EU: Vestager wades into Google UK tax row

European Union antitrust regulators said on Thursday they would examine a complaint from the Scottish National Party (SNP) about Internet group Google’s back tax deal with British tax authorities.

The 1$185 million settlement, announced on Friday, was hailed by the UK government as a major success but dismissed as “derisory” by the opposition Labour Party and criticized by other parties.

The European Commission itself took aim on Thursday at tax avoidance by multinationals, proposing that EU states be allowed to tax corporate profits at home in some circumstances even if the money has been transferred elsewhere to avoid such payments.

“Specifically concerning Google’s tax treatment in the UK, the Commission can confirm it has received a letter from a member of the Scottish National Party on this matter,” the EU’s competition enforcer said in an email.

“The Commission will look at it and issues raised, as with all letters received from stakeholders.”

The letter calling for a probe was sent by SNP deputy leader Stewart Hosie.

Talking to Sky News, he said it was important “proper investigations are carried out and she (European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager) can either give them a clean bill of health or not.”

Full content: The Financial Times

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