Germany Considers 10% Tax on Major Online Platforms Like Google and Facebook

Germany is considering a new 10% tax on major online platforms such as Google and Facebook under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Political factions in the country reportedly struck a deal earlier this year to pursue these fees for digital service companies. The proposed tax aims to address concerns that these corporations benefit significantly from Germany's infrastructure and cultural output while paying little in taxes. Germany's Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer stated these corporations do billions in business in Germany with extremely high profit margins. They benefit enormously from the country's media and cultural output as well as its infrastructure. However, they pay hardly any taxes, invest too little, and give far too little back to society. Several other countries, including Britain, France, Italy, Spain, Turkey, India, Austria, and Canada, have explored or enacted similar taxes on online revenue generated by large tech companies, according to Reuters. If passed, the German tax could potentially face retaliation from the US government.