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Google's Paris HQ raided in tax probe | Google's Paris HQ raided in tax probe |
(about 2 hours later) | |
French finance officials have raided the Paris offices of US internet giant Google as part of a tax fraud investigation. | French finance officials have raided the Paris offices of US internet giant Google as part of a tax fraud investigation. |
Reports say about 100 tax officials entered Google's offices in central Paris early in the morning. | Reports say about 100 tax officials entered Google's offices in central Paris early in the morning. |
Police sources confirmed the raid. Google said: "We comply with French law and are co-operating fully with the authorities to answer their questions." | |
Google is accused of owing €1.6bn ($1.8bn; £1.3bn) in unpaid taxes. | |
UK deal struck | UK deal struck |
The tax arrangements of international companies have come under close scrutiny recently. | The tax arrangements of international companies have come under close scrutiny recently. |
Several have been accused of using legal methods to minimise their tax bills. | Several have been accused of using legal methods to minimise their tax bills. |
In Google's case, its tax structure allows it to pay tax in the Republic of Ireland, even when sales appear to relate to the UK. | In Google's case, its tax structure allows it to pay tax in the Republic of Ireland, even when sales appear to relate to the UK. |
In January, it struck a deal with UK tax authorities to pay an extra £130m in tax for the period from 2005, but that deal was heavily criticised. | In January, it struck a deal with UK tax authorities to pay an extra £130m in tax for the period from 2005, but that deal was heavily criticised. |
The UK Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said the £130m settlement "seems disproportionately small", compared with the size of its UK business. | The UK Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said the £130m settlement "seems disproportionately small", compared with the size of its UK business. |
'Country-by-country' | 'Country-by-country' |
Europe's competition authorities have been examining whether some deals struck by big companies with national tax authorities amount to illegal state aid. | Europe's competition authorities have been examining whether some deals struck by big companies with national tax authorities amount to illegal state aid. |
In April, the EU unveiled plans to force large companies to disclose more about their tax affairs. | In April, the EU unveiled plans to force large companies to disclose more about their tax affairs. |
They will have to declare publicly how much tax they pay in each EU country as well as any activities carried out in specific tax havens. | They will have to declare publicly how much tax they pay in each EU country as well as any activities carried out in specific tax havens. |
The rules on "country-by-country reporting" would affect multinational firms with more than €750m in sales. | The rules on "country-by-country reporting" would affect multinational firms with more than €750m in sales. |
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