Tax authorities in France have demanded €1.6 billion (£1.27bn) in backdated taxes from Google.
That figure is roughly 10x more than HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) secured in its settlement with the internet giant, a deal which was criticised by MPs yesterday (Thursday).
Google chief executive Sundar Pichai is in Paris next week and is due to meet French economy minister Emmanuel Macron. French news agency AFP reported that a deal could be struck for Google to pay a reduced amount, but French Finance Minister Michel Sapin has previously ruled out coming to any agreement with the search giant.
Google is one of several multi-national corporations to have their tax arrangements criticised and placed under intense scrutiny. It's arrangement means it pays corporation tax in Ireland, where the rate is smaller, even on sales made in the UK.
European authorities are currently investigating whether or not these tax arrangements amount to state aid, which is illegal. Starbucks and Fiat Chrysler have already been ordered to pay £22 million after their tax breaks were ruled to be illegal.
