Chair's statement on corporate tax deals

"The news that Google is paying 10 years back tax vindicates the Public Accounts Committee's vigorous pursuit of international companies that were running rings around tax officials. We were shocked to learn of workarounds of the tax system that were considered normal behaviour by big corporations but which appalled the individual taxpayer.

HMRC now needs to assure taxpayers that it will keep up the pressure to tackle whatever the next emerging issue is in real time, rather than years later. It is effectively admitting it pulled in too little tax from Google for nine out of ten years. This is not a great success rate and the Public Accounts Committee will be calling in HMRC and Google to explain."

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

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