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When:
27/06/2012
Where:
Brussels, Belgium
Topic:
Economy, finance, tax and competition
Organiser:
European Commission
The news:
On 27 June, the European Commission should adopt a Communication on tax fraud, in response to the request of the March European Council.
The background:
In times of fiscal consolidation, Member States should not only consider cutting expenditure or increasing taxes but should make sure that due taxes are effectively collected. The Commission communication will consider ways to improve the fight against tax fraud and tax evasion within the European Union and in relation with third countries. The problems posed by tax fraud and evasion must be tackled at three levels: firstly, the tax collection within each Member State must be improved. Secondly, there is a need to enhance cross-border cooperation between Member States' tax administrations. Thirdly, the EU needs to have a clear and coherent policy vis-à-vis third countries in order to promote its standards at international level and ensure a level playing field.
The importance of tax policy for fiscal consolidation and growth has been clearly recognised in the process of the European Semester and the Euro Plus Pact. This has also been emphasised by the G20. Fair and ambitious fiscal consolidation may be impaired by inefficient and ineffective tax collection.
The broad analysis carried out by the Commission in the context of the European Semester and translated into recommendations both to individual Member States and the Eurozone has revealed that for many Member States there are real and substantial problems of tax evasion sometimes linked to poor administrative capacity. Country-specific recommendations regarding these issues were addressed to 10 Member States.
The event:
12.30 Press conference by Commissioner Algirdas Semeta: Presentation of the European Commission Communication on concrete ways to improve the fight against tax fraud and tax evasion including in relation with third countries.
IP and MEMO will be available on the day.
