DHAKA: Google has agreed to pay £130m in back taxes after an "open audit" of its accounts by the UK tax authorities.

The company had been accused of "not paying its fair share" of tax, and criticised for complex tax structures, reports the BBC.

Senior figures at the technology company have said that they want to draw a line under the issue.

"Today we announced that we are going to be paying more tax in the UK," said Matt Brittin, the head of Google Europe.

"The rules are changing internationally and the UK government is taking the lead in applying those rules so we'll be changing what we are doing here.

"We want to ensure that we pay the right amount of tax."

Google's move comes after a six-year inquiry by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

It acted after controversy over the low level of taxes paid by multinational companies that operate in the UK but are headquartered abroad.

Despite the UK being one of Google's biggest markets, it paid £20.4m in taxes in 2013.

The value of its sales in Britain that year was £3.8bn.

BDST: 1020 HRS, JAN 23, 2016
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