Oil and gas giant Shell has appealed against a decision by the Australian tax authorities. The tax authority suggests that Shell should pay back a tax benefit received. According to reports, Shell has an additional tax of 755 million Australian dollars, about 455 million euros, over the head.
The tax regulation relates to the Browse gas field, which is yet to be developed. The Australian tax authorities have been in dispute for six years with Shell’s local division over a $ 2.2 billion Australian dollar tax settlement, the Guardian newspaper reported earlier.
Shell claims to be entitled to exemption, as can be deduced from the appeal submitted. The company indicates that it is cooperating with the Australian tax authorities. According to Shell, this concerns the confirmation of tax arrangements after the acquisition of a stake in the Browse project by Shell in 2012. Shell emphasized that the company complies with all its legal and tax obligations according to the letter and spirit of the law in all countries in which the company operates.
The tax authorities in Australia say they cannot comment on legal issues in specific cases. It is known that in recent years the tax authorities have acted harder and harder against multinationals that may evade taxes.
Earlier, mining company BHP settled 529 million Australian dollars with the tax authorities. Raw material giant Glencore recently lost a case. It was about whether or not the tax authorities can use leaked documents in a possible investigation into the company’s affairs.
