EU tackles tax competition inside EU and increases pressure on tax havens

In its biannual report on economic and fiscal policy coordination in the EU, the European Commission today criticised seven EU member states – Belgium, Cyprus, Ireland, Hungary, Luxembourg, Malta and the Netherlands – for their aggressive tax policies. In addition, EU governments have made public the reforms that countries should implement in order to escape the EU tax haven blacklist.

Reacting to the news, Oxfam International’s acting Deputy Director for Advocacy and Campaigns, Marissa Ryan, said:

“It is very good news that the European Commission seems ready to finally tackle harmful tax competition inside the European Union. Aggressive tax policies in Europe harm people and sustainable growth across the world.

“Naming and shaming EU member states whose tax policies are damaging both for other European states and developing countries is a significant move forward. Now EU member states must stop their race to the bottom and instead deliver fair tax systems that help to achieve sustainable growth, reduce inequality and secure economic stability.

“At the same time, publishing the EU’s reform demands to tax havens is an important first step for more transparency on its blacklisting process. Countries on the ‘grey list’ must make public now their commitments to end the secrecy around the EU blacklisting process.

“Only then can tax havens like Bermuda and Switzerland be held to account for their commitments, and only then can EU citizens make sure their governments apply pressure to push through these reforms. We cannot let political interests dictate who is missed out from the EU blacklist.”