US EditionMilan Prosecutors Request Trial for Amazon EU Unit Over €1.2 Billion VAT Evasion
Milan prosecutors accuse Amazon EU of enabling non-EU sellers to evade €1.2 billion VAT on Italian sales between 2019 and 2021, rejecting a prior tax settlement.
- On March 12, Milan prosecutors requested trial for Amazon EU Sarl and four managers over alleged VAT evasion of around 1.2 billion euros, naming the Italian Economy Ministry as offended party.
- Prosecutors say Amazon's platform enabled sales in Italy from tens of thousands of non‑EU sellers, mostly Chinese, without disclosing identities, helping them avoid VAT on 2019–2021 sales.
- Despite the December payment of 527 million euros including interest to Italy's Revenue Agency, Milan prosecutors pressed ahead with a criminal trial request.
- A judge will set a date for a preliminary hearing to decide whether to indict the defendants or dismiss, which could threaten Amazon's business model if upheld, due to VAT being a harmonised EU tax.
- The case sits amid wider probes by EPPO and local authorities, with Milan prosecutors investigating customs fraud and a possible undeclared establishment while Italy's privacy watchdog halted personal data use on February 24.
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39 Articles
The investigation, entrusted to the GDF of Monza, is not the only one on the group founded by Jeff Bezos
The online retailer Amazon is said to have withdrawn VAT of 1.1 billion euros. The Group rejects the allegations.
Italian prosecutors seek trial for Amazon, four execs over alleged $1.4 billion tax evasion
Milan prosecutors are pushing for a trial against Amazon's European arm and four executives. This follows allegations of tax evasion amounting to 1.2 billion euros. Amazon had previously settled a tax dispute with Italy for 527 million euros. Prosecutors are proceeding with the criminal case despite the settlement. The investigation focuses on VAT evasion by non-EU sellers using Amazon's platform.
Amazon had agreed in December to pay 527 million euros, including interest, to the Italian Revenue Agency to settle the tax dispute.
For the accusation has escaped the Iva for approximately 1 billion and 200 million euros (ANSA)
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