PARIS — Starbucks offered Wednesday to pay about $16 million a year in taxes in Britain in an effort to deflect protests over its lack of contributions to the public purse at a time when other taxpayers are feeling the effects of government spending cuts.

“Having listened to customers and to the British public, Starbucks in the UK will be making changes which will result in the company paying higher corporation tax in the UK — above what is currently required by law,’’ the company said in a statement.