1.Global tax transparency developments: ‘Paradise Papers’ Back in November 2017 the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists („ICIJ”) revealed documents related to off-shore activities of individuals and companies named „Paradise Leaks”. The disclosures contained information related to tax avoidance schemes employed by multinational companies such as Apple, Nike and Facebook. Irrespective of the legality of the […]

 Brussels, 20 November 2017 1.European Commission publishes preliminary State Aid decision on U.K. CFC regime. The European Commission published its Preliminary State Aid Decision as part of the investigation into the U.K.’s Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) legislation and whether it is in contravention of EU state aid rules. The investigation was announced on 26 October […]

Brussels, 13 November 2017 1. ECOFIN Council Conclusions of 7 November- no agreement on VAT collection on digital services The Council of the EU sitting as ECOFIN discussed proposals aimed at improving the VAT collection on digital services and facilitating conduct of electronic commerce and online businesses, but failed to reach agreement on the proposals. […]

Brussels, 6 November 2017 1.EU Commission launches public consultation on fair taxation of the digital economy On 26 October 2017 the European Commission published a Questionnaire on the fair taxation of the digital economy. The objective of the questionnaire is to obtain input from interested stakeholders on how best to define an approach to the […]

 Brussels, 30 October 2017 1. European Parliament calls for EU-wide protection of whistle-blowers The European Parliament adopted on 24 October a non-legislative resolution calling for a European Commission proposal by the end of the year for EU- wide horizontal rules for protection of whistle-blowers. The non-legislative resolution was passed by 399 votes to 101, with […]

Brussels, 23 October 2017  1.EU leaders discuss taxation & digital economy at EU Summit On Thursday 19 October EU leaders discussed the proposals to more effectively tax the digital economy in Europe. In Council Conclusions the leaders encouraged the Council to “pursue its examination of the Commission communication on this issue” and concluded by stating […]

 Brussels, 16 October 2017 1. Council adopted the EU Double Taxation Dispute Resolution Directive The Council of the European Union (ECOFIN) adopted last week a directive introducing a new system for resolving double taxation disputes between member states. The directive strengthens the mechanisms for resolving disputes among member states that arise from the interpretation of […]

Brussels, 9 October 2017 1. EU Commission propose comprehensive reform of EU VAT rules Following up on the VAT Action Plan of April 2016, the European Commission published a comprehensive proposal aimed at adopting a definitive VAT system for intra-EU cross border trade based on the “destination principle”, i.e. taxation in the Member State of […]