News

Press release on the European Commission proposals on the fair taxation of the digital economy

The European Tax Adviser Federation (ETAF) welcomes the efforts of the European Commission to find a balanced and equitable solution in the taxation of the digital economy and shares the Commission’s position that the current international tax rules do not permit a fair competition between traditional companies and digital companies. Following closely the developments around the fair taxation of the digital economy, ETAF has positioned itself by taking part in the public consultation launched by DG TAXUD in October 2017.

Weekly Tax News – 19 March 2018

  -  ECOFIN Council agreement on transparency of tax intermediaries

  -  European Parliament appointed the TAX3 Committee

  -  CC(C)TB voted by the European Parliament

  -  Modification of the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdiction in tax matter

Press release on the directive on the transparency for tax intermediaries

As the European Tax Adviser Federation, ETAF has closely followed the developments of the proposed directive since it was firstly launched in June 2017. In its positioning, ETAF strongly advocated in favour of the safeguard of the professional secrecy as one of the ground pillars of tax professionals.

Consultation on the fair taxation of the digital economy: results published

The results of the consultation on the fair taxation of the digital economy, in which ETAF participated in January, have been published by DG TAXUD. The consultation was launched in October 2017 to define an approach to the taxation of the digital economy. The consultation listed the main problems of the international tax system in relation to the digital economy and proposed both temporary and long-term solutions to tackle these issues.

The digitalisation of the economy is happening at a very fast pace involving both the digitalisation of so-called “bricks-and-mortar” business models and the activities of highly digitalized ICT companies. The tax framework, on the other hand, was not capable of keeping up with such a quick transformation.

Commissioner Moscovici at ETAF tax conference: „We are at a turning point of the international fiscal policy“

On 5 December 2017 the European Tax Adviser Federation (ETAF) hosted the conference “Building an EU tax system” in Brussels which attracted many tax professionals across Europe, stakeholders and high-level decision-makers from the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council.

ETAF Tax Conference on 5 December 2017

Program

ETAF invited to a working group of the S&D IMCO Committee on the proposal for a Services e-Card at the European Parliament

Following an invitation of the S&D IMCO working group, Philippe Arraou, President of ETAF, participated in a lively debate on the Commissions’ proposal for a European Services e-Card at the European Parliament.

Mr. Arraou made clear that ETAF members strongly favor a deepening of the Single Market and support cross-border provision of business services, which are the main objectives of the proposed Services Package. Nevertheless, he pointed out some major concerns that were raised by ETAF members: The deadlines for the host Member States, for example, being too short to comprehensively examine an application for both temporary cross-border services and permanent establishment.

ETAF General Assembly confirms Philippe Arraou as President 

On 26 April 2017 the ETAF General Assembly elected the President and a new Board for the period of two years. Philippe Arraou has been unanimously reelected by the General Assembly as President of ETAF. Prof. Dr. Michael Korth and Volker Kaiser have been confirmed as Board members in office and Luigi Alfredo Carunchio will be replacing Gerardo Longobardi as a Board member.

ETAF participates in intermediaries’ tax planning consultation

As the scandals around LuxLeaks and Panama Papers are still present, the European Commission focuses its policies on tax transparency and tax intermediaries to fight harmful and illegal tax practices. With this in mind, DG TAXUD launched a consultation on “Disincentives for advisers and intermediaries for potentially aggressive tax planning schemes”.