Microsoft faces investor call to publish tax data

STORY: Microsoft is under pressure to be more transparent about what taxes it pays around the world.

A group of investors managing more than $350 billion in assets has filed a motion ahead of the software giant’s annual shareholder meeting.

The motion has been submitted by UK-based advisers Pensions & Investment Research Consultants.

It says major investors including Nordea are among other backers.

The resolution calls on Microsoft to publish tax information on a country-by-country basis outside the U.S.

That is so investors can assess whether it is paying a fair amount and identify risks posed by tax reforms.

It also calls on Microsoft to publish a full tax transparency report, in line with global initiatives.

A similar resolution has been filed with rival tech giant Cisco.

Investors voted on a tax transparency measure at Amazon’s shareholder meeting in May, but it didn’t get enough support to pass.