EU finance ministers unveil tax avoidance crackdown rules

EU finance ministers unveil tax avoidance crackdown rules
By Euronews
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European Union finance ministers have agreed new rules to crack down on big multinational companies that are not paying their fair share of tax.

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European Union finance ministers have agreed new rules to crack down on big multinational companies that are not paying their fair share of tax.

The aim is to stop them exploiting different tax and tax deduction regulations in the countries where they operate to drastically reduced what they pay.

The new rules, due to go into effect in 2020, should help the EU recoup revenues from companies that cut their tax bills by declaring profits in countries with low or no taxation.

WATCH: Highlights of today’s #ECOFIN mtg of EU Finance Ministers, chaired by edward_scicluna</a>, incl. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ATAD?src=hash">#ATAD</a> agreement to close tax loopholes <a href="https://t.co/ZgaVZa3kLX">pic.twitter.com/ZgaVZa3kLX</a></p>— EU2017MT (EU2017MT) February 21, 2017

Hybrid mismatches

The Brussels jargon phrase for those tax rate differences is “hybrid mismatches” and Malta’s Finance Minister Edward Scicluna, who chaired the Ecofin meeting, explained: “We have agreed on the proposal aimed at closing down hybrid mismatches with the tax systems of third countries. This directive, is the latest of a number of measures designed to prevent tax avoidance by large companies, preventing them from exploiting disparities between two or more tax jurisdictions to reduce their overall liability.”

Scicluna called this a “bold step” and to reassure businesses also said there would be new proposals in coming months to make sure that corporations will not pay double taxes under the new system.

Agreement on ATAD 2 – hybrid mismatches at today’s #ECOFIN.

Important step forward in tackling tax avoidance. pic.twitter.com/gqAc61H8EU

— EU Tax & Customs (@EU_Taxud) 21 de fevereiro de 2017

Britain is part of this process but the rules will come into effect after it is due to leave the EU and so far there is no commitment from the UK government to stick with them and not shift the economy towards low regulation and taxation.

Tax reduction schemes used by Apple, Amazon, Google, Starbucks and other companies are legal under current laws but have fueled public outrage with European governments being deprived of billions in much-needed revenue.

BREAKING:#ECOFIN Ministers agree to strengthen #ATAD 2 to prevent tax avoidance by large companies edward_scicluna</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/VDombrovskis">VDombrovskispic.twitter.com/HLOiEyjdCK

— EU2017MT (@EU2017MT) February 21, 2017

What is a tax haven?

The finance ministers also made progress on defining what is a tax haven so they can compile an EU common list of countries that qualify.

The setting up of a common list has become more likely after several revelations of massive tax avoidance in countries such as Panama or the Bahamas. EU sanctions could be imposed on countries on the list.

The list should be finalised by the end of this year. So far, letters have been sent to 92 countries, including the United States, to start a screening of practices that could be seen as facilitating tax avoidance.

Slightly embarrassing for Malta, which holds the current six-month rotating EU presidency, it has been accused of being a tax haven which it has denied.

“Is Malta a Tax Haven?” Not according to Oxfam International https://t.co/itnufCaJaUpic.twitter.com/RcY4lUtY34

— Prof Edward Scicluna (@edward_scicluna) February 8, 2017

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