France is reportedly demanding that Google pay 1.6 billion Euros in back taxes.<br />Reuters cited an anonymous official at the finance ministry who said, "As far as our country is concerned, back taxes concerning this company amount to 1.6 billion euros."<br />This news comes just weeks after Google settled with the UK government at $185 million for its tax optimization practices.<br />Internet companies have long irked European governments for generating enormous profits in their nations while maintaining a "permanent establishment" in places like Ireland, where they are subject to a far smaller tax base.
