"Italy seizes $131 mln from Amazon over alleged tax, labour offences", 23 July 2024

Italy's tax police have seized some 121 million euros ($131 million) from an Italian unit of...Amazon, as part of an investigation into alleged tax fraud and illegal labour practices, prosecutors' documents showed...

...the Milan Prosecutors' Office accuses the logistic services unit Amazon Italia Transport of circumventing labour and tax laws, relying on cooperatives or limited liability companies that supplied workers while omitting VAT tax duties and reducing social security payments.

Prosecutors allege such a system enabled the Amazon unit to keep the prices of its services competitive in the Italian market.

Amazon said it had adhered to the necessary rules.

"We comply with all applicable laws and regulations where we operate, and require companies who work with us to do the same...We will continue to help the relevant authorities with their inquiries," Amazon said in a statement...