Google's Paris headquarters have been raided as part of an investigation into the U.S. company's tax payments, reports said.

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Around 100 tax officials and investigators from financial police are involved in the raid, which started at 5 a.m. local time, according to Le Parisien. 

"These searches are in the framework of a preliminary inquiry opened on 16 June 2015 on aggravated tax fraud and money-laundering charges following a complaint from the French fiscal authorities," a court statement said. 

The probe wants to verify if Google Ireland "is permanently established in France and whether by not declaring a part of activities carried out in the French territory, it has lacked its tax obligation" under French law. 

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A Google spokesperson told Mashable: “We comply with French law and are cooperating fully with the authorities to answer their questions." 

Google is accused of owing France €1.6 billion ($1.8 billion; £1.3 billion) in unpaid taxes.

The UK struck a £130 million settlement with Google earlier this year. 

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