(Informal) Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 15-16 September 2017

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Series Details 15-16.09.17
Publication Date 15/09/2017
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+ Corporate taxation challenges of the digital economy

Finance and economic affairs ministers of the EU member states discussed updating international tax rules for companies, so that these rules could also be applied to taxing enterprises that use digital technology. The ministers agreed to move forward swiftly and to reach a common understanding at the Ecofin Council in December 2017.

Ten countries (France, Germany, Italy and Spain, joined by Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Greece, Portugal and Austria) signed a letter calling for specific measures to start taxing the revenues of digital companies such as Google, Amazon and Facebook. Other countries expressed degrees of reservation to aspects of this specific proposal.An informal meeting of the European Union's economic and financial affairs ministers was held on 15-16 September 2017. The agenda included the following topics:

+ Deepening of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and maximising the effectiveness of EU finances, interaction of rules and institutions;

+ Capital Markets Union (CMU): Technological innovation and financial regulation;

+ Corporate taxation challenges of the digital economy;

+ Cost efficiency and sustainability of customs IT systems.

Source Link Link to Main Source https://www.eu2017.ee/political-meetings/ECOFIN
Related Links
EUObserver, 11.09.17: EU big four push to tax internet giants https://euobserver.com/economic/138954
Politico, 09.09.17: Eurozone’s largest tax collectors eye digital giants’ turnovers http://www.politico.eu/article/eurozones-largest-tax-collectors-eye-digital-giants-turnovers/
The Local.fr, 28.08.17: Germany and France plan to introduce new tax on internet giants https://www.thelocal.fr/20170828/germany-and-france-to-propose-new-tax-on-internet-giants
EUObserver, 11.09.17: Commission welcomes 'turnover tax' idea for tech companies https://euobserver.com/economic/138965
European Commission: DG Communication: SPEECH/17/3274, 15.09.17: Remarks by Vice-President Dombrovskis at the first informal ECOFIN press conference in Tallinn http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-17-3274_en.htm
European Commission: DG Communication: SPEECH/17/3281, 16.09.17: Remarks by Vice-President Dombrovskis at the second informal ECOFIN press conference in Tallinn http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-17-3281_en.htm
Estonia: EU Presidency: Press Release, 16.09.17: EU finance ministers agreed to develop new digital taxation rules https://www.eu2017.ee/news/press-releases/eu-finance-ministers-agreed-develop-new-digital-taxation-rules
ESO: Background information: Tax Challenges in the Digital Economy (EPRS: Study, June 2016) http://www.europeansources.info/record/tax-challenges-in-the-digital-economy/
Politico, 16.09.17: 10 EU nations back new plan to tax digital giants http://www.politico.eu/article/ten-eu-nations-back-new-plan-to-tax-digital-giants-google-amazon-facebook/
Reuters, 16.09.17: EU plan to raise taxes for global internet firms hits snag http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-eu-ecofin/eu-plan-to-raise-taxes-for-global-internet-firms-hits-snag-idUKKCN1BR06D?il=0
EurActiv, 16.09.17: EU agrees to draft proposal to raise taxes on internet giants http://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/news/eu-agrees-to-draft-proposal-to-raise-taxes-on-internet-giants/
Euro|Topics: Debates, September 2017: Tougher tax rules for technology companies http://www.eurotopics.net/en/185842/tougher-tax-rules-for-technology-companies

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