Spanish authorities raid Google offices over tax

Re:Spanish authorities raid Google offices over tax by chvid on Thursday June 30, 2016 @08:52AM (#12008136)

I wonder what they expect to find? Or whether it is just a display of force.

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Re:Spanish authorities raid Google offices over tax by dspillett on Thursday June 30, 2016 @09:08AM (#12008221)

> I wonder what they expect to find?

Paperwork that contradicts statements the company has made, which would be shredded long before an inspector's arrival should a more formal appointment be arranged.

> Or whether it is just a display of force.

This is usually a factor in such raids too, but it only works if there is a chance something might be found so they wouldn't do it purely as a show of force.

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Re:Spanish authorities raid Google offices over tax by comboy on Thursday June 30, 2016 @09:59AM (#12008557)

So, I'm not an expert in tax evasion, but if you give false statements to the tax office, why would you keep statements that can bring you down on paper in your office?

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Re:Spanish authorities raid Google offices over tax by dspillett on Thursday June 30, 2016 @11:39AM (#12009288)

Business as usual.

The false statements are saying that "business as usual" is something else.

If BaU isn't something else then the statement isn't false and there is nothing to find (the paperwork will match the statements made).

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Re:Spanish authorities raid Google offices over tax by dr_swe on Thursday June 30, 2016 @08:55AM (#12008156)

"The Paris raid aimed to establish whether Google Ireland has a permanent base there, and whether the firm was meeting its tax obligations. It was part of a probe into aggravated tax fraud and organized laundering of the proceeds."

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