The European Commission’s Director of Direct Taxation, Tax Coordination, Economic Analysis and Evaluation, Benjamin Angel, reaffirmed that the Commission has no intention of regulating tax professionals, at a conference organised by the European Tax Adviser Federation (ETAF).
Instead, the Commission will propose a set of rules that are suitable for all persons providing tax advice for the creation of structures in third countries only.
“While I certainly agree that a regulation of the profession across the board would be, on paper, the best solution, in practice, I don’t think it is something within reach. Therefore, it is more advisable to look for a second-rank optimum”, he explained.
MEP Markus Ferber (EPP, Germany), Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Tax Matters (FISC), claims that the EU should first try to put its own house in order: “Honestly, you can’t make tax advisers the problem, because they have not invented the tax system”. “They have to deliver a service, as advisers, they give advice. The tax responsibility is not in their hands, it is in the hands of the taxpayers”, he added.
The Commission is preparing a directive that will complement the so-called 'UNSHELL' directive, which aims to prevent the abuse of fictitious entities for tax purposes (EUROPE 12858/1). It is expected to come out in December. (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)