Impact of the ‘Lux Leaks’ scandal on the Member States
12.11.2014
Question for written answer E-009133-14
to the Commission
Rule 130
Maite Pagazaurtundúa Ruiz (ALDE)
The tax evasion scandal, brought to light when a group of investigative journalists revealed that thousands of companies have entered into agreements with the Luxembourgish Government, is a clear attack on the EU. Firstly, it is an attack on EU citizens, as public finances, which prop up government services, are being ransacked. Secondly, it is a blatant example of unfair competition, to the detriment of all the companies that are forced to pay a much higher tax rate on account of not having signed a preferential deal with Luxembourg.
In the interests of transparency and improving democratic discussions, the general public and civil society must hear the truth about this matter. Given the obvious European dimension of the scandal, can the Commission answer the following:
- 1.Exactly how much tax has been avoided?
- 2.What impact has the scandal had on public finances in each of the Member States?
- 3.Which companies are guilty of tax evasion?