EU publishes list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions

Further information:

A list containing 17 countries was set up following their failure to meet agreed tax good governance standards. In addition, 47 countries committeed to addressing deficiencies in their tax systems and to meet the required criteria, after contacts with the European Union. The EU listing process is a dynamic one.

The adoption of this list occurred at a meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council.

Background information:

The initiative is part of the Council's external strategy for taxation, delivering on its conclusions from November 2016 [including the establishment of the screening criteria] after the idea was originally conceived by the European Commission. Compilation of the list prompted active engagement from many of the EU's international partners.

The first ever EU list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions was agreed on 5 December 2017 by the Council of the European Union.

Tax Justice Network: News, 08.12.17: The EU Tax Haven Blacklist – a toothless whitewash https://www.taxjustice.net/2017/12/08/eu-tax-haven-blacklist-toothless-whitewash/

EPRS: Briefing: Understanding the rationale for compiling 'tax haven' lists http://www.europeansources.info/record/understanding-the-rationale-for-compiling-tax-haven-lists/

European Commission: Press Release, 05.12.17: EU publishes list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-17-5121_en.htm

European Commission: EU list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions [Q&A] http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-17-5122_en.htm

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 05.12.17: Council publishes an EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2017/12/05/taxation-council-publishes-an-eu-list-of-non-cooperative-jurisdictions/

The Guardian, 05.12.17: EU blacklist names 17 tax havens and puts Caymans and Jersey on notice https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/dec/05/eu-blacklist-names-17-tax-havens-and-puts-caymans-and-jersey-on-notice

RTÉ, 06.12.17: EU adopts new tax haven blacklist https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2017/1206/925341-tax-haven-lists/

BBC News, 05.12.17: First tax havens blacklist published by EU http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42237315

EUObserver, 05.12.17: EU blacklists 17 tax havens, avoids sanctions https://euobserver.com/economic/140165

Deutsche Welle, 05.12.17: EU names and shames 17 countries in tax haven blacklist http://p.dw.com/p/2oor0

Swissinfo.ch, 05.12.17: Switzerland placed on EU tax 'grey list' https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/shades-of-compliancy_switzerland-placed-on-eu-tax--grey-list-/43730114

OCCRP: Europe: EU Releases List of Tax Havens https://www.occrp.org/en/27-ccwatch/cc-watch-briefs/7360-europe-eu-releases-list-of-tax-havens

The Guardian, 02.12.17: [Commentary] From paradise to blacklist: EU’s net starts to close on tax havens https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/02/paradise-to-blacklist-eu-tax-havens

The Guardian, 05.12.17: [Commentary] Is the EU tax haven blacklist a whitewash? https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/dec/05/is-the-eu-tax-haven-blacklist-a-whitewash

EUObserver, 29.11.17: EU outlines sanctions for tax havens https://euobserver.com/economic/140076

Malta Today, 28.11.17: ‘Even Malta should be included in EU tax haven blacklist’ says Oxfam http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/europe/82589/oxfam_even_malta_should_be_included_in_eu_tax_haven_blacklist

EurActiv, 06.12.17: EU adopts list of 17 tax havens, Panama first to protest http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/eu-adopts-list-of-17-tax-havens-panama-first-to-protest/

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