REPORT on the proposal for a Council directive amending Directive 2011/16/EU as regards mandatory automatic exchange of information in the field of taxation

20.10.2015 - (COM(2015)0135 – C8‑0085/2015 – 2015/0068(CNS)) - *

Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs
Rapporteur: Markus Ferber

DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

on the proposal for a Council directive amending Directive 2011/16/EU as regards mandatory automatic exchange of information in the field of taxation

(COM(2015)0135 – C8‑0085/2015 – 2015/0068(CNS))

(Special legislative procedure – consultation)

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2015)0135),

–  having regard to Article 115 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C8‑0085/2015),

–  having regard to Rule 59 of its Rules of Procedure,

–  having regard to the report of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and the opinion of the Committee on Legal Affairs (A8-0306/2015),

1.  Approves the Commission proposal as amended;

2.  Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, in accordance with Article 293(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union;

3.  Calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

4.  Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to substantially amend the Commission proposal;

5.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.

Amendment    1 Proposal for a directive Citation 2 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	Having regard to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, in particular the respect for the right to the protection of personal data and the freedom to conduct a business,
Amendment    2 Proposal for a directive Recital 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(1) The challenge posed by cross-border tax avoidance, aggressive tax planning and harmful tax competition has increased considerably and has become a major focus of concern within the Union and at global level. Tax base erosion is considerably reducing national tax revenues, which hinders Member States in applying growth-friendly tax policies. In particular, rulings concerning tax-driven structures lead to a low level of taxation of artificially high amounts of income in the country giving the advance ruling and may leave artificially low amounts of income to be taxed in any other countries involved. An increase in transparency is therefore urgently required. The tools and mechanisms established by Council Directive 2011/16/EU13 need to be enhanced in order to achieve this.	(1) The challenge posed by cross-border tax avoidance, aggressive tax planning and harmful tax competition has increased considerably and has become a major focus of concern within the Union and at global level. Tax base erosion is considerably reducing national tax revenues, which hinders Member States in applying growth-friendly tax policies, causes distortions of competition to the detriment of undertakings – particularly SMEs – which pay the correct amounts of tax and shifts taxation towards less mobile factors such as labour and consumption. However, in specific cases, rulings concerning tax-driven structures have led to a low level of taxation of artificially high amounts of income in the country giving the advance ruling and have left artificially low amounts of income to be taxed in any other countries involved, thereby reducing the tax base in these Member States. An increase in targeted transparency and exchange of information is therefore urgently required at least in accordance with OECD standards. The tools and mechanisms established by Council Directive 2011/16/EU13 need to be enhanced in order to achieve this.
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13 Council Directive 2011/16/EU of 15 February 2011 on administrative cooperation in the field of taxation and repealing Directive 77/799/EEC (OJ L 64 of 11.3.2011, p. 1).	13 Council Directive 2011/16/EU of 15 February 2011 on administrative cooperation in the field of taxation and repealing Directive 77/799/EEC (OJ L 64 of 11.3.2011, p. 1).
Amendment    3 Proposal for a directive Recital 1 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(1a) Following the LuxLeaks scandal and by means of this report, the European Parliament expresses its strong determination not to tolerate tax fraud and tax avoidance as well as to advocate for a fair distribution of the tax burden between citizens and companies.
Amendment    4 Proposal for a directive Recital 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(2) The European Council, in its conclusions of 18 December 2014, underlined the urgent need to advance efforts in the fight against tax avoidance and aggressive tax planning, both at the global and Union levels. Stressing the importance of transparency, the European Council welcomed the Commission’s intention to submit a proposal on the automatic exchange of information on tax rulings in the Union.	(2) The European Council, in its conclusions of 18 December 2014, underlined the urgent need to advance efforts in the fight against tax avoidance and aggressive tax planning, both at the global and European levels. Stressing the importance of transparency and corresponding information exchange, the European Council welcomed the Commission’s intention to submit a proposal on the automatic exchange of information on tax rulings in the Union.
Amendment    5 Proposal for a directive Recital 4
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(4) However, the efficient spontaneous exchange of information in respect of advance cross-border rulings and advance pricing arrangements is hindered by several important practical difficulties such as the discretion permitted to the issuing Member State to decide which other Member States should be informed.	(4) However, the efficient spontaneous exchange of information in respect of advance cross-border rulings and advance pricing arrangements is hindered by several important practical difficulties such as the discretion permitted to the issuing Member State to decide which other Member States should be informed and the weak monitoring system which makes it difficult for the Commission to identify any violation of the requirement to exchange information.
Amendment    6 Proposal for a directive Recital 4 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(4a) An efficient exchange and processing of tax information and the resulting peer pressure would have a strong deterrent effect against the introduction of harmful tax practices and would allow Member States and the Commission to have all the relevant information at their disposal in order to take action against such practices.
Amendment    7 Proposal for a directive Recital 5
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (5) The possibility that the provision of information may be refused where it would lead to the disclosure of a commercial, industrial or professional secret or of a commercial process, or of information whose disclosure would be contrary to public policy should not apply to provisions of mandatory automatic exchange of information on advance cross-border rulings and advance pricing arrangements in order not to reduce the effectiveness of these exchanges. The limited nature of the information that is required to be shared with all Member States should ensure sufficient protection of those commercial interests. (5) The possibility that the provision of information may be refused where it would lead to the disclosure of a commercial, industrial or professional secret or of a commercial process, or of information whose disclosure would be contrary to public policy must not apply to provisions of mandatory automatic exchange of information on advance rulings and advance pricing arrangements in order not to reduce the effectiveness of these exchanges. The limited nature of the information that is required to be shared with all Member States ensures sufficient protection of those commercial interests.
Amendment    8 Proposal for a directive Recital 5 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (5a) Advance tax rulings and price arrangements can have a cross-border dimension even though they relate to purely national transactions. That is particularly true of cascade transactions, where the advance tax ruling or price arrangement concerns the first national transactions, without taking into consideration the next (cross-border) transactions.
Amendment    9 Proposal for a directive Recital 5 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(5b) In order to avoid arbitrary distinctions between tax arrangements that arise in the context of different national administrative practices, the definitions of advance rulings and advance pricing arrangements should cover tax arrangements regardless of the formal or informal manner in which they were issued, and irrespective of their binding or non-binding nature.
Amendment    10 Proposal for a directive Recital 5 c (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(5c) Advanced tax rulings facilitate the consistent and transparent application of the law.
Amendment    11 Proposal for a directive Recital 5 d (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(5d) Transparent tax rules provide legal certainty for taxpayers and businesses and generate investment.
Amendment    12 Proposal for a directive Recital 6
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (6) In order to reap the benefits of the mandatory automatic exchange of advance cross-border rulings and advance pricing arrangements, the information should be communicated promptly after they are issued and therefore regular intervals for the communication of the information should be established. (6) In order to reap the benefits of the mandatory automatic exchange of advance rulings and advance pricing arrangements, the information concerning them should be communicated immediately after they are issued. Efficient and effective penalties can be developed in cases of non-compliance.
Amendment    13 Proposal for a directive Recital 7
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (7) The mandatory automatic exchange of advance cross-border rulings and advance pricing arrangements should in each case include communication of a defined set of basic information to all Member States. The Commission should adopt any measures necessary to standardise the communication of such information under the procedure laid down in Directive 2011/16/EC for establishing a standard form to be used for the exchange of information. That procedure should also be used in the adoption of any necessary measures and practical arrangements for the implementation of the information exchange. (7) The mandatory automatic exchange of advance rulings and advance pricing arrangements should in each case include communication of a defined set of basic information to all Member States. The Commission should adopt any measures necessary to standardise the communication of such information under the procedure laid down in Directive 2011/16/EC for establishing a standard form to be used for the exchange of information. That procedure should also be used in the adoption of any necessary measures and practical arrangements for the implementation of the information exchange.
Amendment    14 Proposal for a directive Recital 8
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(8) Member States should exchange the basic information to be communicated also with the Commission. This would enable the Commission at any point in time to monitor and evaluate the effective application of the automatic exchange of information on advance cross-border rulings and advance pricing arrangements. Such communication will not discharge a Member State from its obligations to notify any state aid to the Commission.	(8) Member States should exchange the basic information to be communicated also with the Commission, since the Commission should be able to assess independently if such information is relevant for detecting illegal state aid. This basic information should enable the Commission at any point in time to efficiently monitor and evaluate the effective application of the automatic exchange of information on advance rulings and advance pricing arrangements and to ensure that rulings do not have a negative impact on the internal market. Such communication will not discharge a Member State from its obligations to notify any state aid to the Commission.
Amendment    15 Proposal for a directive Recital 8 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(8a) Before 1 October 2018 Member States should provide the Commission with an ex-post analysis of the effectiveness of this Directive.
Amendment    16 Proposal for a directive Recital 9
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(9) Feedback by the receiving Member State to the Member State sending the information is a necessary element of the operation of an effective system of automatic information exchange. It is therefore appropriate to provide for measures enabling the provision of feedback in cases where the information has been used and where no feedback can be provided under other provisions of Directive 2011/16/EU.	(9) Feedback by the receiving Member State to the Member State sending the information is a necessary element of the operation of an effective system of automatic information exchange, as it encourages administrative cooperation between Member States. It is therefore appropriate to provide for measures enabling the provision of feedback in cases where the information has been used and where no feedback can be provided under other provisions of Directive 2011/16/EU. This would make it more difficult to circumvent the information for purposes of fraud.
Amendment    17 Proposal for a directive Recital 10
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(10) A Member State should be able to rely on Article 5 of Directive 2011/16/EU as regards the exchange of information on request to obtain additional information, including the full text of advance cross-border rulings or advance pricing arrangements, from the Member State having issued such rulings or arrangements.	(10) A Member State should be able to rely on Article 5 of Directive 2011/16/EU as regards the exchange of information on request to obtain additional information, including the full text of advance rulings or advance pricing arrangements, from the Member State having issued such rulings or arrangements and any texts which effect subsequent changes.
Amendment    18 Proposal for a directive Recital 10 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(10a) The expression ‘information that is foreseeably relevant’ as referred to in Article 1(1) of Directive 2011/16/EU should be clarified in order to prevent interpretations whose purpose is avoidance.
Amendment    19 Proposal for a directive Recital 11
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (11) Member States should take all measures necessary to remove any obstacle that might hinder the effective and widest possible mandatory automatic exchange of information on advance cross-border rulings and advance pricing arrangements. (11) Member States should take all measures necessary to remove any obstacle that might hinder the effective and widest possible mandatory automatic exchange of information on advance rulings and advance pricing arrangements.
Amendment    20 Proposal for a directive Recital 12 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment   (12a) In order to enhance transparency for citizens, the Commission should publish a summary of the main tax rulings agreed in the previous year, based on information contained in the secure central directory. That report should include at least a description of the issues addressed in the tax ruling, a description of the criteria used to determine an advance pricing arrangement and identify the Member State(s) most likely to be affected. In doing so, the Commission should comply with the confidentiality provisions laid down in this Directive.
Amendment    21 Proposal for a directive Recital 12 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(12b) It is desirable that the Member States ask their competent authorities to allocate human resources from among their existing staff to gather and analyse such information.
Amendment    22 Proposal for a directive Recital 12 c (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(12c) By 26 June 2017, an EU-wide register for beneficial ownership should be operational, which will aid in tracking down possible tax avoidance and profit shifting. The creation of a central register for automatic exchange of advanced tax rulings or price arrangements between Member States, which would be accessible to tax authorities and responsible administrations in the Member States and the Commission would be significant.
Amendment    23 Proposal for a directive Recital 15
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (15) The existing provisions regarding confidentiality should be amended to reflect the extension of mandatory automatic exchange of information to advance cross-border rulings and advance pricing arrangements. (15) The existing provisions regarding confidentiality should be amended to reflect the extension of mandatory automatic exchange of information to advance rulings and advance pricing arrangements.
Amendment    24 Proposal for a directive Recital 15 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(15a) It is essential that the fundamental principle of the Member States’ sovereignty in tax matters is upheld where direct taxes are concerned and that the current proposal does not jeopardise the subsidiarity principle.
Amendment    25 Proposal for a directive Recital 16
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(16) This Directive respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. In particular, this Directive seeks to ensure full respect for the right to the protection of personal data and the freedom to conduct a business.	(16) This Directive respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. In particular, this Directive seeks to ensure full respect for the right to the protection of personal data and the freedom to conduct a business. The personal data should be processed for specific, explicit and legitimate purposes and only if adequate, relevant and not excessive in relation to the purposes. Any restriction of those rights should only be imposed provided that the conditions set out in the Charter of Fundamental Rights are complied with. Subject to the principle of proportionality, restrictions may be imposed provided that they comply with the necessary and true objectives of general interest recognised by the law, or satisfy the need to protect the rights and liberties of others.
Amendment    26 Proposal for a directive Recital 17
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(17) Since the objective of this Directive, namely the efficient administrative cooperation between Member States under conditions compatible with the proper functioning of the Internal Market, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States but can rather, by reason of the uniformity and effectiveness required, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Directive does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective.	(17) Since the objective of this Directive, namely the efficient administrative cooperation between Member States under conditions compatible with the proper functioning of the Internal Market, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States but can rather, by reason of the uniformity and effectiveness required, be better achieved at European level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Directive does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective.
Amendment    27 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – point 1 – point a Directive 2011/16/EU Article 3 – point 9 – point a
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (a) for the purposes of Article 8(1) and Article 8a, the systematic communication of predefined information to another Member State, without prior request, at pre-established regular intervals. For the purposes of Article 8(1), reference to available information relates to information in the tax files of the Member State communicating the information, which is retrievable in accordance with the procedures for gathering and processing information in that Member State. (a) for the purposes of Article 8(1) and Article 8a, the systematic communication of predefined information to another Member State, without prior request, which, in respect of Article 8(1), takes place at pre-established regular intervals. For the purposes of Article 8(1), reference to available information relates to information in the tax files of the Member State communicating the information, which is retrievable in accordance with the procedures for gathering and processing information in that Member State.
Amendment    28 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b Directive 2011/16/EU Article 3 – point 14 – introductory part
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 14. 'advance cross-border ruling' means any agreement, communication, or any other instrument or action with similar effects, including one issued in the context of a tax audit, which: 14. 'advance ruling' means any agreement, communication, or any other instrument or action with similar effects, including one issued in the context of a tax audit and irrespective of its formal, informal, legally binding or non-binding nature, which:
Amendment    29 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b Directive 2011/16/EU Article 3 – point 14 – point a
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (a) is given by, or on behalf of, the government or the tax authority of a Member State, or any territorial or administrative subdivisions thereof, to any person; (a) is given or published by, or on behalf of, the government or the tax authority of a Member State, or any territorial or administrative subdivisions thereof, on which one or more persons can rely;
Amendment    30 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – point 1 – point b Directive 2011/16/EU Article 3 – point 14 – point c
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (c) relates to a cross-border transaction or to the question of whether or not activities carried on by a legal person in the other Member State create a permanent establishment, and; (c) relates to a transaction or to the question of whether or not activities carried on by a legal person in the other Member State create a permanent establishment, and;
Amendment    31 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – point 1 – point b Directive 2011/16/EU Article 3 – point 14 – subparagraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment The cross-border transaction may involve, but is not restricted to, the making of investments, the provision of goods, services, finance or the use of tangible or intangible assets and does not have to directly involve the person receiving the advance cross-border ruling; The transaction may involve, but is not restricted to, the making of investments, the provision of goods, services, finance or the use of tangible or intangible assets and does not have to directly involve the person receiving the advance ruling;
Amendment    32 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b Directive 2011/16/EU Article 3 – point 15 – subparagraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 'advance pricing arrangement' means any agreement, communication or any other instrument or action with similar effects, including one issued in the context of a tax audit, given by, or on behalf of, the government or the tax authority of one or more Member States, including any territorial or administrative subdivision thereof, to any person that determines in advance of cross-border transactions between associated enterprises, an appropriate set of criteria for the determination of the transfer pricing for those transactions or determines the attribution of profits to a permanent establishment. 'advance pricing arrangement' means any agreement, communication or any other instrument or action with similar effects, including one issued in the context of a tax audit, given or published by, or on behalf of, the government or the tax authority of one or more Member States, including any territorial or administrative subdivision thereof, on which one or more persons can rely, that determines in advance of transactions between associated enterprises, an appropriate set of criteria for the determination of the transfer pricing for those transactions or determines the attribution of profits to a permanent establishment.
Amendment    33 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – point 1 – point b Directive 2011/16/EU Article 3 – point 16
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 16. For the purpose of point 14 'cross-border transaction' means a transaction or series of transactions where: deleted (a) not all the parties to the transaction or series of transactions are resident for tax purposes in the Member State giving the advance cross-border ruling, or;   (b) any of the parties to the transaction or series of transactions is simultaneously resident for tax purposes in more than one jurisdiction, or;   (c) one of the parties to the transaction or series of transactions carries on business in another Member State through a permanent establishment and the transaction or series of transactions forms part or the whole of the business of the permanent establishment. A cross-border transaction or series of transactions shall also include arrangements made by a single legal person in respect of business activities in another Member State which that person carries on through a permanent establishment.   For the purpose of point 15 'cross-border transaction' means a transaction or series of transactions involving associated enterprises which are not all resident for tax purposes in the territory of a single Member State.
Amendment    34 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – point 3 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 8a – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 1. The competent authority of a Member State issuing or amending an advance cross-border ruling or an advance pricing arrangement after the date of entry into force of this Directive shall, by automatic exchange, communicate information thereon to the competent authorities of all other Member States as well as to the European Commission. 1. The competent authority of a Member State issuing or amending an advance ruling or an advance pricing arrangement after the date of entry into force of this Directive shall, by automatic exchange, communicate information thereon to the competent authorities of all other Member States as well as to the European Commission.
Amendment    35 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – point 3 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 8a – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 2. The competent authority of a Member State shall also communicate information to the competent authorities of all other Member States as well as to the European Commission on advance cross-border rulings and advance pricing arrangements issued within a period beginning ten years before the entry into force but still valid on the date of entry into force of this Directive; 2. The competent authority of a Member State shall also communicate information to the competent authorities of all other Member States as well as to the European Commission on advance rulings and advance pricing arrangements issued before the entry into force but still valid on the date of entry into force of this Directive;
Amendment    36 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – point 3 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 8a – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 3. Paragraph 1 shall not apply in a case where an advance cross-border ruling exclusively concerns and involves the tax affairs of one or more natural persons. 3. Paragraph 1 shall not apply in a case where an advance ruling exclusively concerns and involves the tax affairs of one or more natural persons.
Amendment    37 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – point 3 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 8a – paragraph 3 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment   3a. Paragraph 1 shall also apply where the request for an advance ruling relates to a legal structure without legal personality. In that instance, the competent authority of the Member State issuing the advance ruling shall forward the information it has to the competent authorities of all other Member States and shall arrange for the memorandum of incorporation to be transferred to the Member State of residence of each incorporator and each beneficiary.
Amendment    38 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – point 3 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 8a – paragraph 4 – point a
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (a) in respect of the information exchanged pursuant to paragraph 1: within one month following the end of the quarter during which the advance cross-border rulings or advance pricing arrangements have been issued or amended. (a) in respect of the information exchanged pursuant to paragraph 1: immediately and at the latest one month after the advance rulings or advance pricing arrangements have been issued or amended.
Amendment    39 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 8a – paragraph 4 – point b
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (b) in respect of the information exchanged pursuant to paragraph 2: before 31 December 2016; (b) in respect of the information exchanged pursuant to paragraph 2: within three months following the entry into force;
Amendment    40 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – point 3 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 8a – paragraph 5 – point b
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (b) the content of the advance cross-border ruling or advance pricing arrangement, including a description of the relevant business activities or transactions or series of transactions; (b) the content of the advance ruling or advance pricing arrangement, including a description of the relevant business activities or transactions or series of transactions;
Amendment    41 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 8a – paragraph 5 – point b a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment   (ba) the criteria used to determine the advance ruling or the advanced pricing arrangement, as well as the limitation in time thereof, if any, or the circumstances under which the decision can be revoked;
Amendment    42 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – point 3 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 8a – paragraph 5 – point d
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (d) the identification of the other Member States likely to be directly or indirectly concerned by the advance cross-border ruling or advance pricing arrangement; (d) the identification of the other Member States likely to be directly or indirectly concerned by the advance ruling or advance pricing arrangement;
Amendment    43 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – point 3 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 8a – paragraph 5 – point e
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (e) the identification of any person, other than a natural person, in the other Member States likely to be directly or indirectly affected by the advance cross-border ruling or advance pricing arrangement (indicating to which Member State the affected persons are linked). (e) the identification of any person, other than a natural person, in the other Member States likely to be directly or indirectly affected by the advance ruling or advance pricing arrangement (indicating to which Member State the affected persons are linked).
Amendment    44 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 8a – paragraph 5 – point e a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment   (ea) as soon as it is available, the European Tax Identification Number (TIN) as outlined in the Commission's Action Plan on the fight against tax fraud and tax evasion of 2012.
Amendment    45 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 8a – paragraph 5 – point e b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment   (eb) a description of the set of criteria used and of the arrangements applicable where, by means of a de jure or de facto mechanism, the taxpayer's taxable base is reduced by derogation from the standard rules of the Member State issuing the opinion, involving, for example, authorisation for a faster rate of amortisation than is customary or deduction of costs not directly incurred or not actually incurred by the taxpayer;
Amendment    46 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 8a – paragraph 5 – point e c (new)
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment   (ec) a description of the set of criteria used and of the arrangements applicable where a taxpayer is granted a rate of taxation which is lower than the standard rate in the Member State issuing the opinion;
Amendment    47 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 8a – paragraph 5 – point e d (new)
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment   (ed) a description of the set of criteria used and of the mechanism applied where a party to that mechanism is established in a third country in which taxation is either non-existent or much more favourable.
Amendment    48 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 8a – paragraph 6
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 6. To facilitate the exchange the Commission shall adopt any measures and practical arrangements necessary for the implementation of this Article, including measures to standardise the communication of the information set out in paragraph 5 of this Article, as part of the procedure for establishing the standard form provided in Article 20(5). 6. To facilitate the exchange the Commission shall adopt any measures and practical arrangements necessary for the implementation of this Article, including measures to standardise the communication of the information set out in paragraph 5 of this Article, as part of the procedure for establishing the standard form provided in Article 20(5). The Commission shall assist Member States which have endowed decentralised territorial or administrative bodies with tax-related competences in ensuring that they meet their responsibility to provide training and support to those bodies.
Amendment    49 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 8 a – paragraph 7
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 7. The competent authority to which information is communicated pursuant to paragraph 1 shall confirm, if possible by electronic means, the receipt of the information to the competent authority which provided the information immediately and in any event no later than seven working days. 7. The competent authority to which information is communicated pursuant to paragraph 1 shall confirm, if possible by electronic means, the receipt of the information to the competent authority which provided the information immediately and in any event no later than seven working days, thus facilitating the operation of an effective system of automatic information exchange.
Amendment    50 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – point 3 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 8a – paragraph 8
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 8. Member States may, in accordance with Article 5, request additional information, including the full text of an advance cross-border ruling or an advance pricing arrangement, from the Member State which issued it. 8. Member States – or their territorial or administrative bodies including local authorities if applicable – may, in accordance with Article 5, request additional information, including the full text of an advance ruling or an advance pricing arrangement, from the Member State which issued it.
Amendment    51 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 8a – paragraph 9 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment   9a. Member States shall notify the Commission and other Member States at an early stage about any relevant change in their tax ruling practice (application formalities, decision process, etc.);
Amendment    52 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 8a – paragraph 9 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment   9b. Member States' tax authorities shall notify the Commission and other Member States about any relevant changes to their domestic laws on corporate taxation (introduction of a new allowance, relief, exception, incentive or similar measure etc.) that could have an impact on their effective tax rates or on any other Member State's tax revenue;
Justification
The Code of Conduct Group was designed for such notifications but it has proven its limits. So the Commission should establish a mechanism via which member states can notify the Commission and other member states about any relevant change in their corporate tax law if this can have an impact on its own tax rates and/or on another member state's tax revenue.
Amendment    53 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 8b – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 1. Before 1 October 2017, Member States shall provide the Commission on an annual basis with statistics on the volume of automatic exchanges under Articles 8 and 8a and, to the extent possible, with information on the administrative and other relevant costs and benefits relating to exchanges that have taken place and any potential changes, for both tax administrations and third parties. 1. Before 1 October 2017, Member States shall provide the Commission on an annual basis with statistics on the volume of automatic exchanges under Articles 8 and 8a, the types of ruling granted, and, to the extent possible, with information on the administrative and other relevant costs and benefits relating to exchanges that have taken place and any potential changes, for both tax administrations and third parties;
Amendment    54 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 8b – paragraph 2 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment   2a. Before 1 October 2017, and on an annual basis thereafter, the Commission shall publish a report summarising the main cases contained in the secure central directory referred to in Article 21(5). In doing so, the Commission shall comply with the confidentiality provisions laid down in Article 23a.
Amendment    55 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 14 – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 3. Where a Member State makes use of any information communicated by another Member State in accordance with Article 8a, it shall send feedback thereon to the competent authority which provided the information as soon as possible, and no later than three months after the outcome of the use of the requested information is known, except if feedback has already been provided pursuant to paragraph 1 of this Article. The Commission shall determine the practical arrangements in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 26(2). 3. Where a Member State makes use of any information communicated by another Member State in accordance with Article 8a, it shall send feedback thereon to the Commission and competent authority which provided the information as soon as possible, and no later than three months after the outcome of the use of the requested information is known, except if feedback has already been provided pursuant to paragraph 1 of this Article. The Commission shall determine the practical arrangements in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 26(2).
Amendment    56 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – point 5 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 20 – paragraph 5
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 5. The automatic exchange of information on advance cross-border rulings and advance pricing arrangements pursuant to Article 8a shall be carried out using a standard form once that form has been adopted by the Commission in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 26(2). 5. The automatic exchange of information on advance rulings and advance pricing arrangements pursuant to Article 8a shall be carried out using a standard form once that form has been adopted by the Commission in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 26(2).
Amendment  57 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – point 6 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 21 – paragraph 5
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 5. The Commission shall develop a secure central directory where information to be communicated in the framework of Article 8a of this Directive may be recorded in order to satisfy the automatic exchange provided for in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 8a. The Commission shall have access to the information recorded in this directory. The necessary practical arrangements shall be adopted by the Commission in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 26(2). 5. On 31 December 2016 at the latest, the Commission shall develop a secure central directory where information to be communicated in the framework of Article 8a of this Directive must be recorded in order to satisfy the automatic exchange provided for in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 8a. Member States shall ensure that all information communicated in the framework of Article 8a of this Directive during the transitional period where the secure central directory is not yet developed is uploaded into the secure central directory by 1 April 2017. The Commission and the Member States shall have access to the information recorded in this directory. The necessary practical arrangements shall be adopted by the Commission in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 26(2).
Amendment    58 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 23 a – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 1. Information communicated to the Commission pursuant to this Directive shall be kept confidential by the Commission in accordance with the provisions applicable to Union authorities. 1. Information communicated to the Commission pursuant to this Directive shall be kept confidential by the Commission in accordance with the provisions applicable to Union authorities, as enshrined in Article 8 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
Amendment    59 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 23a – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment Information communicated to the Commission by a Member State under Article 23, as well as any report or document produced by the Commission using such information, may be transmitted to other Member States. Such transmitted information shall be covered by the obligation of official secrecy and enjoy the protection extended to similar information under the national law of the Member State which received it. Information communicated to the Commission by an EU or EEA Member State under Article 23, as well as any report or document produced by the Commission using such information, may be transmitted to other EU Member States (and in case of reciprocity also EEA Member States). Such transmitted information shall be covered by the obligation of official secrecy and enjoy the protection extended to similar information under the national law of the EU Member State (and in case of reciprocity also EEA Member State) which received it.
Amendment    60 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 23a – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment Reports and documents produced by the Commission referred to in the first subparagraph may only be used by the Member States for analytical purposes but shall not be published or made available to any other person or body without express agreement of the Commission. Reports and documents produced by the Commission referred to in the first subparagraph may only be used by the EU or EEA Member States for analytical purposes but shall not be published or made available to any other person or body without express agreement of the Commission.
Amendment    61 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8 a (new) Directive 2011/16/EU Article 23 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment   (8a) The following Article is inserted:   “Article 23b   Penalties   The Commission shall examine all penalties to be established in the event of refusal or omission of information exchange.”
Amendment    62 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1– point 9 a (new) Directive 2011/16/EU Article 25 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment   (9a) The following Article is inserted:   "Article 25a   OECD developments   This Directive shall be compatible with OECD developments and shall take into consideration the OECD comprehensive set of rules contained in the Standard for Automatic Exchange of Financial Account."
Amendment    63 Proposal for a directive Article 4 – paragraph 1– point 9 b (new) Directive 2011/16/EU Article 25 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment   (9b) The following Article is inserted:   "Article 25b   Further action of Member States   This Directive shall not preclude Member States from taking further action to develop domestic or agreement-based provisions for the prevention of tax avoidance."
Amendment    64 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 9 c (new) Directive 2011/16/EU Article 27
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment   (9c) Article 27 is amended as follows:   "Article 27   Reporting   Every three years years after entry into force, the Commission shall submit a report on the application of this Directive to the European Parliament and to the Council."

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Introduction

The challenge posed by cross-border tax avoidance, aggressive tax planning and harmful tax competition has increased considerably and has become a major focus of concern within the Union and at global level.

In its resolution of 21 May 2013, the European Parliament emphasised that the EU should take a leading role in global discussions on the fight against tax fraud, tax avoidance and tax havens, in particular in relation to promoting the exchange of information.

Under the current legal framework (Directive 2011/16/EU on administrative cooperation), Member States share very little information with one another about their tax rulings.

A tax ruling is a confirmation or assurance that tax authorities give to tax-payers on how their tax will be calculated. Tax rulings are typically issued to provide legal certainty for taxpayers, often by confirming the tax treatment of a large or complex commercial transaction. Tax rulings are mostly given in advance of the transaction taking place or a tax return being filed.

Member States have discretion to decide whether a tax ruling might be relevant to another EU country. As a result, Member States do not spontaneously exchange their tax rulings and are often unaware of cross-border tax rulings issued elsewhere in the EU which may impact their own tax bases. The lack of transparency on tax rulings is being exploited by certain companies in order to artificially reduce their tax contribution.

An increase in transparency is therefore urgently required. The tools and mechanisms established by Council Directive 2011/16/EU need to be enhanced in order to achieve this.

The Commission proposal

The draft directive amends Directive 2011/16/EU on administrative cooperation, as amended by Directive 2014/107/EU. It introduces a new Article into the existing Directive, setting out the scope and conditions for the mandatory automatic exchange of information on types of cross-border tax rulings and transfer pricing arrangements. This obligation is extended to rulings issued in the ten years before the date on which the proposed Directive takes effect that are still valid on the date of entry into force of the Directive.

Specific aspects of the proposal

Scope of the exchange of information

The Commission proposes to limit the scope of mandatory exchange of information to cross-border tax rulings and transfer pricing arrangements.

Timeline to exchange information

The Commission proposes to set a strict timeline: every three months, national tax authorities will have to send a report, via a secure email system, to all other Member States on all cross-border tax rulings that they have issued. Member States will then be able to ask for more detailed information on a particular ruling.

Information to be provided

The proposal outlines the standard information that Member States would have to include in the quarterly reports on their tax rulings. This covers:

- Name of taxpayer and group (where this applies);

- A description of the issues addressed in the tax ruling;

- A description of the criteria used to determine an advance pricing arrangement;

- Identification of the Member State(s) most likely to be affected;

- Identification of any other taxpayer likely to be affected (apart from natural persons)

The Commission proposes that the way this information is presented is standardised via a delegated act.

Secure central directory

The proposed Directive also enables the possible creation by the Commission of a secure central directory where information to be communicated in the framework of the Directive may be recorded. The Commission will have access to the information recorded in this directory.

Some issues for discussion

Your rapporteur has a global positive assessment of the proposal, notably on the obligation to exchange rulings issued in the ten years before the date on which the proposed Directive takes effect and that are still valid on the date of entry into force of the Directive. Your rapporteur does not consider necessary to extend this period beyond the ten years since data might not be available anymore.

On the scope of the mandatory exchange of information, your rapporteur has doubts as regards limiting the mandatory exchange of information to cross-border tax rulings and price arrangements. Indeed, he considers that advance tax rulings and price arrangements may have a cross-border dimension even though they relate to purely national transactions, notably in the case of cascade transactions where the advance tax ruling or price arrangement concerns the first national transactions, without consideration of the next (cross-border) transactions.

Furthermore, your rapporteur considers that in order to reap the benefits of the mandatory automatic exchange of advance rulings and advance pricing arrangements, the information should be communicated promptly after they are issued.

In order to enhance transparency for citizens, the Commission should on the basis of the content of the secure central directory publish an annual report summarizing the main cases while respecting the confidentiality provisions outlined in the Directive.

Conclusion

The rapporteur welcomes the Commission's proposal as a positive step towards more transparency. He however considers that the proposal would gain in clarity and efficiency with the proposed amendments.

14.10.2015

OPINION of the Committee on Legal Affairs

for the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

on the proposal for a Council directive amending Directive 2011/16/EU as regards mandatory automatic exchange of information in the field of taxation

(COM(2015)0135 – C8‑0085/2015 – 2015/0068(CNS))

Rapporteur: Angel Dzhambazki

AMENDMENTS

The Committee on Legal Affairs calls on the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, as the committee responsible, to take into account the following amendments:

Amendment    1 Proposal for a directive Citation 2 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	Having regard to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, in particular the respect for the right to the protection of personal data and the freedom to conduct a business,
Amendment    2 Proposal for a directive Recital 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(1) The challenge posed by cross-border tax avoidance, aggressive tax planning and harmful tax competition has increased considerably and has become a major focus of concern within the Union and at global level. Tax base erosion is considerably reducing national tax revenues, which hinders Member States in applying growth-friendly tax policies. In particular, rulings concerning tax-driven structures lead to a low level of taxation of artificially high amounts of income in the country giving the advance ruling and may leave artificially low amounts of income to be taxed in any other countries involved. An increase in transparency is therefore urgently required. The tools and mechanisms established by Council Directive 2011/16/EU13 need to be enhanced in order to achieve this.	(1) The challenge posed by cross-border tax avoidance, aggressive tax planning and harmful tax practices has increased considerably and has become a major focus of concern within the Union and at global level. Tax base erosion is considerably reducing national tax revenues, which hinders Member States in applying growth-friendly tax policies. However, some rulings concerning tax-driven structures led to a low level of taxation of artificially high amounts of income in the country issuing, amending or reviewing the advance ruling and left artificially low amounts of income to be taxed in any other countries involved. An increase in transparency and further action at EU level is therefore urgently required. Illegitimate tax avoidance models should be abolished. The tools and mechanisms established by Council Directive 2011/16/EU13 need to be enhanced in order to achieve this.
________________	________________
13 Council Directive 2011/16/EU of 15 February 2011 on administrative cooperation in the field of taxation and repealing Directive 77/799/EEC (OJ L 64 of 11.3.2011, p. 1).	13 Council Directive 2011/16/EU of 15 February 2011 on administrative cooperation in the field of taxation and repealing Directive 77/799/EEC (OJ L 64 of 11.3.2011, p. 1).
Amendment    3 Proposal for a directive Recital 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(2) The European Council, in its conclusions of 18 December 2014, underlined the urgent need to advance efforts in the fight against tax avoidance and aggressive tax planning both at the global and Union levels. Stressing the importance of transparency, the European Council welcomed the Commission’s intention to submit a proposal on the automatic exchange of information on tax rulings in the Union.	(2) The European Council, in its conclusions of 18 December 2014, underlined the urgent need to advance efforts in the fight against tax avoidance and aggressive tax planning both at the global and European levels. Stressing the importance of transparency, the European Council welcomed the Commission’s intention to submit a proposal on the automatic exchange of information on tax rulings in the Union.
Amendment    4 Proposal for a directive Recital 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(3) Directive 2011/16/EU provides for mandatory spontaneous exchange of information between Member States in five specific cases and within certain deadlines. The spontaneous exchange of information in cases where the competent authority of one Member State has grounds for supposing that there may be a loss of tax in another Member State already applies to tax rulings that a Member State gives to a specific taxpayer regarding the interpretation or application of tax provisions in the future and that have a cross-border dimension.	(3) Directive 2011/16/EU provides for mandatory spontaneous exchange of information between Member States in five specific cases and within certain deadlines and clarifies that Member States are not at liberty to engage in ‘fishing expeditions’ or to request information that is unlikely to be relevant to the tax affairs of a given taxpayer. The spontaneous exchange of information in cases where the competent authority of one Member State has grounds for supposing that there may be a loss of tax in another Member State already applies to tax rulings that a Member State gives to a specific taxpayer regarding the interpretation or application of tax provisions in the future and that have a cross-border dimension.
Amendment    5 Proposal for a directive Recital 5
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(5) The possibility that the provision of information may be refused where it would lead to the disclosure of a commercial, industrial or professional secret of a commercial process, or of information whose disclosure would be contrary to public policy should not apply to provisions of mandatory automatic exchange of information on advance cross-border rulings and advance pricing arrangements in order not to reduce the effectiveness of these exchanges. The limited nature of the information that is required to be shared with all Member States should ensure sufficient protection of those commercial interests.	(5) The possibility that the provision of information may be refused where it would lead to the disclosure of a commercial, industrial or professional secret of a commercial process, or of information whose disclosure would be contrary to public policy should not apply to provisions of mandatory automatic exchange of information on advance cross-border rulings and advance pricing arrangements in order not to reduce the effectiveness, role and proper functioning of these exchanges. The limited nature of the information that is required to be shared with all Member States should ensure a minimum level of sufficient protection of those commercial interests.
Amendment    6 Proposal for a directive Recital 5 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(5a) Advanced tax rulings ensure the consistent and transparent application of the law.
Amendment    7 Proposal for a directive Recital 5 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(5b) Transparent tax rules provide legal certainty for taxpayers and businesses and generate investment.
Amendment    8 Proposal for a directive Recital 6
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(6) In order to reap the benefits of the mandatory automatic exchange of advance cross-border rulings and advance pricing arrangements, the information should be communicated promptly after they are issued and therefore regular intervals for the communication of the information should be established.	(6) In order to reap the benefits of the mandatory automatic exchange of advance cross-border rulings and advance pricing arrangements, the information should be communicated without delay after they are issued. Efficient and effective penalties can be developed in cases of non-compliance. .
Amendment    9 Proposal for a directive Recital 8
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(8) Member States should exchange the basic information to be communicated also with the Commission. This would enable the Commission at any point in time to monitor and evaluate the effective application of the automatic exchange of information on advance cross-border rulings and advance pricing arrangements. Such communication will not discharge a Member State from its obligations to notify any state aid to the Commission.	(8) Member States should exchange the basic information with the new central transparent security register for tax matters. The role of the Commission, according to the Treaties, is to seek to ensure the proper application of Union law in the interest of the citizens. In this regard, the Commission should take the necessary steps to monitor compliance with the law to tackle tax avoidance, while respecting tax sovereignty. The fundamental principle of the Member States’ sovereignty in tax matters must be upheld where direct taxes are concerned and the subsidiarity principle must not be jeopardised. The Commission should apply EU state aid rules effectively and stringently to combat aggressive tax planning. It is of the utmost importance that companies pay taxes in the countries in which they generate their profits.
Amendment    10 Proposal for a directive Recital 9
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(9) Feedback by the receiving Member State to the Member State sending the information is a necessary element of the operation of an effective system of automatic information exchange. It is therefore appropriate to provide for measures enabling the provision of feedback in cases where the information has been used and where no feedback can be provided under other provisions of Directive 2011/16/EU.	(9) Feedback by the receiving Member State to the Member State sending the information is a necessary element of the operation of an effective system of automatic information exchange, as it encourages administrative cooperation between Member States. It is therefore appropriate to provide for measures enabling the provision of feedback in cases where the information has been used and where no feedback can be provided under other provisions of Directive 2011/16/EU.
Amendment    11 Proposal for a directive Recital 11
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(11) Member States should take all measures necessary to remove any obstacle that might hinder the effective and widest possible mandatory automatic exchange of information on advance cross-border rulings and advance pricing arrangements.	(11) Member States should take all measures necessary to remove any obstacle that might hinder the effective and widest possible mandatory automatic exchange of information on advance cross-border rulings and advance pricing arrangements in order to enhance cooperation and transparency, taking the global OECD standard for standard automatic exchange of information into consideration as a minimum standard and also the fact that Member States have committed to measures to prevent tax avoidance by implementing and considering going beyond G20-OECD models for country by country reporting.
Amendment    12 Proposal for a directive Recital 15 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(15a) Account should also be taken of the reasoned opinion of the Swedish Parliament on the principle of subsidiarity sent under Article 6 of Protocol No 2, where it confirms that the current proposal is within the limits of what is necessary for achieving an effective exchange of information, while, on the other hand, considers that the broad manner of the requirement to provide information may generate such a large quantity of information that could impede the attainment of the aim; and where the Swedish Parliament also raises concerns that the present proposal goes beyond what is necessary in some respects, including the long period of retroactivity.;
Amendment    13 Proposal for a directive Recital 15 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(15b) It is essential that the fundamental principle of the Member sStates’ 'sovereignty in tax matters must be upheld where direct taxes are concerned and that the current proposal must does not jeopardise the subsidiarity principle.
Amendment    14 Proposal for a directive Recital 16
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(16) This Directive respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. In particular, this Directive seeks to ensure full respect for the right to the protection of personal data and the freedom to conduct a business.	(16) This Directive respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. In particular, this Directive seeks to ensure full respect for the right to the protection of personal data and the freedom to conduct a business. The personal data must be processed for specific, explicit and legitimate purposes and only if adequate, relevant and not excessive in relation to the purposes. Any restriction of those rights should only be imposed provided that the conditions set out in Article 52(1) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights are complied with. Subject to the principle of proportionality, restrictions may be imposed provided that they comply with the necessary and true objectives of general interest recognised by the law, or satisfy the need to protect the rights and liberties of others.
Amendment    15 Proposal for a directive Recital 17
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(17) Since the objective of this Directive, namely the efficient administrative cooperation between Member States under conditions compatible with the proper functioning of the Internal Market, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States but can rather, by reason of the uniformity and effectiveness required, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Directive does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective.	(17) Since the objective of this Directive, namely the efficient administrative cooperation between Member States under conditions compatible with the proper functioning of the Internal Market, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States but can rather, by reason of the uniformity and effectiveness required, be better achieved at European level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Directive does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective.
Amendment    16 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point a Directive 2011/16/EU Article 3 – point 9
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (a) for the purposes of Article 8(1) and Article 8a, the systematic communication of predefined information to another Member State, without prior request, at preestablished regular intervals. For the purposes of Article 8(1), reference to available information relates to information in the tax files of the Member State communicating the information, which is retrievable in accordance with the procedures for gathering and processing information in that Member State. (a) for the purposes of Article 8(1) and Article 8a, the systematic communication of predefined information to another Member State, without prior request, at preestablished regular intervals, in order to reap the benefits of the automatic exchange of information in a regular and proper manner. For the purposes of Article 8(1), reference to available information relates to information in the tax files of the Member State communicating the information, which is retrievable in accordance with the procedures for gathering and processing information in that Member State.
Amendment    17 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 8a – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 1. The competent authority of a Member State issuing or amending an advance cross-border ruling or an advance pricing arrangement after the date of entry into force of this Directive shall, by automatic exchange, communicate information thereon to the competent authorities of all other Member States as well as to the European Commission. 1. The competent authority of a Member State issuing or amending an advance cross-border ruling or an advance pricing arrangement after the date of entry into force of this Directive shall, by automatic exchange, communicate information thereon to the competent authorities of all other Member States, and to the newly established central transparent register for tax matters. The Commission shall evaluate and monitor the effective application of the automatic exchange of information.
Amendment    18 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 8a – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 2. The competent authority of a Member State shall also communicate information to the competent authorities of all other Member States as well as to the European Commission on advance cross-border rulings and advance pricing arrangements issued within a period beginning ten years before the entry into force but still valid on the date of entry into force of this Directive; 2. The competent authority of a Member State shall also communicate information to the competent authorities of all other Member States and to the central transparent register for tax matters on advance cross-border rulings and advance pricing arrangements issued within a period beginning five years before the entry into force but still valid and ongoing on the date of entry into force of this Directive.
Amendment    19 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 8 a – paragraph 7
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 7. The competent authority to which information is communicated pursuant to paragraph 1 shall confirm, if possible by electronic means, the receipt of the information to the competent authority which provided the information immediately and in any event no later than seven working days. 7. The competent authority to which information is communicated pursuant to paragraph 1 shall confirm, if possible by electronic means, the receipt of the information to the competent authority which provided the information immediately and in any event no later than seven working days, thus facilitating the operation of an effective system of automatic information exchange.
Amendment    20 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8 Directive 2011/16/EU Article 23 a – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 1. Information communicated to the Commission pursuant to this Directive shall be kept confidential by the Commission in accordance with the provisions applicable to Union authorities. 1. Information communicated to the Commission pursuant to this Directive shall be kept confidential by the Commission in accordance with the provisions applicable to Union authorities, as enshrined in Article 8 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
Amendment    21 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1– point 9 a (new) Directive 2011/16/EU Article 25 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment   (9a) The following Article is inserted:   "Article 25a   This Directive shall be compatible with OECD developments and shall take into consideration the OECD comprehensive set of rules contained in the Standard for Automatic Exchange of Financial Account."
Amendment    22 Proposal for a directive Article 4 – paragraph 1– point 9 b (new) Directive 2011/16/EU Article 25 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment   (9b) The following Article is inserted:   "Article 25b   This Directive shall not preclude Member States from taking further action to develop domestic or agreement- based provisions for the prevention of tax avoidance."

PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

Title	Mandatory automatic exchange of information in the field of taxation
References	COM(2015)0135 – C8-0085/2015 – 2015/0068(CNS)
Committee responsible        Date announced in plenary	ECON 15.4.2015
Opinion by        Date announced in plenary	JURI 15.4.2015
Rapporteur        Date appointed	Angel Dzhambazki 31.8.2015
Discussed in committee	15.9.2015
Date adopted	13.10.2015
Result of final vote	+: –: 0:	13 9 1
Members present for the final vote	Max Andersson, Joëlle Bergeron, Marie-Christine Boutonnet, Kostas Chrysogonos, Therese Comodini Cachia, Mady Delvaux, Rosa Estaràs Ferragut, Laura Ferrara, Enrico Gasbarra, Lidia Joanna Geringer de Oedenberg, Mary Honeyball, Sajjad Karim, Dietmar Köster, Gilles Lebreton, António Marinho e Pinto, Julia Reda, Evelyn Regner, Pavel Svoboda, József Szájer, Axel Voss, Tadeusz Zwiefka
Substitutes present for the final vote	Stefano Maullu
Substitutes under Rule 200(2) present for the final vote	Andrew Lewer

PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

Title	Mandatory automatic exchange of information in the field of taxation
References	COM(2015)0135 – C8-0085/2015 – 2015/0068(CNS)
Date of consulting Parliament	31.3.2015
Committee responsible        Date announced in plenary	ECON 15.4.2015
Committees asked for opinions        Date announced in plenary	CONT 15.4.2015	IMCO 15.4.2015	JURI 15.4.2015	LIBE 15.4.2015
Not delivering opinions        Date of decision	CONT 16.6.2015	IMCO 20.4.2015	LIBE 31.3.2015
Rapporteurs        Date appointed	Markus Ferber 28.4.2015
Discussed in committee	15.9.2015	13.10.2015
Date adopted	13.10.2015
Result of final vote	+: –: 0:	49 6 0
Members present for the final vote	Gerolf Annemans, Burkhard Balz, Hugues Bayet, Udo Bullmann, Esther de Lange, Fabio De Masi, Anneliese Dodds, Markus Ferber, Jonás Fernández, Elisa Ferreira, Sven Giegold, Sylvie Goulard, Roberto Gualtieri, Brian Hayes, Gunnar Hökmark, Danuta Maria Hübner, Cătălin Sorin Ivan, Petr Ježek, Georgios Kyrtsos, Philippe Lamberts, Bernd Lucke, Olle Ludvigsson, Fulvio Martusciello, Marisa Matias, Costas Mavrides, Bernard Monot, Luděk Niedermayer, Stanisław Ożóg, Dimitrios Papadimoulis, Dariusz Rosati, Alfred Sant, Molly Scott Cato, Peter Simon, Renato Soru, Theodor Dumitru Stolojan, Kay Swinburne, Paul Tang, Ramon Tremosa i Balcells, Marco Valli, Tom Vandenkendelaere, Cora van Nieuwenhuizen, Miguel Viegas, Pablo Zalba Bidegain, Marco Zanni
Substitutes present for the final vote	Bas Eickhout, Doru-Claudian Frunzulică, Danuta Jazłowiecka, Eva Kaili, Thomas Mann, Emmanuel Maurel, Siegfried Mureşan, Andreas Schwab, Nils Torvalds, Beatrix von Storch
Substitutes under Rule 200(2) present for the final vote	Mark Demesmaeker
Date tabled	20.10.2015