The Income Tax Department is believed to have served a notice to Internet search engine giant Google, seeking information about its tax structure.

Sources in the know said a tax notice has been sent by the Income-Tax Department to Google, which provides employment for close to 2,000 people in India.

However, details of the notice could not be ascertained.

When contacted, Google said its present tax structure is in compliance with government rules.

"We have an obligation to our shareholders to set up a tax efficient structure, and our present structure is compliant with the tax rules in all the countries where we operate," a Google spokesperson said.

"We make a very substantial contribution to local and national taxation and provide employment for close to 2,000 people in India," the spokesperson added.

Google India runs the 'Adwords' programme in the country, under which it gets paid through advertisements from Indian businesses.