EU set to hit tech giants Facebook and Google with new taxes
Proposals aim to tax revenue from digital activities which ‘escape the current tax framework’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.US tech giants such as Google, Facebook and Amazon are set to be hit with new taxes as part of a crackdown by the European Commission.
Under proposals tabled on Wednesday, which aim to ensure digital firms are taxed in a “fair and growth-friendly way”, the Commission plans to impose a 3 per cent levy on revenues of the biggest players.
The tax would apply to sales from digital activities that “escape the current tax framework”, and will affect companies with total annual worldwide revenues of at least €750m (£658m) and EU revenues of a minimum €50m.
The Commission expects the change to generate an estimated €5bn for member states if the tax is applied.
In addition, the Commission has proposed that corporate tax rules be reformed so that profits are registered and taxed where businesses have “significant interaction with users through digital channels”, rather than in low tax jurisdictions.
This plank would relate to any country where a firm’s annual revenue exceeds €7m, or which has more than 100,000 users or more than 3,000 digital service business contracts in a tax year.
Pierre Moscovici, commissioner for tax, said: “The digital economy is a major opportunity for Europe, and Europe is a huge source of revenues for digital firms.
“But this win-win situation raises legal and fiscal concerns. Our pre-internet rules do not allow our member states to tax digital companies operating in Europe when they have little or no physical presence here.
“This represents an ever-bigger black hole for member states, because the tax base is being eroded. That’s why we’re bringing forward a new legal standard as well an interim tax for digital activities.”
The changes come at a sensitive time for US-EU relations, with the threat of an all-out trade war in the offing.
The European Union’s competition commissioner, Margrethe Vestager, has previously put the tax affairs of a number of high-profile targets, including Amazon and Google, under the microscope. In 2016 she slapped Apple with a €13bn tax bill.
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments