State aid: Commission opens in-depth investigation into Hungarian advertisement tax

The European Commission opened on 12 March 2015 an in-depth investigation into whether Hungary's advertisement tax introduced in June 2014 complies with EU state aid rules.

The Commission considered that the progressive tax rates, ranging from 0 to 50%, could selectively favour certain companies and give them an unfair competitive advantage.

The Commission therefore also took a separate decision prohibiting Hungary from applying progressive rates until the Commission has finished its assessment (a so-called 'suspension injunction').