France Dares to Tax Internet Profits Made in France

They do things differently in France compared to the UK. Two stories caught my eye. Recently the French President gave a speech at which he said everyone must be on a level paying field, including taxes. He made his comments at the Paris offices of an internet company paying taxes in France. It is also reported that the French tax authorities have assessed a large non-EU internet company to €1 billion for unpaid French tax on, I guess, profits generated in France from French users looking at French advertising for French goods or French services. So some connection to France one might think. The company denies it has been assessed and maintains things are routed via various non-French locations. Also the French privacy regulator has fined a non-EU internet company €150,000 for alleged breaches of privacy laws, in response to the company harvesting user date for profit, which the company contests. Whoever is right, as a tax barrister, it interested me that the French authorities were prepared to stand-up and take action. In contrast the UK the Parliamentary public accounts committee complains of the sweetheart deals given to big companies and about the non-EU internet companies.

Eamon McNicholas
Tax Barrister, Accountant


About Eamon McNicholas

Tax Barrister, Accountant
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