The European Commission has referred the UK to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) over its taxation of transfers of assets abroad regime. Advisers are confident the UK will be forced to amend its “discriminatory” legislation.
The European Commission is launching infringement proceedings against France and Luxembourg over their reduced rates on e-books, while a law firm is taking HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to court over charging VAT on e-books at all.
Despite previous opposition to a financial transaction tax (FTT), the Netherlands appears to be coming round to the idea after a new coalition government was formed this week.
Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta wants to reduce VAT to 20% just two years after it was increased to 24%. But advisers are sceptical that this can be achieved.
Starbucks has gone to great pains to boost its corporate social responsibility (CSR) credentials by trumpeting fair trade products and environmentally sustainable practices, but after a scandal over the amount of tax it pays in the UK sullied its reputation, other companies may look to avoid its mistake by placing tax at the heart of their CSR agendas.
