Global Tax 50 2014: Joaquín Almunia

International Tax Review is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Garden, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2025

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Global Tax 50 2014: Joaquín Almunia

Former competition commissioner, EU

Joaquín Almunia

Joaquín Almunia is a new entry this year

After recognising Google, Amazon, and Starbucks as our most influential players in tax in 2013, it is not surprising that 2014 was dominated by the lingering effects of those companies' tax affairs being placed under the international spotlight. It is fitting then, that this year's list recognises one of their most vocal challengers. Joaquín Almunia has been an unequivocal force in Europe's fight against tax evasion. As the EU's competition commissioner, Spanish politician Almunia is best known for his efforts to push through anti-trust litigation against tech firm Google. He challenged the tech company on accusations that it favoured its' own results over competitors in searches.

Under Almunia, the European Commission (EC) challenged Apple's tax deals with Ireland and launched an official investigation. In June of this year, regulators also launched official investigations into the Netherlands' deals with Starbucks and Luxembourg's agreements with Amazon and Fiat Finance and Trade.

The EC does not allow state aid in the form of tax breaks if such tax incentives distort competition among member states. During his tenure as competition commissioner, he challenged corporate tax loopholes that violate fair competition. US-based companies that exploited the tax policies of European countries came under closer scrutiny.

"State aid control has been used in the past to investigate the selective treatment given to a particular company based on tax legislation or decisions. In the case of the opening of several investigations regarding multinationals, Director General of Competition analysed the way some member states made use of 'tax rulings' to allegedly give a selective advantage therefore distorting competition," Almunia told International Tax Review.

"The investigations don't anticipate the final decision, but are based on a 'reasonable doubt' about the breach of the state aid framework," Almunia said.

During his last several months in office, Almunia did not let up in the push against unfair corporate structures.

"National authorities must not allow selected companies to understate their taxable profits by using favourable calculation methods. It is only fair that subsidiaries of multinational companies pay their share of taxes and do not receive preferential treatment which could amount to hidden subsidies. This investigation concerning tax arrangements forAmazon in Luxembourg adds to our other in-depth investigations launched in June. I welcome that cooperation with Luxembourg has improved significantly," Almunia stated.

Almunia was reluctant to discuss the Luxembourg leaks and how the Commission should handle them, though he expressed confidence his successor (and fellow Global Tax 50 2014 entrant) Margrethe Vestager, will handle such problems with an equal amount of vigour.

"I am convinced they will continue the work that was being done under the previous Commission as we did with the work of our predecessors."

The Global Tax 50 2014

View the full list and introduction

Gold tier (ranked in order of influence)

1. Jean-Claude Juncker  2. Pascal Saint-Amans  3. Donato Raponi  4. ICIJ  5. Jacob Lew  6. George Osborne  7. Jun Wang  8. Inverting pharmaceuticals  9. Rished Bade  10. Will Morris


Silver tier (in alphabetic order)

Joaquín AlmuniaAppleJustice Patrick BoyleCTPAJoe HockeyIMFArun JaitleyMarius KohlTizhong LiaoKosie LouwPierre MoscoviciMichael NoonanWolfgang SchäubleAlgirdas ŠemetaRobert Stack


Bronze tier (in alphabetic order)

Shinzo AbeAlberto ArenasPiet BattiauMonica BhatiaBitcoinBonoWarren BuffettECJ TranslatorsEurodadHungarian protestorsIndian Special Investigation Team (SIT)Chris JordanArmando Lara YaffarMcKessonPatrick OdierOECD printing facilitiesPier Carlo PadoanMariano RajoyNajib RazakAlex SalmondSkandiaTax Justice NetworkEdward TroupMargrethe VestagerHeinz Zourek

more across site & shared bottom lb ros

More from across our site

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and US President Donald Trump have agreed that the countries will look to conclude a deal by July 21, 2025
The firm’s lack of transparency regarding its tax leaks scandal should see the ban extended beyond June 30, senators Deborah O’Neill and Barbara Pocock tell ITR
Despite posing significant administrative hurdles, digital services taxes remain ‘the best way forward’ for emerging economies, says Neil Kelley, COO of Ascoria
A ‘joint understanding’ among G7 countries that ‘defends American interests’ is set to be announced, Scott Bessent claimed
The ‘big four’ firm’s inaugural annual report unveiled a sharp drop in profits for 2024; in other news, Baker McKenzie and Perkins Coie expanded their US tax benches
Representatives from the two countries focused on TP as they met this week to evaluate progress under a previously signed agreement – it is understood
The UK accountancy firm’s transfer pricing lead tells ITR about his expat lifestyle, taking risks, and what makes tax cool
Dolphin Drilling intends to discuss the final liability amount and manner of settlement with HM Revenue and Customs
Winning the case against the 20% VAT imposition was always going to be an uphill challenge for the claimants, UK tax advisers argue
A ‘paradigm shift’ in Chile’s tax enforcement requires compliance architecture built on proactive governance, strategic documentation and active monitoring of judicial developments
Gift this article