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EU considering probe of Google tax deal in UK EU considering probe of Google tax deal in UK
(about 1 hour later)
LONDON — The European Union’s competition commissioner says she would consider investigating the 130 million pound ($186 million) deal for back taxes struck between Britain and Google amid fury among opposition lawmakers who suggest the Internet giant should have paid more. LONDON — The European Union could investigate the 130 million pound ($186 million) deal for back taxes struck between Britain and Google after furious opposition lawmakers suggested the Internet giant should have paid more.
Margrethe Vestager told BBC on Thursday it was too soon to say whether a probe would be launched. She said the EU “will take a look” if appropriate concerns are brought to her attention. Margrethe Vestager told the BBC on Thursday it was too soon to say whether a probe would be launched. She said the EU “will take a look” if appropriate concerns are brought to her attention.
The Scottish National Party in the U.K. asked for such an investigation. “If we find there is something to be concerned about, if someone writes to us and says this is maybe not as it should be, then we will take a look,” Vestager said
The Scottish National Party in the U.K. asked for such an investigation on Wednesday, with the deputy party leader Stewart Hosie arguing that the public was skeptical about the settlement.
“Considering the lack of transparency in the settlement reached between HMRC and Google, and the growing concerns of an opaque methodology having been employed, it is my view that an independent verification of this settlement would establish confidence that the settlement is within the boundaries of state aid regulations and is a fair deal for the taxpayers of the United Kingdom,” he wrote.
Vestager’s spokesman, Ricardo Cardoso said later that “we will look into it and then decide where to move from there.”Vestager’s spokesman, Ricardo Cardoso said later that “we will look into it and then decide where to move from there.”
Writing in the Financial Times, Google’s vice president of communications Peter Barron, insisted the company paid tax at the standard corporate rate of 20 percent. Writing in the Financial Times, Google’s vice president of communications, Peter Barron, insisted the company paid tax at the standard corporate rate of 20 percent.
“Governments make tax law, the tax authorities independently enforce the law, and Google complies with the law,” he wrote.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.