EU taxation policy

Latest news from the European Union about EU taxation policy.

The European Commission in its Communication of 23 May 2001 on "Tax policy in the European Union - Priorities for the years ahead" reiterated its belief that there is no need for an across the board harmonisation of EU Member States' tax systems. Provided that they respect Community rules, Member States are free to choose the tax systems that they consider most appropriate and according to their preferences.

Greek parliament to approve tax change under rescue terms — 11 January 2013, 13:00 CET

Greece's parliament was expected late on Friday to approve a new tax bill, part of the latest batch of fiscal reforms tied to the country's next slice of EU loans.

Greece to enact reforms tied to EU loans — 04 January 2013, 17:23 CET

Greece must enact a new batch of fiscal reforms in time to earn its next slice of EU loans later this month, Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras said on Friday.

EU to clamp down on tax evasion — 06 December 2012, 17:29 CET

EU governments lose a "scandalous" one trillion euros a year to tax dodgers and that has to stop now to prevent further damage to state finances and the economy, the European Commission said on Thursday.

Hungary to scrap controversial 'crisis' taxes — 22 November 2012, 10:49 CET

Hungary announced late Wednesday that it will do away with controversial "crisis taxes" on the retail and telecommunications sectors from January 2013, after the European Union (EU) called for them to be scrapped.

IATA hails EU move to suspend CO2 air travel tax — 12 November 2012, 21:38 CET

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) was quick to celebrate an EU announcement Monday offering to suspend a controversial carbon tax on air travel for flights to and from non-European nations.

France unveils 20-billion-euro business tax break — 06 November 2012, 16:34 CET

France on Tuesday unveiled a 20-billion-euro tax break for companies in a bid to address flagging competitiveness.

France makes billion euro tax claim against Google: report — 31 October 2012, 11:18 CET

French tax authorities have made a billion-euro claim against Google to pressure it in a dispute over compensation to media websites, a French newspaper reported, a claim the Internet giant denies.

Eleven EU nations get go-ahead on 'Robin Hood' finance tax — 23 October 2012, 19:34 CET

The Commission has backed plans by 11 EU nations to launch a hotly contested "Robin Hood" financial transactions tax (FTT) that is tipped to raise billions for the public purse.

Hungary redoubles austerity efforts — 17 October 2012, 17:33 CET

Hungary's government announced new austerity measures on Wednesday, almost doubling a package of savings announced only two weeks ago which the European Union found to be insufficient.

Zurich eyes cutting corporate tax rate in half: minister — 17 October 2012, 10:51 CET

Zurich, Switzerland's largest city and financial hub, may cut its corporate tax rate nearly in half if foreign firms lose fiscal benefits amid EU pressure, the regional financial chief said Tuesday.

Italy's VAT to rise, tax on low incomes down — 10 October 2012, 16:41 CET

Sales tax in Italy is set to rise by one point but tax on low incomes will drop, under a draft bill to reduce debt and protect the poor in the recession-hit country.

Geithner says could take 'years' for Europe recovery — 09 October 2012, 17:58 CET

US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Tuesday eurozone countries have a tough road ahead of them and added it could take years for reform measures to "bear fruit."

Eurozone group relaunch EU financial transaction tax — 09 October 2012, 15:52 CET

Top eurozone states agreed Tuesday to launch a controversial financial transactions tax designed to make markets pay for decades of excess.

11 eurozone states ready to launch FTT: Tax Commissioner — 09 October 2012, 13:39 CET

The EU's tax commissioner Algirdas Semeta said Tuesday that 11 eurozone states have said they support launching a financial transactions tax, indicating the controversial project can move forward.

Geithner says eurozone on 'more promising path' — 09 October 2012, 12:43 CET

US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner praised recent measures to combat the eurozone's debt problems on Tuesday, saying the bloc was on "a more promising path" to resolving the crisis.

Paris, Berlin press ahead on EU financial transaction tax — 09 October 2012, 11:54 CET

France and Germany hope Tuesday to round up the magic number of nine European Union states willing to take the lead and launch a hotly-contested cross-border financial transactions tax.

France, Finland discuss mooted financial tax — 02 October 2012, 21:07 CET

French President Francois Hollande sought Tuesday to get Finland on board with a plan to tax financial transactions, during a visit by Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen.

World Bank urges Eastern Europe to curb 'shadow economy' — 10 September 2012, 19:31 CET

Eastern Europe needs to curb its "shadow economy" to weather Europe's current financial crisis and promote growth, the World Bank said in a new report Monday.

Merkel to push finance tax at 'big four' meeting — 11 June 2012, 13:27 CET

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will campaign for a disputed tax on financial markets at a key summit of the eurozone's four major powers later this month, her spokesman said on Monday.

European Parliament approves contested financial tax — 23 May 2012, 23:53 CET

The European Parliament has adopted by a strong majority proposals on a French-inspired financial transaction tax (FTT) which has been bitterly opposed by Britain.

Austria, Luxembourg frustrate EU plans to fight tax evasion — 15 May 2012, 20:37 CET

Austria and Luxembourg on Tuesday frustrated European Union plans to claw back unpaid tax on earnings lying in offshore banking havens, prompting an angry rebuke from Brussels.

EU issues warning to carbon tax rebels China, India — 15 May 2012, 15:53 CET

The European Union on Tuesday gave China and India a month to comply with a new airline carbon emissions fee coming into effect across the bloc, or face penalties for flights in and out of Europe.

France loses EUR 4.5 bn tax case on investment funds — 10 May 2012, 22:08 CET

The European Court of Justice ruled against France on Thursday over discriminatory tax treatment of foreign investment funds that one paper says could cost Paris 4.5 billion euros.

EU plays down financial impact of carbon tax on airlines — 06 April 2012, 17:00 CET

The EU's climate commissioner played down the impact of the controversial carbon tax being imposed by the bloc on airlines, saying Friday it would cost less than a cup of coffee per passenger.

Eurogroup chief calls for alternative to finance tax — 27 March 2012, 16:07 CET

Luxembourg's prime minister, who heads the group of eurozone finance ministers, voiced reservations on Tuesday over a French drive to impose an EU-wide tax on financial transactions.