Placed in tax adjustment, Booking.com signs an agreement of 153 million euros with the French tax authorities

Europe1 .fr with AFP 12:03 p.m., January 25, 2023

The Dutch hotel booking platform Booking.com announced on Wednesday that it had reached an "amicable agreement" with the French tax authorities providing for the payment of 153 million euros for a tax adjustment covering the period 2006-2018.

"As a Dutch group paying taxes in the Netherlands, we maintain that we are and have always been in good standing with French taxation, and we are satisfied to confirm that we have reached an amicable agreement with the French tax authorities", said the European leader in online booking, confirming information from the L'Informé site.

The agreement does not cover the accounting years from 2018 to 2022. The Directorate General of Public Finances (DGFiP) did not, as usual, wish to comment on the information, which is covered by tax secrecy. 

A first recovery to 356 million euros

Founded in the Netherlands in 1996, Booking.com, a subsidiary of the American giant Priceline Group since 2005, had been the subject of an initial audit relating to its activities in France over a period between 2003 and 2012. In 2016, the platform had been notified of a recovery of 356 million euros by the French tax authorities, with whom it then negotiated to reach an agreement.

"At Booking.com, we strive to ensure that our business complies with the law of all the countries in which we operate. This includes our willingness to pay all applicable taxes and duties that rests with us," Booking.com said in a statement, saying it was "satisfied" with the resolution.

The headquarters of the platform is in the Netherlands, a country whose taxation for companies is more advantageous than that of other European countries.

It has been established in France since 2001, with several local offices, and offers accommodation all over the world.