One million smuggled cigarettes seized in customs operation

27/02/2012

Around 1.2 million cigarettes were seized in the first joint customs operation targeting rail traffic along the EU Eastern border. Twenty-four EU Member States, Croatia, Turkey, Norway and Switzerland participated in the operation which was organised by the Polish Customs Service in close cooperation with the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). The operation took place from 18 to 27 October 2011. The final results of the operation were made public today at the Polish Customs Service in Sopot in Poland. The results could only be made public now not to interfere with further enquiries which had to be performed by the various customs authorities.

“Customs checks at the EU border are key to protecting our taxpayers' money and our legitimate businesses. The Commission and customs authorities in the Member States and in neighbouring countries have to work side by side to combat smuggling and all kinds of customs fraud. I am very happy with the successful results of this operation and strongly encourage more of these joint actions in the future” said Algirdas Šemeta, Commissioner for taxation, customs and anti-fraud. more

ES lėšos – Lietuvos muitinės mobiliajai rentgeno sistemai

03/02/2012

Lietuvos muitinė įsigijo naują mobiliąją rentgeno įrangą, kurią iš dalies finansavo Europos kovos su sukčiavimu tarnyba. Pagal programą Hercule Lietuvai buvo skirta pusė įrangai įsigyti reikalingos sumos – 1 milijonas eurų. Tai viena iš Europos Komisijos priemonių pagal kovos su cigarečių ir alkoholio kontrabanda per Rytų sieną veiksmų planą.

Už kovą su sukčiavimu atsakingas Europos Komisijos narys Algirdas Šemeta sakė: „Tai Europos investicija į Lietuvos vartotojų ir verslininkų apsaugą. Šalyje cigarečių kontrabandos per Rytų sieną rizika yra gana didelė. Šis reiškinys žalingas visiems: apvagiamas sąžiningai mokesčius mokantis verslas, keliama grėsmė sveikatai, dėl nesurenkamų mokesčių trūksta lėšų sveikatos ir socialinei apsaugai, švietimui. Teikdama finansavimą pagal specialias programas, ES padeda muitinėms apsirūpinti veiksmingos kovos su kontrabanda priemonėmis."

Commissioner Šemeta is visiting Cyprus today

24/02/2012

24/02/2012, Brussels. Algirdas Šemeta, EU Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-fraud  will visit Cyprus on Friday. He will meet the authorities that will be in charge of EU Presidency as of 1 July. This includes bilateral meetings with Minister of Labour and Social Insurance Sotriroula Charalambous and General Auditor of Cyprus Chrystalla Georghadji. He will also meet representatives of the Cypriot banking and financial services sector.

Commissioner Šemeta said: "The aim of my visit is to discuss tax files that are key to strengthening the single market, enhancing growth and helping fiscal consolidation. More cooperation, coordination and harmonisation are necessary to lift tax obstacles so that our citizens and businesses can reap the benefits of the single market in Europe. I look forward to closely working together with the Cypriot Presidency to make further progress in the field of taxation."

Commissioner Šemeta speaks in the City of London on benefits of EU tax coordination for financial sector

17/02/2012

17/02/2012, London. "Coordinated tax policies within the EU mean better quality revenues for Member States, a more attractive environment for business and a more acceptable tax system for citizens. As Member States look for new resources, it is my duty to ensure that taxation helps, rather than hinders, our collective return to growth and prosperity," said Algirdas Šemeta, EU Commissioner for Taxation today.

Speaking at a stakeholders event in the City of London, organised by the Lithuanian City of London Club, Commissioner Semeta outlined recent tax policy initiatives of particular importance for the financial sector: CCCTB, the agreement with USA on FATCA, and the Financial Transactions Tax.

Commissioner Šemeta: "We want the UK on board for the FTT"

16/02/2012

In the discussion on Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) in the UK House of Lords Commissioner Šemeta said: "It is in the overall European interest to have strong financial centers – in London as well as in Paris and Frankfurt. We want the UK on board, actively engaged in the discussions on the design, fine-tuning and implementation of the Financial Transaction Tax. "

Commission welcomes US move to ensure enhanced international tax cooperation in a more business-friendly way

08/02/2012

The Commission welcomes the USA's acceptance of an government-to-government approach to tackling tax evaders and implementing the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).

This more business-friendly arrangement for EU financial institutions is the result of intense discussions with the USA, following a letter sent by the Commission and EU Presidency to the US tax authorities in April 2011 (see IP/11/413 ).

Algirdas Šemeta, EU Commissioner for Taxation said: "The EU and USA share a strong objective: to tackle trans-border tax evasion and ensure national treasuries can collect what they are due. I am confident that this new development will pave the way to achieve this in a business friendly manner." 

Tax Coordination: TPG discusses FATCA, VAT and national tax reforms

06/02/2012

Improving and accelerating tax coordination in key areas that can contribute to economic stability and growth is the focus of today's meeting of the Tax Policy Group (TPG) in Brussels.

Algirdas Šemeta, Commissioner for Taxation, Customs, Anti-Fraud and Audit, is chairing the TPG, which brings together high level representatives of EU Finance Ministers.