The report of the European Parliament's special committee 'TAX 3', adopted on Wednesday 27 February after almost a year's work, calls on the European Commission to work "immediately" on the creation of a European financial police force.
MEPs believe that this force, which would be established within Europol, should have its own investigative capabilities. The Commission is also invited to develop a European framework for cross-border investigations in the tax and financial fields.
The report of the Special Committee, which will be endorsed at the second plenary session of the European Parliament in March, is the subject of broad agreement between political groups, with almost all the compromise amendments adopted.
"There are not many issues that receive such strong political support", noted Petr Ježek (ALDE, Czech Republic), chair of the ‘TAX 3’ committee.
In particular, the report stresses the importance of effective enforcement of the rules, including through the imposition of dissuasive sanctions, as well as increased cooperation between Member States to effectively combat money laundering and tax evasion and fraud (see EUROPE 12202). The adoption of regulations at European level instead of directives would contribute to a more uniform application of the rules. MEPs also advocate the end of golden visas and support the adaptation of tax rules to the digital economy.
However, some issues were not compromised, admitted Luděk Niedermayer (EPP, Czech Republic), co-rapporteur. He cited the principle of free and undistorted tax competition, the setting of minimum rates, the triggering of enhanced cooperation in the tax field, the administrative burden on honest taxpayers.
Minimum tax rate. On minimum taxation, the report invites the Commission to assess the reduction in nominal tax rates and its impact on effective rates in the EU, with a view to proposing solutions within the EU and vis-à-vis third countries.
My group has called for a "minimum effective tax rate" to stop the downward trend in corporate taxation, said Jeppe Kofod (S&D, Denmark). Without success, the amendment tabled having received the same number of votes in favour and against. Greens/EFA Group Co-Chairman Philippe Lamberts of Belgium said in a statement that it was "very regrettable that the Conservatives and Liberals prevented a clear demand for a clear minimum tax rate for large EU companies".
MEPs hope that this work will lead to the creation of an ad hoc sub-committee within the Parliamentary Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, but without legislative power. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)