On February 20th, news emerged that the American internet giant Google had paid an additional EUR 326 million in back taxes to the Italian tax authorities. In response, the Milan Public Prosecutor's Office submitted an application to the judge to conclude the investigation into Google's tax evasion case. The investigation revealed that Google had failed to declare and pay taxes on income generated in Italy between 2015 and 2019. Notably, in 2017, Google had already paid EUR 306 million in back taxes to the Italian tax authorities for income not declared and paid over the previous 15 years.
This latest payment by Google indicates a continued commitment to addressing its tax obligations in Italy. The Italian government has been cracking down on tax evasion by multinational corporations, and Google's decision to pay the additional taxes could be seen as a move to avoid potential legal disputes and maintain its positive relationship with the Italian authorities. With the Milan Public Prosecutor's Office seeking to conclude the investigation, it appears that Google has taken steps to resolve the issue and avoid further scrutiny.
