Press Release: Taxation: Commission outlines its priorities

On 23 May 2001 the European Commission presented a comprehensive strategy for the European Union's future taxation policy. The Commission considers that the Community must ensure that tax policy supports broader EU policy objectives such as the goal set by the Lisbon European Council of making the EU the most competitive economy in the world by 2010. Increased tax co-ordination would help Member States to meet these objectives. But while a large measure of harmonisation is necessary in the VAT and excise fields, in other tax fields tax co-ordination does not imply tax harmonisation. The Commission intends to focus more attention in particular on the tax problems facing individuals and businesses operating within the Internal Market. It will soon present options for co-ordinated action to tackle tax obstacles and inefficiencies in the company tax field, as well as reports concerning alcohol taxation and vehicle taxation. To achieve progress, the Commission intends to be more pro-active in taking legal action where Member States' national tax rules or practices do not comply with the Treaty. In addition, 'enhanced co-operation' and non-binding approaches such as recommendations could be utilised instead of legislative proposals where appropriate.

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