The European Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs adopted by a large majority (43 votes in favour, 7 against and 9 abstentions), on Thursday 3 February, the draft own-initiative report by Luděk Niedermayer (EPP, Czech Republic) calling on the European Commission to present a series of proposals to better combat fraud and tax evasion.
In particular, the Commission is invited to propose ways to close the remaining loopholes in the Directive governing the settlement of tax disputes, notably to address the changing post-Covid-19 economy, where teleworking and increased labour mobility increase the risk of double taxation.
The report also states that the automatic exchange of information between Member States should be extended to cover, for example, crypto-assets.
MEPs also make suggestions for tackling the VAT collection deficit, estimated at around €140 billion for 2018. They also urge the Commission to carry out a thorough impact assessment and to include strong anti-avoidance clauses.
The report also calls for facilitating tax compliance requirements, especially for SMEs.
Finally, the report wants to see the strengthening of the Eurofisc European network of anti-fraud experts by providing it with sufficient resources to carry out effective joint risk analysis, coordinate investigations and cooperate with the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), Europol and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, in particular in investigating VAT fraud.
This report is a follow-up to the Commission’s July 2020 Action Plan and its 25 initiatives in the field of VAT, business and personal taxation (see EUROPE 12528/2). (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)