About: corporate tax

Germany rocks the European consensus on the ‘Google tax’

The “Google tax” will return to the EU finance ministers’ agenda on 7 September. However, whereas France and Spain are arguing in favour of the European plan, Germany seems to be hindering its adoption. EURACTIV France reports.

Tax evasion deprives the EU of 20% of corporate taxes

Economists consider, based on tax havens’ statistics such as Bermuda or Ireland, that 40% of multinational companies' profits avoid taxation. The EU would thus be deprived of a fifth of its income from companies. EURACTIV.fr reports.

EIB needs to commit to responsible taxation policy, NGO coalition says

On the second anniversary of the Panama Papers tax scandal, the European coalition of development and environmental non-governmental organisations Counter Balance calls the European Investment Bank (EIB) to develop a comprehensive and responsible taxation policy.

EU tells tech firms it wants to tax profit, not revenue

The European Commission told top digital firms on Wednesday (7 March) that its favourite choice to reform online taxation would be a new method to tax profits rather than revenues, a move the industry welcomed.

Ireland’s concerns over EU digital tax ‘gaining wider support’

Ireland’s concerns over how the European Union should proceed with taxing large digital businesses are shared by a growing number of countries, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said on Monday (5 February).

Big member states are dividing the EU on digital agenda

Four countries - Germany, France, Italy and Spain - drafted a paper outlining their priorities ahead of last Friday’s (29 September) digital summit, where heads of state gathered in Estonia. Poland’s Digital Minister Krzysztof Szubert told EURACTIV.com their paper risks dividing EU member states on digital issues.

Tax fight draws divisions at EU digital summit

Supporters of a controversial new push to tax tech giants insist they will overcome fierce opposition from a group of around 10 member states.

Estonia confident politics won’t overshadow Tallinn ‘digital summit’

Estonia is hosting a summit focused on technology issues this Friday (29 September) but will have to battle for EU leaders’ attention less than one week after the German election, a fresh round of Brexit talks and French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposals on the future of Europe.

Estonia pushes fair taxation plan for web giants in Europe

A precondition for making online companies such as Amazon and Google pay taxes where they are due is to affirm the principle of "virtual permanent establishment", whereby digital firms pay taxes in countries where they have a "significant digital presence", said EU presidency holder Estonia.

UK insists Brexit will not trigger race-to-bottom on taxation

The United Kingdom does not intend to lower taxes far below the European average in order to remain competitive after Brexit but rather expects to keep a recognisably European economic and social model, finance minister Philip Hammond claims.

Romanian government backtracks from plan to tax companies’ turnover

Romanian Prime Minister Mihai Tudose said yesterday (17 July) his leftist-led government had scrapped a plan to tax companies' turnover.

Multinationals should say what they pay

From an investor’s perspective, planned transparency is far preferable to surprise leaks or investigations into corporate tax avoidance strategies which lead to reputational risk and government crackdown, writes Morris Pearl.

Trump cuts spark fears of global corporate tax war

Donald Trump's plans to slash corporate taxes in the United States have sparked concerns of a new global fiscal race to the bottom, possibly involving a wave of negative social consequences, experts say.

Ireland cries foul over competition for Brexit moves

Ireland has complained to the European Commission that it is being undercut by rival centres competing to host financial firms looking for a European Union base outside London after Brexit.

Juncker’s missing scenario: Empower the member states

President Jean-Claude Juncker presented five scenarios for the future of Europe. But there is a sixth option, which is better than those sketched out in the White Paper, reveals Karl Aiginger.

Swiss voters soundly reject corporate tax overhaul

Swiss voters clearly rejected plans to overhaul the corporate tax system yesterday (12 February), sending the government back to the drawing board as it tries to abolish ultra-low tax rates for thousands of multinational companies without triggering a mass exodus.

France must cut corporation tax to compete within EU, say auditors

Corporation tax in France is too far above the European average, according to a report by the French Court of Auditors. The experts said a cut from 33.3% to 25% would allow companies to compete with their European counterparts. EURACTIV France reports.

Ireland set out arguments against EU in Apple tax ruling

Ireland set out its arguments on Monday (19 December) against a European Commission ruling that tech firm Apple should pay billions in back-taxes to Dublin, claiming the EU executive arm has interfered in state sovereignty.

Stiglitz: US will have a ‘tax avoider-in-chief’ in White House

Countries that encourage tax evasion should miss out on free trade agreements and access to banking, according to economist Joseph Stiglitz who urged Europe to take the lead in fighting tax dodgers in the wake of Donald Trump’s victory in the United States. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Brussels aims to harmonise corporate tax by 2021

The European Commission has unveiled its latest action plan to harmonise corporate tax. After two past failures, the executive hopes the recent flurry of tax scandals will give the project a new lease of life. EURACTIV France reports.

Apple ruling indicates EU, US must solve tax jungle

The EU and US administrations have to work, with others, to find an equitable, effective and mutually acceptable solution for taxing the corporate profits of multinational companies, writes Philippe de Schoutheete.

France, Luxembourg roll out red carpet for post-Brexit business

British Prime Minister David Cameron once gleefully offered to "roll out the red carpet" for French executives wanting to escape staggering wealth taxes.

Osborne plans to cut corporate tax to cushion Brexit blow

British finance minister George Osborne plans to slash corporation tax to under 15 percent to tempt businesses to stay following the country's shock vote to leave the European Union, the Financial Times reported Sunday (3 July).

Member states fail to reach deal to tackle company tax avoidance

European Union finance ministers failed on Wednesday (25 May) to agree new rules to counter tax avoidance and deferred until June a possible deal on clamping down on schemes by multinational companies to disproportionately reduce tax bills.