Press releases
Taxation and Customs Union
Electricity taxation: the European Commission asks France to adapt its electricity taxation system
18/03/2010
The Commission has asked France to amend its legislation on electricity taxation within a period of two months in order to comply with the Directive on the taxation of energy products and electricity.
VAT – Commission takes Portugal and Hungary to Court and asks France to modify its VAT legislation
18/03/2010
The European Commission has decided to refer a case concerning the VAT flat rate scheme for farmers in Portugal, and another case regarding the refund of VAT credits in Hungary, to the Court of Justice. At the same time, the Commission has formally requested that France modify its legislation regarding the exemption of certain boat-related supplies.
VAT: The Commission to bring Greece before Court of Justice for not ensuring in its legislation the refund of unduly paid VAT and other taxes
18/03/2010
The Commission has decided to bring Greece before the ECJ for incomplete implementation of three ECJ judgements against Greece with regard to the refund of unduly paid taxes, including VAT. Under EU law, taxpayers have the right to be repaid taxes which were levied by Member States in violation of EU law. Greece did not make this repayment possible.
Direct taxation: The European Commission formally requests Germany to amend its anti-abuse provision on withholding tax relief
18/03/2010
The European Commission has formally requested Germany to change its anti-abuse provision on withholding tax relief. German tax authorities refuse withholding tax relief for a foreign company owned by persons who would not be entitled to the relief if they received the income directly, ...
Direct Taxation: Commission requests that Belgium, France, Greece, the Netherlands and Portugal change discriminatory rules
18/03/2010
The Commission has today sent requests to Belgium, France, Greece, the Netherlands and Portugal to change various rules related to direct taxation which are disproportionate and/or discriminatory and infringe upon the fundamental freedoms set out in the Treaty of the Functioning of the EU (TFEU).
Tax policies for a post-crisis world: Commissioner Šemeta opens Brussels Tax Forum
01/03/2010
Algirdas Šemeta, EU Commissioner for Taxation, Customs, Audit and Anti-fraud, will today open the 4 th Brussels Tax Forum, for which this year's topic is " Tax Policies for a Post-Crisis World". The conference will focus on the lessons to be learned for taxation from the financial crisis, ...
Anti-Fraud
New electronic system to monitor the movement of excise goods
31/03/2010
On 1 April 2010, a new electronic system for monitoring and controlling the movement of excise goods (alcohol, tobacco and energy products) within the EU becomes operational. The Excise Movement and Control System (EMCS) will make intra-Community trade in excise goods cheaper and simpler for operators, ...
New system to report corruption and fraud anonymously
01/03/2010
Corruption and fraud can now be reported via the Internet, even anonymously: A new electronic system - "Fraud Notification System" (FNS) - will make it easier and more secure for vigilant citizens and EU civil servants to report suspicious cases to the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). The new portal (FNS) goes online today.
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