Netflix Under Scrutiny: European Tax Raid

Tax Authorities Target Netflix in France, Netherlands

“Co-operation between the French and Dutch authorities has been underway for many...”

Netflix under investigation: French, Dutch authorities raid offices over tax fraud, money laundering allegations.

French and Dutch authorities have been collaborating for months on the Netflix investigation.

Investigation Underway

Tax fraud investigators raided Netflix offices in France and the Netherlands as part of a preliminary inquiry into tax fraud and money laundering. The probe, led by France's National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF), targeted Netflix's central Paris office and its European headquarters in Amsterdam.

Details

1. 1. Raid Timing: The simultaneous raids occurred on Tuesday, November 5.
2. Investigating Authorities: France's PNF and Dutch financial crime prosecutors.
3. Allegations: Tax fraud and money laundering.

Response

Netflix representatives in France and the Netherlands declined to comment. The Dutch financial crime prosecutor's office also declined comment, directing inquiries to the PNF.

French and Dutch authorities have been collaborating for months on the Netflix investigation, according to an anonymous French judicial source: “Co-operation between the French and Dutch authorities has been underway for many months as part of these proceedings.”

Notably, preliminary investigations in France don't necessarily lead to criminal charges or trials.

Details about the investigation's catalyst remain unclear. However, European tax authorities frequently challenge major tech companies offering cross-border online services and subscriptions.

This isn't Netflix's first European tax dispute. In 2022, they settled with Italy for €55.8 million.