Communication on Tax Good Governance in the EU and beyond

Summary:

Communication published by the European Commission on 15 July 2020, setting out a plan aimed at promoting further transparency and good governance on tax-related matters.

Further information:

Taxation is seen by the European Commission as central to delivering on transition to a greener and more digital reality which is compatible with the principles of a social market economy. As set out in the Commission's Recovery Plan for Europe, a post-pandemic recovery requires strengthening the fight against tax fraud and other unfair practices. This is to help Member States generate tax revenue that can be channelled to face the challenges arising from the crisis.

Tax good governance is the foundation on which fair taxation is built. Broadly, tax good governance encompasses tax transparency, fair tax competition, the absence of harmful tax measures and the application of internationally agreed standards. This Communication focuses primarily on the soft law measures and external actions, taking stock of the existing experience and identifying changes that are required in this field. On this basis, its sets out the priority areas for action over the forthcoming years, to enhance tax good governance standards and ensure taxation. This includes a reform of the Code of Conduct and improvements to the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions. The Communication also outlines the EU’s approach to assisting developing countries in the area of taxation.

The Communication was adopted by the European Commission on 15 July 2020, as part of a Tax Package aimed at introducing fair and simple taxation to support economic recovery in the EU. The Council of the European Union adopted on 27 November a set of conclusions in response to this Communication.

• Primary Source

Official

European Commission: DG Taxation and Customs Union: Package for fair and simple taxation https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/general-information-taxation/eu-tax-policy-strategy/taxation-package_en

European Commission: Press Release, 15/07/2020: Fair and Simple Taxation: Commission proposes new package of measures to contribute to Europe's recovery and growth https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_1334

European Commission: Questions and Answers on the Tax Package (15 July 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_20_1337

European Commission: Press remarks by Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis on fair and simple taxation: a new package of measures to contribute to Europe's recovery and growth (15 July 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_20_1363

European Commission: Press remarks by Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni on fair and simple taxation: a new package of measures to contribute to Europe's recovery and growth (15 July 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_20_1360

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