Brussels, 25/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is running two public consultation exercises until 17 May 2013: - on a European taxpayers' code seeking to clarify taxpayers' and tax offices' rights and duties; - and an EU national insurance number to make it easier to collect tax. Both measures are part of an EU plan to tackle tax evasion (unveiled on 6 December 2012, see EUROPE 10746).
The discussion will help work out what needs to be done in both areas. Most member states already have their own taxpayer codes, but they vary widely, which can cause problems for individuals and companies wanting to know their rights in different member states or pay tax in another country. Given greater mobility of individuals and the international nature of business, member states are finding it increasingly difficult to locate taxpayers, which makes it harder to collect tax and leads to double taxation, fraud and tax evasion. The European Commission aims to get feedback in the consultation exercise and learn about best practice before publishing a report by the end of the year. (FG/transl.fl)