UK MPs grill Google over Irish-based tax companies

UK MPs accused Google yesterday of trying to fool Britons into believing it was a proponent of tax reform while remaining a prime beneficiary of loopholes in existing rules, and said if it was sincere the company would be more transparent over its tax affairs.

Google’s president for Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), Matt Brittin, told the UK parliamentary Public Accounts Committee the company had paid all the tax that it should, but wanted the international tax system reformed.

However, Stewart Jackson, a Conservative member of the committee, questioned claims the company was trying to be open about its affairs.