US tax authorities claim Microsoft owes them $29bn in back taxes, tech giant refutes allegations

In a significant development, the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has called upon Microsoft to settle a substantial tax bill of $29 billion for unpaid taxes spanning the years 2004 to 2013, according to an official statement released by the tech company on Wednesday. Microsoft vehemently disagrees with the IRS’s proposed adjustments and is prepared to contest the demand vigorously. The dispute is expected to unfold through the IRS’s administrative appeals process and, if necessary, may proceed to legal proceedings. The crux of the matter, as explained in a blog post by Microsoft, revolves around the company’s financial practices involving the transfer of revenue across international borders during the specified period. This practice, known as cost-sharing, is employed by numerous major multinational corporations to align with the global nature of their operations. Microsoft asserts that its actions have been in strict compliance with IRS regulations and that legal precedent supports its position. The company acknowledges that the appeals process with the IRS is likely to be protracted and, should it prove unsuccessful, they are fully prepared to take the matter to court. Microsoft attributes the genesis of the IRS’s claim to ongoing discussions spanning a decade, which aimed to address queries regarding the allocation of income and expenses for tax years dating back to 2004. The company has undergone structural and operational changes since the period covered by the IRS audit, rendering the concerns raised by the tax authority pertinent to the past rather than reflective of their present practices. Notably, Microsoft points out that they have dutifully paid over $67 billion in taxes to the US since 2004. The issue of financial practices within large US tech companies has long presented a challenge to regulatory authorities. Governments have consistently alleged that firms like Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft engage in the strategic shifting of revenue to low-tax or tax-free jurisdictions to minimize their tax obligations in their primary markets and maximize profits. This ongoing issue led to the formation of a significant international accord, facilitated by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The agreement, involving 140 countries, seeks to enhance the fair distribution and regulation of tax revenue generated by these corporate giants. Recently, the OECD unveiled a draft agreement to implement this accord, with the hope of securing ratification by the end of the year.