The major international tax reform of the digital giants, initiated for months following the agreement obtained in October 2021 under the leadership of the OECD, is slow to materialize.
And the calendar is still likely to be extended.
On the eve of a meeting of finance ministers and central bankers of the G20 countries, this weekend in India, Bruno Le Maire deplored the persistence of an immobilization.
“
Things are blocked, especially by the United States, Saudi Arabia and India.
We will plead for a release
”, affirmed the French Minister of the Economy, while acknowledging that the “
chances of success are slim
”.
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The international tax reform is based on two pillars: the establishment of a global minimum tax of 15% - on which there is now a consensus - and a change in the tax rules on the distribution of the surplus profits of multinationals (in all sectors and not only digital) between the so-called "consumer" countries, where the turnover is generated, and the countries of residence of the head offices.
“European implementation”
It is on this aspect, via the establishment of a multilateral convention, that the negotiations are stymied.
There are difficulties with the United States and Saudi Arabia on “
the field of exemptions concerning extractive activities
”, specifies Bercy.
India, for its part, is above all seeking to improve the mechanism to enable developing countries to strengthen their tax capacities.
Bruno Le Maire recalled: "
We have always indicated that if the G20 and OECD countries were not able to agree on a practical implementation of digital taxation, we would plead for its European implementation.
I think we are there.
France
was one of the first countries to introduce a national tax on large digital companies, which brings in some 700 million euros per year.
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On the minimum tax at 15%, "
things have progressed well
", commented the tenant of Bercy.
This taxation could be put in place “
in the coming months”
.
