At the Economic and Financial Affairs Council meeting on 20 June the ministers agreed an amendment to EU tax rules that will close a loophole which had allowed cross-border corporations to profit from double non-taxation. The agreed amendment to the parent-subsidiary directive will put an end to the situation whereby cross-border

Commission to tackle tax discrimination against mobile EU citizens Tax discrimination still present in the EU? Member States' tax provisions are to be scrutinized to ensure that they do not discriminate against mobile EU citizens, in a targeted initiative launched by the Commission. The focus is on both economically active individuals

The Commission has published practical guidelines to prepare businesses for the new VAT rules for telecoms and e-services, which will enter into force in 2015. The aim is to help businesses to be fully prepared on time for the change-over, whereby VAT will be charged where the customer is based,

The COREPER has on October 14 in Brussels reached an agreement on three draft amending budgets for 2013, covering the EU additional payment needs and updating forecast for the EU own resources, a package proposed by the Lithuanian Presidency. “The Permanent Representatives Committee has showed the resolve to respect the Council

What is the purpose of the Annual Report on the Protection of the EU's Financial Interests? Member States have to adopt all necessary measures to protect the EU budget, and to counter fraud and any other illegal activities affecting the financial interests of the EU. They are obliged to report all

The Council has adopted two directives that will enable member states to better combat VAT fraud, facilitating rapid reaction and allowing a specific measure to tackle so-called "carrousel fraud". The importance of such measures amongst a number of initiatives aimed at better combating tax evasion and tax fraud was highlighted

Music and architecture, video games, crafts, design and fashion offer considerable growth potential which the EU should support and exploit, says a draft resolution voted by the Culture Committee on Tuesday. It calls for a stronger partnership with universities to equip young people with the requisite skills. It also advocates

The Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee stood by its guns on Tuesday in supporting the Commission's proposal for a wide-scope financial transaction tax, with stocks and bond trades taxed at 0.1% and derivatives trades taxed at 0.01% in 11 EU countries. The committee proposed lower rates until January 2017 for

resident Barroso has today made a push to make significant progress on energy and tax fraud and evasion at the European Council. Writing to other European leaders, Barroso highlights the considerable difference in energy prices across the EU because of the fragmented EU energy market and the failure to tap