EU: Consultation on double non-taxation within the EU

International Tax Review is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 4 Bouverie Street, London, EC4Y 8AX

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2025

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

EU: Consultation on double non-taxation within the EU

eu-flag.jpg

On February 29 2012, the European Commission launched a public fact-finding consultation on the double non-taxation of companies within the EU and in relations with non-EU countries.

The consultation will run until May 30 2012 and concerns cases where the (direct) tax rules of two countries combined lead to non-taxation. Parties are invited to provide factual examples (which may be done anonymously) and suggestions on ways to tackle double non-taxation, for instance, according to the Commission:

  • Legislative approaches (such as closing loopholes and stopping mismatches);

  • Increased information measures (such as rules on disclosure to the tax authorities);

  • Good governance rules (such as soft law agreements between member states or exchange of good practices).

The Commission has made a questionnaire based on various sources including international tax literature, articles and lectures with a (non-exhaustive) list of examples where double non-taxation could occur:

  • Mismatches of entities (hybrids);

  • Mismatches of financial instruments;

  • Application of double tax conventions leading to double non-taxation;

  • Transfer pricing and unilateral advance pricing arrangements;

  • Transactions with associated enterprises in countries with no or extremely low taxation;

  • Debt financing of tax exempt income;

  • Different treatment of passive and active income; and

  • Double tax conventions with third countries.

Background

This development is closely connected to the debate on aggressive tax planning. EU Tax Commissioner Algirdas Šemeta's line and that of many MEPs is that aggressive tax planning is perhaps not illegal but it is definitely undesirable.

The EU's Code of Conduct Group on business taxation has been discussing the issue of PPLs and hybrid entities for some years now, and has reached broad consensus that this issue reflects inefficiency in the internal market and has asked the Commission to come forward with a legislative proposal in 2012. The consultation is a first step and serves to gauge the full scale of this issue.

In an annex to its 2012 Annual Growth Survey, the Commission acknowledged that member states have to consider revenue-raising measures. Better tax coordination at the EU level will play a role in this context and the avoidance of double non-taxation has an enhanced importance in the present economic crisis. The European Council conclusions of June 24 2011 asked the Commission to ensure the avoidance of harmful practices and proposals to fight tax fraud and tax evasion.

Way forward

Based on this consultation, the Commission will determine the most appropriate and effective measures to prevent double non-taxation and come forward with solutions before the end of 2012.

Bob van der Made (bob.van.der.made@nl.pwc.com), Brussels and Amsterdam

PwC

Tel: +31 88 792 3696

Website: www.pwc.com

more across site & shared bottom lb ros

More from across our site

The plan aims to improve the efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness of direct tax administration in India
Meanwhile, South Africa’s finance minister has accepted a court decision on suspending a VAT increase and US President Donald Trump mulls a 100% tariff on foreign films
Jaime Carey speaks about the benefits of his tax background, DEI values, the use of AI for a smarter legal practice, and other priorities that will define his presidency
Historically low levels of attrition over consecutive years made a ‘difficult decision’ necessary, PwC has reportedly said
WTS Global is also vetting new potential member firms in Algeria, Cote D’Ivoire and Benin, Kelly Mgbor tells ITR in an exclusive interview
The scope of qualifying pillar two tax credits could reportedly be broadened; in other news, hundreds of IRS appeals staff are to resign
For many taxpayers, the prospect of long-term certainty that a bilateral APA offers can override concerns about time, cost and confidentiality
Levine, who served under the Joe Biden administration, led the US’s negotiations on the OECD’s two-pillar solution
The deal to acquire ITR's parent company is expected to complete by the end of May 2025
JBS, the biggest meat company in the world, allegedly used Luxembourgian ‘mailbox companies’ to avoid taxes between 2019 and 2022
Gift this article