Answer given by Mr Moscovici on behalf of the Commission

1.9.2016

The Commission has set out an ambitious agenda for fairer, simpler and more effective corporate taxation in the EU in its Anti-Tax Avoidance Package. The Package contains concrete measures to prevent aggressive tax planning, boost tax transparency and create a level playing field for all businesses in the EU whether operating in the traditional or digital sectors.

The key elements of the package are:

• —The Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive, containing legally binding anti-abuse measures against common forms of aggressive tax planning. These measures will become effective as from 2019.
• —A re-launch of the Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB) which would fundamentally reform corporate taxation and provide a holistic solution to the problem of profit shifting in Europe. It would also create a better tax environment for business, reducing tax burdens.
• —The recommendation on tax treaties, advising Member States how to reinforce their tax treaties against abuse by aggressive tax planners in an EU-law compliant way.
• —The revision of the directive on Administrative Cooperation, with a view to providing Member States with the information they need to detect and prevent tax avoidance schemes, for example on country-by-country reports by multinational companies and anti-money laundering related information.
• —The External Strategy for Effective Taxation, including the establishment of an EU list of third countries that do not respect tax good governance standards, to be identified by the end of 2017.