https://www.reuters.com/world/italian-prosecutors-seek-trial-amazon-four-execs-over-alleged-14-bln-tax-evasion-2026-03-12/ Skip to main content Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionals Learn more aboutRefinitiv * World Browse World + Africa + Americas + Asia Pacific + China + Europe + India + Israel and Hamas at War + Japan + Middle East + Ukraine and Russia at War + United Kingdom + United States + Reuters NEXT New York * Business Browse Business + Aerospace & Defense + Autos & Transportation + Davos + Energy + Environment + Finance + Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals + Media & Telecom + Retail & Consumer + Future of Health + Future of Money + Take Five + World at Work * Markets Browse Markets + On the Money + Watchlist + Asian Markets + Carbon Markets + Commodities + Currencies + Deals + Emerging Markets + ETFs + European Markets + Funds + Econ World + Global Market Data + Rates & Bonds + Stocks + U.S. Markets + Wealth * Sustainability Browse Sustainability + Boards, Policy & Regulation + Climate & Energy + Land Use & Biodiversity + Society & Equity + Sustainable Finance & Reporting + The Switch + Reuters Impact + COP30 * More Legal + Government + Legal Industry + Litigation + Transactional + US Supreme Court Commentary + Breakingviews + ROI: Reuters Open Interest Technology + Artificial Intelligence + Cybersecurity + Space + Disrupted Investigations Sports + Winter Olympics + Athletics + Baseball + Basketball + Cricket + Cycling + Formula 1 + Golf + NFL + NHL + Soccer + Tennis Science Lifestyle + Culture Current City Memo Graphics + Chart of the Week Pictures Wider Image Podcasts + Reuters World News + Reuters Econ World + On Assignment + Viewsroom + The Big View Live Fact Check Video Media Center + Announcements + Awards + Inside the Newsroom + People News Sponsored Content + Reuters Plus + Press Releases Subscribe Exclusive: Italian prosecutors seek trial for Amazon, four execs over alleged $1.4 billion tax evasion By Emilio Parodi March 12, 20262:27 PM UTCUpdated ago * * * * * * * * Workers relax during a break outside Amazon's distribution centre in Passo Corese Workers relax during a break outside Amazon's distribution centre in Passo Corese, Italy March 22, 2021. REUTERS/Remo Casilli/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab * Summary * Companies * Milan prosecutors pursue trial despite Amazon's tax settlement * Amazon's algorithm allegedly enabled VAT evasion by non-EU sellers * U.S. tech giant previously said it "forcefully defend its position" MILAN, March 12 (Reuters) - Milan prosecutors have requested trial for Amazon's (AMZN.O), opens new tab European unit and four of its managers over alleged tax evasion worth around 1.2 billion euros ($1.38 billion), two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said on Thursday. The move is unprecedented for a case of this kind in Italy, as Amazon agreed in December to pay 527 million euros, including interest, to Italy's Revenue Agency to settle the tax dispute. Sign up here. In all previous cases involving other international groups, once a settlement was reached and payment made, prosecutors closed related criminal investigations, either through plea deals or by dropping the cases. This time, however, Milan prosecutors did not share the tax authority's approach and decided to press ahead with their probe, leading to a request that the suspects be sent to trial. Amazon was not immediately available for comment. After the tax settlement in December, the U.S. tech giant said it would "forcefully defend its position on the potential ungrounded criminal case". "Unpredictable regulatory environments, disproportionate penalties, and protracted legal proceedings are increasingly affecting Italy's attractiveness as an investment destination", it added. A judge will now set a date for a preliminary hearing to decide whether to indict the defendants or dismiss the case. "VAT-AVOIDANCE ALGORITHM" Milan prosecutors and tax police had placed the four managers and Luxembourg-based Amazon EU Sarl under investigation for alleged VAT evasion on online sales in Italy between 2019 and 2021. According to charges seen by Reuters, Amazon's algorithm and operating models enabled the sale in Italy of goods from tens of thousands of non-EU sellers - mostly Chinese - without disclosing their identity, helping them avoid paying value-added tax (VAT). Under Italian law, an intermediary offering goods for sale in Italy is jointly responsible for unpaid VAT by non-EU sellers operating through its platform. In their request for trial, Milan prosecutors named the Italian Economy Ministry as the offended party. If upheld in court, the allegations could pose a threat to Amazon's business model across Europe, as VAT is a harmonised EU tax, the two sources said. This is one of several cases involving the company in Italy. The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) is investigating similar alleged offences for the period 2021-2024. Milan prosecutors are also running two additional probes: one into alleged customs and tax fraud involving Chinese imports, and another into whether Amazon had an undeclared permanent establishment in Italy between 2019 and 2024 and should therefore have paid more taxes in the country. Separately, on February 24, Italy's privacy watchdog ordered a local Amazon unit to stop using the personal data of more than 1,800 employees at a warehouse north-east of Rome. ($1 = 0.8669 euros) Reporting by Emilio Parodi, editing by Crispian Balmer and Giselda Vagnoni Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab * Suggested Topics: * Government * White Collar Crime * Tax * * * * * Purchase Licensing Rights Read Next * March 11, 2026Governmentcategory Democratic-led states sue over Trump demand for colleges to supply race data A classroom is seen empty ahead of the state-wide school closures in Ohio, in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus, inside Milton-Union Exempted Village School District in West Milton * agoWorldcategory US sues California over zero emission vehicle, greenhouse gas rules U.S. President Trump signs a resolution at the White House * March 11, 2026Governmentcategory US sued by food stamp recipients over restrictions on sugary drinks, candy A display on the National Mall references Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, after the U.S. government shutdown, in Washington * agoSustainabilitycategory US Senator Warren presses Amazon on contracting, pricing practices for local governments and schools Senate Armed Services Committee briefing on Operation Epic Fury and the situation in Iran, in Washington * March 11, 2026Litigationcategory CVS' Aetna pays $117.7 million to settle US claims it defrauded Medicare Illustration shows United States Department of Justice logo and U.S. flag * March 11, 2026Worldcategory Trump administration must make New York tunnel payments, appeals court rules Construction on the Manhattan Tunnel Project, which is part of the Hudson Tunnel Project, in New York LSEG Workspace World * The Voice of America building in Washington Trump nominates State Dept official to lead diminished US global media agency category * March 12, 2026 * 10:27 PM UTC * ago President Donald Trump nominated a senior State Department official to take on the additional role of leading the U.S. Agency for Global Media, the department said on Thursday, after a federal judge invalidated the previous Trump-appointed CEO's staff cuts at the agency. * Canada's Prime Minister Carney visits Yellowknife ChinacategoryCanada to boost Arctic defenses, says it can no longer rely on others 10:26 PM UTC * Ireland braces for impact as Trump challenges its 'grip' on U.S. pharma TechnologycategoryStryker flags disruption to orders, manufacturing a day after cyberattack 9:59 PM UTC * Reuters logo Middle EastcategoryUS carrying out rescue effort after military aircraft crash in Iraq 9:51 PM UTC * Thanksgiving travel in Chicago BusinesscategoryChicago says FAA should not cut daily flights below 2,800 9:20 PM UTC Site Index Latest * Home * Authors * Topic Sitemap * Archive * Article Sitemap Media * Videos * Pictures * Graphics * Podcasts Latest * Home * Authors * Topic Sitemap * Archive * Article Sitemap Browse * World * Business * Markets * Sustainability * Legal * Breakingviews * Technology * Investigations * Sports * Science * Lifestyle Media * Videos * Pictures * Graphics * Podcasts About Reuters * About Reuters, opens new tab * Media Center, opens new tab * Advertise with Us, opens new tab * Careers, opens new tab * Reuters News Agency, opens new tab * Brand Attribution Guidelines, opens new tab * Reuters and AI, opens new tab * Reuters Leadership, opens new tab * Reuters Fact Check * Reuters Diversity Report, opens new tab * Commercial Disclosure (Japan), opens new tab Stay Informed * Download the App (iOS), opens new tab * Download the App (Android), opens new tab * Newsletters * Subscribe Information you can trust Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the world's largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. 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