France Considering a "Google tax" for Online Ads
France Considering a "Google tax" for Online Ads
Posted 01/07/2010 at 3:58pm
| by Pulkit Chandna
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Google is one of the brightest stars in the tech firmament. But perhaps it would have been nicer for Google had its glow been a touch dimmer. Currently, it is too conspicuous to evade the gaze of authorities and regulators world over – the price of being too big. It once again finds itself caught in the crosshairs of the French government, which isn't too fond of the search engine giant.
The government there plans to tax Google's advertising revenue and use the proceeds for the betterment of arts and crafts being pummeled by the digital revolution. Another ingenious plan is to use the funds to subsidize online music downloads. The idea is to tax every ad click generated by a French citizen.
The new levy being dubbed the “Google Tax” might also affect other players in the online advertising game, according to Patrick Zelnik, the lead author of the government-funded report behind the entire idea. The French government stands to earn $70 million this year, if it chooses to impose the tax. Zelnick is hoping that his committee's suggestions will be able to convince other European nation's as well.
“There is an opportunity here to promote innovative solutions, rather than extending the attitude of opposition between the Internet world and the cultural world, for example through the approach of taxation,” said Olivier Esper, Google France's general director.
Image Credit: Treehugger
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Seana7a7
January 08, 2010 at 11:05am
The French corporation tax rate is 35% Google instead move most of their profits to Ireland where they pay 12.5% corporation tax, france have been moaning about this for years and their trying to get a standard european corporation tax rate.
macumber
January 08, 2010 at 4:23am
Airbus has been largely subsidized by the French governement and Airbus continues to be treated on equal footing with Boeing in competitive RFP's here in the US. Let's not call it an import tarriff. Let's call it a "fair tax" so it sound better. At some point the US government needs to send a message to Europe that we aren't going to let them shake down US companies whenever the mood strikes them. If they want to be inhospitable and protectionist toward US business then we can return the favor. Tax the shit out of Renault/Nissan while we are at it.
opticallog
January 08, 2010 at 9:57am
So the fact that the French government chooses to harm it's own citizens should lead our government to retaliate by harming us? If the French government wants to make their own citizens less prosperous by subsidizing French airplanes so that US airplane-using industries can acquire them below cost, then that's their business, not ours.
MeTo
January 08, 2010 at 5:02am
If Google don't like the idea of the tax they can block the french and there will be no tax.
COMMANDER_COOK
January 08, 2010 at 7:20pm
I love that idea.
Ya know the sayin You tend to take the little things in life forgranted until they're gone.
stige
January 07, 2010 at 9:26pm
Usually a person or business who is taxed receives access to benefits and services from the government that is taxing it.
What service will the French Gov't be providing Google in exchange for this tax?
Taxation without representation, maybe?
MeTo
January 08, 2010 at 10:58am
You are so naive. If governments want TAX they make it law and if you want to do business in there country you will have to pay the tax. You see how that works.
COMMANDER_COOK
January 08, 2010 at 7:17pm
Google could close any ad servers it has in France, then itv won't be conducting business there.
Danthrax66
January 07, 2010 at 8:49pm
They are just proposing this because they are attention whores. The U.S. Should declare war on them just to show how much they don't f'ing matter to anyone. What do they contribute to the world economy? Whining and Bitching about everything American because we are better than them is about the only thing that comes out of France.
LVmonkey
January 09, 2010 at 7:09am
at the moment, from a nation to nation stand point I think I have more respect for their country/culture then the US at the moment. A lot of the damage to the international community, as far as views on america, came on pretty strong under Bush. Maybe that will change... but down there if you mess with your employees they tend to hold their boss for randsom.
Don't see Americans (ehem, enron) employee's taking back their 'freedoms' from corporations in nearly a ballsy fashion.
I do hate their treatment of the internet in general, although.
But really... going on vacation? where would YOU go? US or France... easy choice for me, as a Canuck, if money was not an issue.
COMMANDER_COOK
January 08, 2010 at 3:07am
Fries weren't even invented in France! But I guess they don't need fries because they love to eat their snails.
johnny3144
January 07, 2010 at 6:13pm
[quote=JohnnyCNote]Because why would it make any difference if you aren't? Of course,
there are those who jump at the slightest pretext to bash France, as
well as those who are looking for whatever opportunities may arise to
become outraged. They are often told to "get a life" by those who are
fond of clichés (oh darn, a French word!) . . .[/quote]
then all those who cares for world hunger are those that are starving? just because we aren't involved, doesn't mean we don't care.
WayneW
January 07, 2010 at 6:09pm
This seems to be a good a reason as any to boycott france.
Not that ANYONE would need a reason more than that they're french.
Can anyone translate: "BITE ME, FRENCHY"
LVmonkey
January 09, 2010 at 7:11am
French hate on... Nationalism was a term that used to mean the same thing as fascism... you know that right? Look up what the Nazi's were called on their way into office.
JohnnyCNote
January 07, 2010 at 5:55pm
Because why would it make any difference if you aren't? Of course, there are those who jump at the slightest pretext to bash France, as well as those who are looking for whatever opportunities may arise to become outraged. They are often told to "get a life" by those who are fond of clichés (oh darn, a French word!) . . .
Quakindude
January 07, 2010 at 7:19pm
Well, it certainly doesn't keep the French from bashing things we American's do, now does it?
Hypocrisy anyone?
The French, perhaps more so than any other Nation in recent history, has done more to bring about their ridicule, on an International scale of being rude as hell for no reason, than any Nation should. And the thing is, they like it that way it seems.
It would be PERFECT to me if Google were to simply deny the French access to their search engine. Or any Google provided services.
MaximumPC Moderator
***The views I express are my own and do not represent the views of MaximumPC Magazine or Future US.***
Quakindude
January 07, 2010 at 5:19pm
Next time the French are invaded and overtaken by a government, PLEASE allow that government to keep them!
France needs their ass kicked, again. Never have I seen a country who has begged to be rescued, begged to be understood and, supported by tourist revenue, be so friggin obtuse and arrogant.
As a matter of patriotic pride, I kick the ass of any French person I meet. More people should get into this habit.
MaximumPC Moderator
***The views I express are my own and do not represent the views of MaximumPC Magazine or Future US.***
I Jedi
January 07, 2010 at 4:54pm
See, France, this is why no one likes you. The Brits have been hating you folks since 1066 A.D.
baskinghobo
January 07, 2010 at 5:17pm
C'mon man. I hate this too but you can't hate all people in france because of this. This was by the government and not the people.
bigm0ney13
January 07, 2010 at 4:46pm
For some reason it just feels wrong to be taxed because your popular. Next thing you know there gonna want to start taxing the NFL for the Super Bowl.
nekollx
January 08, 2010 at 8:59am
I say tax breathing, everyone does it!
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