EU tax probes on Apple, Amazon, Starbucks at advanced stage: European Commission

By

EU regulators' investigations into the low tax arrangements of Apple (AAPL.O), Starbucks (SBUX.O) and Amazon (AMZN.O) in some member states are at an advanced stage and decisions could be announced in the coming months, a senior European Commission official said on Thursday.

The investigations centre on Luxembourg's tax rulings for online retailer Amazon and carmaker Fiat Chrysler (FCHA.MI), as well as coffee chain Starbucks' deal with the Netherlands and iPhone maker Apple's Irish arrangements, and whether the companies are paying a fair share of tax.

"The cases are advancing very well. I expect decisions to be taken in the not so distant future," Gert-Jan Koopman, deputy director general at the Commission, told a conference.

European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said last month she would not be able to meet a second quarter deadline as targeted and would not set another deadline for her decision.

The global financial crisis and cash-strapped governments have spurred a crackdown on tax avoidance and prompted complaints that deals which help companies cut their tax bills to a minimal level may give them an unfair advantage in breach of EU rules.

The European Commission is also investigating Belgium's tax arrangements for multinationals and on Thursday it opened a formal antitrust investigation into Amazon's e-book business.

Tags
European Commission, Amazon
Join the Discussion
More News
Trump-Appointed Judge Orders Return Of Another Migrant Deported To El Salvador Claiming It Violates a Settlement

Detroit Uber Eats Driver Sent to El Salvador After Making a Wrong Turn While Delivering McDonald's

Joeylin

Teen Dead After Falling Through the Ceiling of After-School Facility While Exploring the Attic Unsupervised

Charles Read

Paralyzed Man Arrested Despite Ex-Girlfriend Saying He Fled Alleged Attack on Foot, Kicked in Her Door

Meteorologist Extortion_04242025_1

Virginia Weatherman Threatened to Release Sex Tape Recorded Without Victim's Knowledge: Police