Case Overview
In Google France (CAA Paris, 25 April 2019), the Paris Administrative Court of Appeal (9th chamber) dismissed the Minister’s five appeals and confirmed the first-instance judgments (TA Paris, 12 July 2017) cancelling reassessments issued to Google Ireland Limited for 2005–2010. The court held that Google Ireland had no French permanent establishment (PE) under the France–Ireland tax treaty and no French VAT “fixed establishment”.
Key Facts
- Google Ireland Limited (Dublin) contracted with French business customers for the AdWords online advertising service (CAA Paris, n°17PA03067, pt 6).
- Google France SARL provided marketing/sales support under a Marketing and Services Agreement signed in 2002 and assigned to Google Ireland in 2004 (n°17PA03067, pt 5).
- Google France was remunerated on a cost reimbursement + 8% margin basis (n°17PA03067, pt 5).
- Following audits conducted in 2010–2012, the tax authority asserted Google Ireland carried on business in France and issued reassessments covering 2005–2010 (n°17PA03067, pt 1).
- The Paris Administrative Tribunal discharged corporate tax, VAT, withholding tax and local tax reassessments by five judgments dated 12 July 2017; the Minister appealed, and the CAA ruled in five decisions dated 25 April 2019 (CAA Paris press release, 25 Apr 2019).
The Dispute
Corporate income tax / treaty PE
Under the France–Ireland treaty (21 March 1968), France could tax Google Ireland’s business profits only if attributable to a French PE. The Minister’s primary theory was a dependent-agent PE through Google France, requiring (i) an agent that is not independent and (ii) that habitually exercises powers enabling it to conclude contracts in the name of the foreign enterprise (treaty art. 2(9)(c), as applied in n°17PA03067, pts 3–4).
The Minister argued that, in practice—especially in the DSO (Direct Sales Organization) channel—Google France staff negotiated key elements and effectively secured advertiser commitments, while Ireland’s signature was merely formal.
Alternatively, the Minister claimed a fixed place PE existed because Google Ireland allegedly had an “installation fixe d’affaires” in France via Google France’s premises and personnel (n°17PA03067, pt 4).
VAT “fixed establishment”
For VAT, the dispute turned on whether Google Ireland was “established” in France through a structure with sufficient human and technical resources to supply services autonomously (CAA Paris, n°17PA03069, pts 3–4). The administration relied on Google France’s personnel and alleged technical presence; Google Ireland argued the French resources could not deliver the AdWords service end-to-end.
Holding
The Court dismissed the appeals and confirmed discharge of the reassessments.
Dependent-agent PE: dependence accepted, but no power to bind
For corporate income tax, the CAA accepted that Google France did not have independent status, emphasising its legal/economic dependence, exclusive activity for Google Ireland, and cost-plus 8% remuneration (n°17PA03067, pt 5).
However, the court held Google France did not habitually exercise powers to bind Google Ireland in contract. The service agreement expressly denied authority to sign/accept contracts (pt 7), and AdWords contracts became effective only on Google Ireland’s acceptance. On the facts, Google Ireland systematically reviewed contracts, had refused to sign some, and campaigns were put online only after signature by Google Ireland (pt 11). The court also rejected arguments based on French “sale” rules, characterising AdWords contracts as services/work (“louage d’ouvrage”) rather than sales of advertising space (pt 14).
Fixed place PE: premises not “at the disposal” of Google Ireland
The CAA rejected a fixed place PE: Google France’s premises and staff were at the disposal of Google France for its own service-provider activity under the service agreement, not at Google Ireland’s disposal (n°17PA03067, pt 16).
VAT: no French fixed establishment
For VAT, the court held Google France staff could neither legally bind Google Ireland nor put ads online themselves; and Google’s core technical infrastructure (data centres/servers) was outside France, while any French network equipment was merely auxiliary (n°17PA03069, pts 11–12). Therefore Google Ireland was not “established” in France for VAT purposes.
Takeaways for Practitioners
- Authority is decisive: even where a local affiliate is found “dependent,” PE exposure still turned on whether it habitually exercised powers to bind the foreign entity (n°17PA03067, pts 5, 15).
- Align contracts and conduct: the court relied heavily on operational evidence (systematic Ireland review, refusals, go-live after signature) rather than contract wording alone (pt 11).
- Fixed place “at disposal” matters: using a local subsidiary’s premises for its own service activity did not equate to premises being at the foreign principal’s disposal (pt 16).
- VAT fixed establishment needs autonomous capacity: mapping where the service is technically delivered (and by whom) remains central; “auxiliary” network equipment may be insufficient (n°17PA03069, pt 12).
- Post-BEPS caution: this case applied the treaty’s pre-BEPS dependent-agent wording (power to conclude contracts). Groups should reassess under any updated treaty language (e.g., “principal role” concepts where applicable).
Related Content
For practical guidance on documenting functions, risks, and contractual authority in cross-border structures, see Transfer Pricing Documentation Guide. For the conceptual baseline underlying intra-group remuneration (e.g., cost-plus support arrangements), revisit the Arm’s Length Principle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why is this often called the “Google France” case if the judgments concern Google Ireland Limited?
Because the alleged French taxable presence was said to arise through the French subsidiary (Google France SARL), even though the reassessments and appeals were against Google Ireland Limited.
Q2. Did the court find Google France was a dependent agent?
Yes on independence: the CAA found Google France lacked independent status, but held it did not have and habitually exercise powers enabling it to bind Google Ireland in contracts (CAA Paris, n°17PA03067, pts 5 and 15).
Q3. What evidence mattered most on "authority to conclude contracts"?
The court focused on conduct: Google Ireland reviewed contracts before signature, could refuse them, and campaigns went live only after Ireland's signature/acceptance (n°17PA03067, pt 11).