Tech giants to testify against digital tax
Alphabet Inc’s Google, Facebook and Amazon.com among companies that will testify
The logos of Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google are seen in a combination photo from Reuters files. PHOTO: REUTERS
WASHINGTON:
Alphabet Inc’s Google, Facebook and Amazon.com are among the companies that will testify on Monday at a US government hearing on the French government’s digital services tax.
In July, the French Senate approved a 3% levy that will apply to revenue from digital services earned in France by companies with more than €25 million in French revenue and €750 million ($838 million) worldwide.
The US Trade Representative’s Office in July opened a probe into the new tax it called “unreasonable”. The office could issue new tariffs on French goods or other trade restrictions after the public comment period closes on August 26.
G20 agrees to push ahead with digital tax
Amazon’s International Tax Policy Director Peter Hiltz said in a written testimony for the USTR hearing that more than 10,000 French-based small and medium-sized businesses are selling on Amazon’s online stores and notified them that certain fees will increase by 3% for sales made on Amazon.fr starting October 1.
He added that “US products and services sold through Amazon’s online store in France will cost more as a result” of the tax.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 15th, 2019.
Alphabet Inc’s Google, Facebook and Amazon.com are among the companies that will testify on Monday at a US government hearing on the French government’s digital services tax.
In July, the French Senate approved a 3% levy that will apply to revenue from digital services earned in France by companies with more than €25 million in French revenue and €750 million ($838 million) worldwide.
The US Trade Representative’s Office in July opened a probe into the new tax it called “unreasonable”. The office could issue new tariffs on French goods or other trade restrictions after the public comment period closes on August 26.
G20 agrees to push ahead with digital tax
Amazon’s International Tax Policy Director Peter Hiltz said in a written testimony for the USTR hearing that more than 10,000 French-based small and medium-sized businesses are selling on Amazon’s online stores and notified them that certain fees will increase by 3% for sales made on Amazon.fr starting October 1.
He added that “US products and services sold through Amazon’s online store in France will cost more as a result” of the tax.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 15th, 2019.