As another user replied to me, I was wrong when I asserted the first line about "companies legally and ethical responsibility". However I still think my conclusion stands that any company should do what it can under the law to not pay taxes it doesn't owe.
I know if i have a deduction that I can legally take on my own taxes I don't even consider for a second whether or not it's a good deduction for the country, I just say the law says I can take it, so I take it. I don't feel good or bad about it, I didn't write the law.
Today congress said Apple had broken no law and under oath Tim Cook said he believed Apple acted ethically.
>What about legal and ethical responsibilities to employees, customers, community, and environment?
Companies are there to make money. Full stop. Those other things only come into it when it's in the company's best interest, (Which I think it often is.) Charities are there to help with those other things, and for there selflessness, they don't have to pay federal tax.