Council conclusions on the revised EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes

Summary:

Set of conclusions adopted during a meeting of the Council of the European Union on 17 October 2023, concerning a revision of the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes.

Further information:

The European Union's (EU) list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes was established in December 2017. It is part of the EU's external strategy on taxation and aims to contribute to ongoing efforts to promote tax good governance worldwide.

In this instance, the Council decided to add Antigua and Barbuda, Belize and Seychelles to the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. All three jurisdictions were found to be lacking with regard to the exchange of tax information on request. At the same time, three jurisdictions were removed from the list: British Virgin Islands, Costa Rica and Marshall Islands.

British Virgin Islands was removed from the list as it has amended its framework on exchange of information on request and will be reassessed in accordance with the OECD standard. Pending this reassessment this jurisdiction has been included in Annex II. Costa Rica was delisted because it has amended the harmful aspects of its foreign source income exemption regime. Marshall Islands was delisted as it has made significant progress in enforcement of economic substance requirements.

The Council also approved the usual state of play document (Annex II), reflecting the ongoing EU cooperation with international partners and the commitments of countries to reform their legislation to adhere to agreed tax governance standards.

The conclusions were adopted at a meeting of the Council of the European Union on 17 October 2023. They were published in the Official Journal on 23 October 2023.

Official

General Secretariat of the Council: Policies: EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/eu-list-of-non-cooperative-jurisdictions/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 17/10/2023: Taxation: Antigua and Barbuda, Belize and Seychelles added to EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/10/17/taxation-antigua-and-barbuda-belize-and-seychelles-added-to-eu-list-of-non-cooperative-jurisdictions-for-tax-purposes/

Government of the British Virgin Islands: Press Release, 17/10/2023: BVI Removed From European Union List Of Non-Cooperative Jurisdictions For Tax Purposes https://bvi.gov.vg/media-centre/bvi-removed-european-union-list-non-cooperative-jurisdictions-tax-purposes

Government of Belize: Press Office, 17/10/2023: Belize Rejects Being Placed on EU List of “Non-Cooperative Jurisdictions for Tax Purposes” https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/belize-rejects-being-placed-on-eu-list-of-non-cooperative-jurisdictions-for-tax-purposes-2/

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News

Reuters, 17/10/2023: EU adds Belize, Seychelles, Antigua and Barbuda to tax havens list https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/eu-adds-belize-seychelles-antigua-barbuda-tax-havens-list-2023-10-17/

The Brussels Times, 18/10/2023: EU adds Antigua and Barbuda, Belize and Seychelles to tax haven blacklist https://www.brusselstimes.com/748384/eu-adds-antigua-and-barbuda-belize-and-seychelles-to-tax-haven-blacklist

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