ETAF responds to the public consultation on a possible 28th regime for innovative companies
On 30 September 2025, ETAF responded to the public consultation of the European Commission on the potential "28th regime for innovative companies," welcoming the aim of the European Commission to provide a coherent and attractive EU corporate legal framework that reduces compliance burdens and facilitates cross-border activity. However, ETAF expresses serious concerns about the lack of clarity surrounding the design of the new regime, warning that the initiative could generate parallel complexities and legal uncertainty, which would ultimately undermine the objectives of the Single Market. ETAF stresses that the regime must be optional and open to all limited liability companies to ensure fairness and avoid a two-tier Single Market, noting that "innovative" is an unworkable and vague eligibility criterion. ETAF urges the Commission to prioritize simplification and coherence with existing initiatives, particularly on taxation. As a more desirable and realistic approach, ETAF strongly encourages the gradual development of a European Business Code to consolidate, codify, and harmonise existing company law, which would support businesses of all sizes without creating duplication or distortion.
European Commission introduces a blueprint for Savings and Investment Accounts
On 30 September 2025, the European Commission announced a major initiative to advance the Savings and Investments Union and deliver tangible benefits for all citizens across the EU. The comprehensive package introduces a blueprint for Savings and Investment Accounts (SIAs) – a tool aimed at making investing simpler and more accessible. The Commission is recommending that Member States introduce SIAs where they do not yet exist and enhance existing schemes by incorporating best practices from across Europe and worldwide. To benefit citizens and the European economy, key features of the SIAs should include: - A wide array of providers, - Simplicity, - Flexibility, - Broad investment opportunities, - Tax incentives, - Simplified taxation process. Specifically on tax, the Commission clarified tax incentives are key in encouraging the SIAs and achieving broader retail investor participation. These incentives should be well targeted and simple for retail investors, SIA providers, and tax administrations to understand and apply. Furthermore, simplified taxation processes, including relying on SIA providers for tax declarations, can greatly benefit retail investors. Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth in charge of taxation stated: " The Savings and Investments Union (SIU) is an important step for EU’s economy. This is good for our capital markets, for people’s financial future, for sustainable growth and innovation. With interesting tax incentives, people are more encouraged to invest in higher-return investments, which in turn will help us find growth capital and be more competitive.” The Commission will closely monitor the take-up of this recommendation.
EP FISC Subcommittee to host Inter-parliamentary Committee Meeting on Digital Taxation
On 16 October 2025 from 09.45h to 12.30h, the FISC Subcommittee in cooperation with the Legislative Dialogue Unit of the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments will host an Inter-parliamentary Committee Meeting (ICM) on digital taxation at the European Parliament. Held in light of ongoing developments at the OECD/G20 level, the event is designed to facilitate a discussion and exchange of experiences on digital taxation at both the national and international (OECD/G7) level. The meeting will bring together representatives from the European Parliament, national parliaments, and representatives from national tax administrations and will be divided into two panels. The first panel will feature a discussion on the reasons behind the implementation (or not) of a digital services tax (DST), the choice of the tax base and the rate applied. The second panel will focus on difficulties encountered in collecting the tax, the possible fraud and the revenue raised from this tax.
EU Finance Ministers to meet in Luxembourg
EU Finance Ministers will meet in Luxembourg on 10 October 2025. According to the agenda, the ECOFIN Council is expected to exchange views on the Commission’s recent proposals to update the system of own resources for the EU budget. Ministers will also exchange views on the state of play of the economic and financial impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. This is a recurring agenda item for the meeting of Economic and Financial Affairs Ministers. Furthermore, the Commission will be invited to present its recent proposal to update the structure and minimum rates of excise duty applied to manufactured tobacco and tobacco-related products in the EU. Finally, Ministers are expected to hold a policy debate on the Commission Recommendation on the Savings and Investments Accounts.
The next Weekly Tax News will be published on 20 October 2025
