EU considering probe into Facebook’s European tax arrangements

The EU is considering a probe into Facebook’s European tax arrangements, with Ireland’s tax treatment of multinationals again in the spotlight, Politico reported.

Politico cited a former Irish official as saying the EU requested documents relating to the social media giant’s business here, as part of a trawl of a number of companies including Apple.

The probe would be spearheaded by Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager.

But one Politico source predicted the Commission wouldn’t find enough material for a formal investigation to be opened.

Facebook declined to comment.

The Department of FInance said: “The European Commission has been gathering information from all EU Member States on tax rulings since 2014.  So far, it has examined over 1,000 rulings across Europe.

“This exercise has been ongoing since this time and has not been limited to Ireland.  Ireland has always co-operated in respect of these requests and will continue to do so.

“It is not appropriate to comment on the nature of such requests, as such enquiries are a confidential correspondence between Ireland and the Commission.”

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