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.

EU to take Hungary to court over telecom tax — 22 March 2012, 17:51 CET

The European Commission has decided to take Hungary before the EU's Court of Justice over a special crisis tax it introduced in 2010 on telecommunications operators.

Disputed financial transactions tax crosses first EU hurdle — 13 March 2012, 23:59 CET

EU finance ministers gave a downbeat reaction Tuesday to plans for a cross-border tax on the finance industry, but agreed to discuss further a proposal stiffly resisted by Britain.

EU asks airlines emissions fee opponents for alternatives — 20 February 2012, 22:39 CET

Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard on Monday called on countries fighting an airlines carbon emissions fee to propose concrete action to fight climate change.

Cameron's tax arithmetic is wrong, says Brussels — 26 January 2012, 16:31 CET

The European Commission on Thursday shot down figures cited by Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron to argue against a planned financial transaction tax.

EU safeguards taxpayers' right to VAT refunds — 16 July 2010, 11:47 CET

The European Commission is to postpone the deadline for the submission of VAT refund requests related to 2009, to give more time to taxpayers to apply for VAT refunds.

Hungary Mining Act violates EU state aid rules: EC — 09 June 2010, 17:13 CET

The European Commission has concluded that a 2005 agreement between the Hungarian government and the Oil and Gas Company MOL conferred a financial advantage on the company that cannot be exempted under EU State aid rules.

EU to strengthen cross-border cooperation on VAT fraud — 08 June 2010, 20:15 CET

EU Finance Ministers today reached an agreement on a draft regulation which will enable EU member states to combine efforts in combating fraud with regard to value-added taxation (VAT).

EU opens consultation on double taxation — 29 April 2010, 17:19 CET

The European Commission launched today an online public consultation to ask individuals, companies and tax advisers for information on double taxation problems that they have encountered when operating across borders within the EU.

MEPs urge transaction tax to help developing countries — 25 March 2010, 20:53 CET

EU Member States should bring in a financial transactions tax and consider a temporary debt moratorium for developing countries, says the European Parliament. In a resolution adopted at their plenary session in Brussels today, MEPs said this would help developing countries to cope with the effects of the global financial and economic crisis.

Commission requests exit tax changes — 18 March 2010, 22:33 CET

The European Commission has formally requested Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands to change tax rules which impose an immediate exit tax when companies transfer their seat or assets to another EU Member State.

EU to cooperate on fighting tax evasion — 17 March 2010, 00:39 CET

At a meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council today, finance ministers adopted a draft EU directive on strenghtening mutual assistance between Member States in the recovery of taxes.

EU Court declares EDF compatible with common market — 17 December 2009, 12:06 CET

The General Court has annulled the Commission’s decision declaring certain fiscal measures implemented by France for EDF (Eléctricité de France) to be incompatible with the common market. on grounds that the Commission did not conduct a private investor test to back its findings.

Italian dividend tax incompatible with EU rules: Court — 17 December 2009, 12:07 CET

A new reformed tax regime for Italian-sourced dividends is incompatible with EC legislation on free movement of capital and freedom of establishment, according to a ruling by the European Court of Justice on 1 December 2009.

EU court orders France Télécom to pay overdue taxes of 1140 million EUR — 07 December 2009, 18:48 CET

The European Court of Appeals has confirmed a Commission decision to order the recovery of aid granted to France Télécom in the form of tax breaks. Over a 12-year period, France Télécom benefited from state aid amounting to a potential sum of EUR 1,140 million.