A new ‘platform for tax good governance’ will monitor EU member states’ progress in tackling aggressive tax planning and clamping down on tax havens, the European Commission has announced. The stated aim is to ensure that ‘real and effective action’ is taken within a coordinated EU framework.
The platform will comprise about 45 members, including a high level delegate from each member state’s tax authority and up to 15 organisations representing business, civil society and tax professionals including tax academics.
It is intended to facilitate dialogue and the sharing of expertise on issues related to good governance in tax matters, and was one of a number of initiatives announced last December.
Organisations will be selected for a three-year mandate, and the EC has invited applications by Wednesday, 8 May. Organisations representing a specific industry sector are unlikely to be appointed, but the EC may give observer status to certain individuals or organisations.
Tax commissioner Algirdas Šemeta said: ‘In battling tax evasion, we are battling to protect the fairness of our tax systems, the competitiveness of our economies and the solidarity of our member states. There is too much at stake for this battle to be lost. The renewed vigour amongst member states to take up this fight is more than welcome. It must now be channelled into action.
‘The platform I am launching today will keep member states on their toes. It will ensure results mirror expectations when it comes to fighting tax evasion.’
Šemeta said the EU would push the automatic exchange agenda strongly. ‘As a top priority, we must engage with our closest neighbours, who benefit greatly from the EU's single market. They cannot isolate themselves from the shift towards more transparency.
‘The tide has turned towards greater information exchange, and they must know that this current is too strong to swim against.
‘In tandem, the EU will be an active partner to the OECD in seeking automatic exchange of information as the global standard. We will do everything necessary to secure the right commitments on this at the G8 summit in June and the G20 summit in September.’
A new ‘platform for tax good governance’ will monitor EU member states’ progress in tackling aggressive tax planning and clamping down on tax havens, the European Commission has announced. The stated aim is to ensure that ‘real and effective action’ is taken within a coordinated EU framework.
The platform will comprise about 45 members, including a high level delegate from each member state’s tax authority and up to 15 organisations representing business, civil society and tax professionals including tax academics.
It is intended to facilitate dialogue and the sharing of expertise on issues related to good governance in tax matters, and was one of a number of initiatives announced last December.
Organisations will be selected for a three-year mandate, and the EC has invited applications by Wednesday, 8 May. Organisations representing a specific industry sector are unlikely to be appointed, but the EC may give observer status to certain individuals or organisations.
Tax commissioner Algirdas Šemeta said: ‘In battling tax evasion, we are battling to protect the fairness of our tax systems, the competitiveness of our economies and the solidarity of our member states. There is too much at stake for this battle to be lost. The renewed vigour amongst member states to take up this fight is more than welcome. It must now be channelled into action.
‘The platform I am launching today will keep member states on their toes. It will ensure results mirror expectations when it comes to fighting tax evasion.’
Šemeta said the EU would push the automatic exchange agenda strongly. ‘As a top priority, we must engage with our closest neighbours, who benefit greatly from the EU's single market. They cannot isolate themselves from the shift towards more transparency.
‘The tide has turned towards greater information exchange, and they must know that this current is too strong to swim against.
‘In tandem, the EU will be an active partner to the OECD in seeking automatic exchange of information as the global standard. We will do everything necessary to secure the right commitments on this at the G8 summit in June and the G20 summit in September.’
