Google Tax Settlement Too Small, Says UK Parliamentary Committee

A UK parliamentary committee says Google's GBP 130 million ($183 million or roughly Rs. 1,255 crores) tax settlement seems disproportionately small given the size of the company's operations in Britain.

But the Public Accounts Committee said Wednesday it is not possible to say whether the deal was fair to taxpayers.

The assessment came after the committee grilled the head of the company's European operations, Matt Brittin earlier this month. The heated session tapped into public anger over multinational corporations that operate in Britain but have tax bases elsewhere. Britain is revising its international tax rules.

The committee says UK tax authorities should "lead the way" in pressing for international tax changes to "prevent aggressive avoidance," by multinational companies.

It urged tax authorities to re-open the investigation if "relevant new evidence becomes available."