Adoption of adjustments to EU’s list of non-cooperative jurisdictions in taxation matters

Further information:

The Council of the European Union decided to remove Bahrain, the Marshall Islands and Saint Lucia from the list after these jurisdictions made commitments at a high political level to remedy EU concerns. The Councuil also added the Bahamas, Saint Kitts and Nevis and the US Virgin Islands.

The decisions were made at a meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council.

Background information:

The EU's list is intended to promote good governance in taxation worldwide, maximising efforts to prevent tax avoidance, tax fraud and tax evasion. It was prepared during 2017 in parallel with work within the OECD.

The initial list was published in December 2017, containing 17 countries which failed to meet agreed good tax governance standards. In addition, 47 countries committeed to addressing deficiencies in their tax systems and to meet the required criteria, after contacts with the European Union. The EU listing process is a dynamic one.

The European Union's list of non-cooperative jurisdictions in taxation matters was adjusted on 13 March 2018 in the light of commitments made by listed jurisdictions and an assessment of jurisdictions for which no listing decision had yet been taken. Moves were also made to improve transparency in the listing process.