Facebook and Google avoid €5.4bn of EU tax through Ireland

A report by European Parliament lawmakers said the current rules are no longer fit for purpose

Google and Facebook were able to save up to €5.4 billion in European corporation tax payments by routing profits through their Irish subsidiaries, according to a report by European Parliament lawmakers.

The report said the current rules are no longer fit for purpose and they encourage firms to engage in international “tax planning aimed at avoiding taxes”.

The authors, MEPs Paul Tang and Henri Bussink, specifically looked at the taxes paid by Facebook ...