Reminder - ETAF Professional Law Conference on 9 December 2025 in the European Parliament
The European Tax Adviser Federation (ETAF), in cooperation with MEP Maria Grapini (S&D member), is pleased to invite you to join leading voices from the European Parliament, the European Commission and the tax profession for an open and forward-looking exchange on what lies ahead for the Single Market for services and how the tax profession should prepare. Speakers include: - MEP Maria Grapini (S&D member, Romanian), Vice-President of the IMCO Committee; - Mehdi Hocine, Head of Unit “Services strategy and mutual recognition” at DG GROW of the European Commission; - Salvador Marín, President of the European Federation of Accountants and Auditors for SMEs (EFAA); - Léa Marchal, EU journalist and deputy redactor in chief at Agence Europe; - ETAF President Philippe Arraou; and - ETAF Head of Office Michael Schick. On-site seats are limited and will be attributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Online participation is also possible. Secure your seat now and register here.
European Commission releases new Digital Omnibus
The European Commission officially released its new Digital Package on 19 November 2025 aiming at cutting administrative burdens, reducing compliance costs, and fostering greater innovation and competitiveness across the EU. This package is structured around three core pillars: the Digital Omnibus, the European Business Wallet, and the Data Union Strategy. The Digital Omnibus proposes targeted amendments to key digital laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the AI Act, and rules on cybersecurity and data. Its goal is to harmonize and align different legal texts. A key feature is the introduction of innovation-friendly AI rules, which adjust the application timeline for high-risk AI rules to a maximum of 16 months, extend simplifications to SMEs and reinforces the AI Office's central oversight powers. The Omnibus also seeks to simplify Cybersecurity Reporting by establishing a single-entry point for all incident reporting obligations. Currently, companies must report cybersecurity incidents under several laws, including among others the NIS2 Directive, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). Finally, it includes an Innovation-Friendly Privacy Framework with targeted amendments to the GDPR to harmonise, clarify and simplify compliance rules while strictly maintaining the core standards of personal data protection. The European Business Wallet aims to provide European companies and public sector bodies with a unified digital tool, enabling them to digitalise operations and interactions that in many cases currently still need to be done in person. Businesses will be able to digitally sign, timestamp and seal documents; securely create, store and exchange verified documents; and communicate securely with other businesses or public administrations in their own and the other 26 Member States. The aim of the Commission is to simplify scaling up a business in other Member States, paying taxes and communicating with public authorities. Finally, the Data Union Strategy features measures designed to unlock high-quality data for the development of Artificial Intelligence and other innovative technologies in Europe. The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the Digital Package. Interested Stakeholders have until 26 January 2025 to give feedback, with the deadline being extended daily until the proposals are available in all EU languages
G20 reaffirms commitment on finding a solution on Pillar Two
G20 leaders met for a two-day summit hosted by the South African G20 presidency in Johannesburg on 22 and 23 November 2025. Under the motto 'solidarity, equality and sustainability' G20 leaders participated in three working sessions and discussed global challenges and priorities, primarily sustainable economic growth, development and financing. Regarding taxation G20 leaders underlined the importance of international tax cooperation, particularly the implementation of the OECD Global Minimum Tax (Pillar Two). Despite a reported absence from the U.S. delegation, the summit concluded with a pledge to rapidly reach consensus on a U.S. proposal regarding the minimum tax rules. The G20 reaffirmed its commitment to finding a balanced and practical solution acceptable to all members. The key development is the negotiation of a "side-by-side regime" within the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on BEPS. This regime would aim to exempt large U.S.-parented multinational enterprise groups from the Income Inclusion Rule (IIR) and the Undertaxed Profits Rule (UTPR) of Pillar Two, provided these groups are already subject to comparable U.S. international tax rules. Importantly, this exclusion would not apply to local Qualified Domestic Minimum Top-up Taxes (QDMTTs). The G20 emphasized that any solution must address concerns related to the level playing field and ensure the fair treatment of substance-based tax incentives. Technical work is progressing quickly, with over 65 jurisdictions already adopting or preparing to adopt the GLOBE rules or a QDMTT, and negotiators hoping to achieve an acceptable final agreement by the end of the year.
