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When:
06/12/2012 at 12:30
Where:
Brussels, Belgium
Topic:
Economy, finance, tax and competition
Organiser:
European Commission
The news:
On 6 December, the European Commission will adopt a comprehensive package to strengthen the fight against tax evasion and aggressive tax planning in the EU. Tax evasion and avoidance deprive Member States of almost €1 trillion every year. Not only does this result in a serious loss of revenues for public expenditure, it also undermines the fairness of tax systems and creates competitive disadvantages for honest businesses. Given the cross-border nature of tax evasion and avoidance, stronger EU coordination is essential in tackling them.
The background:
On 2nd March 2012, the European Council called on the Council and the Commission to rapidly develop concrete ways to improve the fight against tax fraud and tax evasion, including in relation to third countries and to report by June 2012. In April the European Parliament adopted a resolution echoing the urgent need for action in this area.
As a first response, on 27 June 2012 the Commission adopted a Communication (IP/12/697) which outlined how tax compliance can be improved and fraud and evasion reduced, through better use of existing instruments and the adoption of pending Commission proposals. It also identified areas where further legislative action or coordination would benefit the EU and Member States.
The June Communication announced the preparation, before the end of 2012, of an action plan to enhance administrative cooperation and to support the development of the existing good governance policy, the wider issues of addressing tax havens and of tackling aggressive tax planning.
The event:
There will be a press conference at 12.30 by Algirdas Šemeta, Commissioner for Taxation in the Commission's press room.
IP and Memo will be available on the day.
