The Italian tax authorities called for the Meta, X and LinkedIn tax claims, according to Reuters report on Wednesday, citing four sources familiar with the matter. The issue will become the first attempt in the jurisdiction of the European Union (EU) to implement value -added tax laws on social media platforms that provide free services in exchange for user data.
Italy is seeking 887.6 million euros (961 million dollars) as taxes of definition, 12.5 million euros from X, and about 140 million euros from LinkedIn.
For every Reuters, the numbers represent the entire period under investigationWhich varies by company, but extends from 2015-2016 to 2021-2022. However, the current tax evaluation only covers 2015 and 2016, as claims for those years are scheduled to end.
Why the Italian tax authorities want to pay the fees
The issue is on a legal argument that when users register on platforms such as Facebook, X or LinkedIn, they actively participate in the treatment of barter. Under the VAT law in the European Union, taxable transactions require a display of goods or services to consider them.
The Italian authorities are convinced that users are providing unstable considers by providing personal data in exchange for access to social media platforms, making the transaction subject to value -added tax.
Meta and X investigations were previously reported due lonliness In the case, it was not publicly known.
Mark Zuckerberg and his team have not yet commented on the details of the cases, but they insisted that they would fully cooperate with the authorities in accordance with local laws and local laws. The company also opposed the idea that providing access to online platforms should be subject to VAT.
LinkedIn told Reuters that “there is nothing to participate in this time.” Elon Musk and X did not make any statement on this issue as well.
Legal procedures with major repercussions
Legal and tax experts suggest that if Italy’s approach is supported, it may affect many companies that maintain user data through the European Union, including airlines, supermarkets and publishers. Any company links for free Services To collect data may face similar tax obligations.
The three social media companies have 60 days to appeal before the judicial process officially begins. If they request a settlement proposal from the tax authorities, they will be given an additional month, during which three results can be followed.
One of the options is to challenge companies in court claims, a process that may take up to a decade of time, given the three levels of the three levels in Italy. Another possibility is to drop the Italian revenue agency, either for technical reasons or due to political considerations.
Instead, a partial settlement and payments can be reached as Italy seeks to rule from the European Commission on a more specific legal framework.
Italy freezes stars negotiations
Elon Musk, CEO of Elon Musk, ITALY CEO and Starlink LLC, although he may soon be transformed due to trade Tariff wars Between the European Union and the United States. Italian Defense Secretary Guido Crosetto confirmed in an interview with La Repubblica on March 22 that Italy had stopped negotiations with Spacex on the possible star agreement.
According to the Ukrainian local news port, European officials Fearful The United States can use Starlink to damage Kyiv’s hand to the decisions of Russia’s preference and deal with the reported minerals with Washington.
On March 9, Musk denied that Starlink would be cut off from Ukraine, where he clashed with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslao Sikorsky because of the legitimacy of these concerns.
“In order to be very clear, regardless of how much it differed with Ukraine’s policy, Starlink will not turn off its stations“Musk’s edifice.
Earlier this year, the Italian government was supporting Starlink, but the political opposition came out of the discussions. “It seems to me that everything has stopped … The topic has moved from Starlink to a person’s data and aroundCrosto said.
The negotiations are now suspended, and the Italian government wants security considerations in its defensive contracts that were heard before the conclusion of any deal.
“When controversy and times calm down, there will be an artistic approach“The Italian Minister of Defense is calculated.
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