[France] Authorities demand €1.7 billion payroll taxes from Uber

In France, the ride-sharing group Uber has been told by French authorities that it owes €1.7 billion in unpaid payroll taxes, France 24 reports.

Uber allegedly avoided paying the taxes by misrepresenting its contracts with French drivers, according to reporting from Revue21.

A 142-page document seen by the online outlet revealed that the unit collecting social charges in the Paris region had concluded Uber "knowingly disguised an employment relationship as a business contract to evade its obligations as an employer" to around 71,000 drivers between 2019 and 2022.

Uber France reportedly declared in its 2024 financial statements that in December 2024, the French social security agency Urssaf had "filed a lawsuit against the company, proposing a revision of the calculation of social security contributions".

Uber "firmly" contested the lawsuit’s basis in its response. Urssaf "responded by maintaining its position", according to Uber's 2024 financial statements.

Uber claimed it was unable to estimate the potential cost of Urssaf's demand and therefore was not setting aside provisions.

In the document cited in Revue21 reporting, Urssaf said that "under the guise of a simple booking platform, Uber is in reality bound to drivers by a legal relationship of subordination", citing its triple power of management, control and sanction over drivers.

Urssaf reportedly declined to comment when contacted by AFP.

Speaking to AFP, an Uber spokesperson - referring to two rulings issued in July 2025 by an appeals court, which refused to reclassify drivers as Uber employees - said, "Regarding the status of drivers, recent rulings by the Court of Cassation have confirmed their independent contractor status and thus clarified the framework within which we operate.

"We are currently in discussions with Urssaf and are fostering a collaborative, open, and transparent approach."

Urssaf reportedly estimates that Uber avoided €1.2 billion in payroll taxes, to which it added €512 million in "recovery surcharges".

Source: France 24

(Quotes via original reporting)

In France, the ride-sharing group Uber has been told by French authorities that it owes €1.7 billion in unpaid payroll taxes, France 24 reports.

Uber allegedly avoided paying the taxes by misrepresenting its contracts with French drivers, according to reporting from Revue21.

A 142-page document seen by the online outlet revealed that the unit collecting social charges in the Paris region had concluded Uber "knowingly disguised an employment relationship as a business contract to evade its obligations as an employer" to around 71,000 drivers between 2019 and 2022.

Uber France reportedly declared in its 2024 financial statements that in December 2024, the French social security agency Urssaf had "filed a lawsuit against the company, proposing a revision of the calculation of social security contributions".

Uber "firmly" contested the lawsuit’s basis in its response. Urssaf "responded by maintaining its position", according to Uber's 2024 financial statements.

Uber claimed it was unable to estimate the potential cost of Urssaf's demand and therefore was not setting aside provisions.

In the document cited in Revue21 reporting, Urssaf said that "under the guise of a simple booking platform, Uber is in reality bound to drivers by a legal relationship of subordination", citing its triple power of management, control and sanction over drivers.

Urssaf reportedly declined to comment when contacted by AFP.

Speaking to AFP, an Uber spokesperson - referring to two rulings issued in July 2025 by an appeals court, which refused to reclassify drivers as Uber employees - said, "Regarding the status of drivers, recent rulings by the Court of Cassation have confirmed their independent contractor status and thus clarified the framework within which we operate.

"We are currently in discussions with Urssaf and are fostering a collaborative, open, and transparent approach."

Urssaf reportedly estimates that Uber avoided €1.2 billion in payroll taxes, to which it added €512 million in "recovery surcharges".

Source: France 24

(Quotes via original reporting)