Exclusive: European Commissioner Šemeta backs FAT

Salman Shaheen

January 18 2011

In a speech to the European Parliament last week, Algirdas Šemeta, European Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud, supported the “promising option” of a financial activities tax (FAT). In an exclusive interview, International Tax Review spoke to Commissioner Šemeta about why he favours a FAT at the EU level over a financial transactions tax (FTT), how it might work and the challenges to be overcome.

Unlock this content.

The content you are trying to view is exclusive to our subscribers.

To unlock this content:

Take a Free Trial or Login

Topics

Salman Shaheen

Salman Shaheen worked at ITR between 2010 and 2017

more across site & shared bottom lb ros

More from across our site

Indirect Tax

‘Refunds likely to be a mess’: US Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s tariffs

The levies extended beyond the president’s ‘legitimate reach’, the Supreme Court ruled

Sam Sholli, February 20 2026

Direct Tax

Aerial view of Christ and Botafogo Bay from high angle.

A taxing week: Despite major tax reform, Brazil’s hiring slowdown should come as no surprise

While Brazil’s consumption tax overhaul led to a short-term spike in tax advisory demand, we are now in a period of ‘normalisation’ marked by decreased recruitment

Sam Sholli, February 20 2026

Direct Tax

This week in tax: BDO UK and BDO Ireland rubber-stamp $1.5bn merger

The expanded firm will comprise roughly 8,500 employees, including 550 partners; in other news, Paul Hastings and Macfarlanes made senior tax hires

Sam Sholli, February 20 2026

Transfer Pricing

Advisers clash over Venezuela’s TP evolution in post-Maduro world

Meanwhile, one expert highlights the importance of separating Venezuela’s tax authority from direct political control after ‘lost decades and isolation’

Sam Sholli, February 19 2026

Direct Tax

Beyond compliance theatre: Indonesia’s new era of tax transparency

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

Gitarani Prastuti , February 18 2026

Direct Tax

Why one tax firm is happy for associates to leave

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

Tom Baker, February 18 2026

Direct Tax

HMRC issues new guidance for online tax adviser registration system

Advisers who do not register for the new regime in time could be prevented from interacting with HMRC, the tax authority said

Sam Sholli, February 17 2026

Direct Tax

Pillar two not hollowed out by side-by-side deal: US tax leader

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

Sam Sholli, February 16 2026

Direct Tax