Semeta reaffirms commitment to reform EU VAT

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

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2026

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

Semeta reaffirms commitment to reform EU VAT

Algirdas Šemeta, European Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud will propose broad objectives for the future VAT system by the end of the year.

Šemeta, speaking at the FEE Tax Day 2011 Brussels, pointed out that the present system is too complex and in need of reform, though he was quick to manage expectations as agreement among member states on tax policy is notoriously difficult.

“Whilst expectations are high, several respondents indicated that there is also a need to remain realistic,” he said. “Member states are understandably unwilling to take any risks with this tax, accounting for 21% of national revenues in the EU.”

The full text of his speech can be found here.

more across site & shared bottom lb ros

More from across our site

The expanded firm will comprise roughly 8,500 employees, including 550 partners; in other news, Paul Hastings and Macfarlanes made senior tax hires
Meanwhile, one expert highlights the importance of separating Venezuela’s tax authority from direct political control after ‘lost decades and isolation’
With PMK 108, Indonesia has upgraded its tax transparency regime for the digital era, focusing on data quality, governance, and cross border exchange rather than expanding regulatory reach
In a popular LinkedIn post, Jeremie Beitel encouraged firms to invest in junior talent even if it doesn’t lead to their loyalty, though recruiters offered ITR a mixed assessment
Advisers who do not register for the new regime in time could be prevented from interacting with HMRC, the tax authority said
Valid pillar two objectives are still intact after the side-by-side agreement, but whether the framework is now settled is ‘a $64,000 question’, Morrison Foerster’s tax chair told ITR
Ian Halligan previously led Baker Tilly’s international tax services in the US
Exclusive ITR data emphasises that DEI does not affect in-house buying decisions – and it’s nothing to do with the US president
The firms made senior hires in Los Angeles and Cleveland respectively; in other news, South Korea reported an 11% rise in tax income, fuelled by a corporation tax boom
The ‘deeply flawed’ report is attempting to derail UN tax convention debates, the Tax Justice Network’s CEO said
Gift this article