Hi Alpe. This is my first time posting in the thread but I think I can help you understand this. The simple answer is that G.E. has done what the US tax system is incentivizing American companies to do, It moved most of its business overseas. If business is done overseas, it gets taxed overseas and not here. Since tax rates are much more business friendly overseas, it "makes business sense" to do it. Lots of other companies are moving that direction as well.
Also, a huge part of GE's taxless year is that GE Capital tanked, causing big losses, which companies can use to offset income for taxes. These losses can be used over multiple years until they are gone, If you look at GE's financials for the last couple of years, (I haven't but I'm pretty sure I'm right here) you will see years with big losses. Those carry over into the good years.
To answer your question, if we lower taxes here, companies will keep business in America.
The one thing I don't understand is why people think Corporations of any kind pay taxes? All they do is shift the tax burden to the consumer. Higher taxes = Higher prices. I can explain in greater detail if you don't understand what I mean.
PS. I'm an accountant with experience in Corporate income tax. Oh and I'm a conservative too.