Companies operating in tax havens

29.4.2020

Question for written answer E-002614/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Aurore Lalucq

A number of European countries have issued announcements denying public support for companies operating in tax havens. While these words are commendable, it must be stressed that they will be difficult to put into effect until a solution has been found for designating the jurisdictions concerned and demonstrating companies’ tax evasion strategies.

In order to better combat tax evasion by large corporations and ensure a better use of public money:

• 1.What plans does the Commission have to move beyond the list approach and devise a new method enabling closer scrutiny of the fiscal practices in other jurisdictions?
• 2.How can the burden of proof be shifted to companies so that they are obliged to demonstrate that their presence in a reputed tax haven is justified on sound commercial or financial grounds?