Italy | VAT
April 07, 2025
Italy Targets Meta, X, and LinkedIn in Landmark VAT Tax Case
Italy Seeks Nearly €1 Billion in VAT payments from Meta, X, and LinkedIn, Targeting Transactions from 2015 to 2022
By TAXSPOC News Desk
Italy has issued tax demands to Meta, X, and LinkedIn in a historic Value-Added Tax (VAT) claim against major U.S. tech giants.
Previously, reports confirmed that Meta—the parent company of Facebook and Instagram—and Elon Musk’s social platform X were under investigation for alleged tax fraud. However, it has now emerged that Microsoft’s LinkedIn is also involved in Italy’s pioneering VAT case targeting the digital sector in Europe.
The Italian authorities are pursuing tax payments of 887.6 million euros ($961 million) from Meta, 12.5 million euros from X, and approximately 140 million euros from LinkedIn. The investigation covers transactions spanning from 2015-2016 to 2021-2022, though the current tax notice focuses on 2015 and 2016 due to the expiration of claims for those years.
This high-profile case comes at a time of heightened trade tensions between the European Union and the United States.
Key Takeaways:
Italy demands nearly €1 billion in VAT from Meta, X, and LinkedIn.
The case could influence digital taxation policies across the European Union.
Investigations span multiple years, but the immediate focus is on 2015-2016.
Trade relations between the EU and the U.S. add to the case’s significance.
This case underscores the increasing scrutiny on tech giants’ tax practices and may pave the way for broader regulatory changes in Europe’s digital taxation framework.
Sources/Recommended Read:
About Authors:
LATAM | Tax Policy
How Regional Cooperation and Exchange of Information (EOI) are Driving Revenue Growth and Fairer Tax Systems.
US | Big 4
Job Cuts Hit Recently Hired and Promotion-Eligible Staff as PwC Adjusts to New Realities
UK | Transfer Pricing
Stakeholders are invited to review the draft legislation and submit their feedback by 11:59pm on 7 July 2025. The consultation follows a 2023 policy review and includes detailed supporting documents, such as explanatory notes and revised statements of practice
Egypt | Tax Policy
Through Its E-Commerce Tax Unit, the Egyptian Tax Authority Engages with Egypt’s Digital Economy and Unveils Legislative Reforms to Support Startups, Freelancers, and Non-Resident Platforms
US | Customs
Donald Trump announces sweeping new tariffs on international movie imports, calling foreign incentives a threat to U.S. film industry jobs and national security.
Egypt | VAT
Egyptian Tax Authority (ETA) Rolls Out a Transparent, Hassle-Free VAT System for Global Providers of Digital and Remote Services.
Italy | VAT
Italy Seeks Nearly €1 Billion in VAT payments from Meta, X, and LinkedIn, Targeting Transactions from 2015 to 2022
Egypt | Tax Policy
Fostering Trust, Partnership, and Business Confidence Through Fair and Efficient Tax Services
Reach your target audience
Contact us at hello@taxspoc.com