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Parliamentary question - E-002860/2020Parliamentary question
E-002860/2020

Unfair competition caused by European tax havens

Question for written answer E-002860/2020
to the Council
Rule 138
Laura Ferrara (NI), Isabella Adinolfi (NI), Chiara Gemma (NI), Rosa D'Amato (NI), Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI), Sabrina Pignedoli (NI), Daniela Rondinelli (NI), Eleonora Evi (NI), Mario Furore (NI)

Taxation is a sovereign power of the Member States. Under the Treaties, the EU nevertheless has the powers needed to harmonise taxation laws and hence ensure the smooth functioning of the single market and avoid distortions in competition.

Despite this, Belgium, Cyprus, Hungary, Ireland, Luxemburg, Malta and the Netherlands are Member States which have until now permitted practices in the field of taxation which undermine the fairness of the single market.

In these seven countries, a host of firms and multinationals do not pay tax on dividends, interest or royalties, thereby creating unfair tax competition and tax dumping which significantly alter the single market and prevent it from functioning properly.

The Italian Competition and Market Authority estimates that Italy forfeits between EUR 5 billion and EUR 8 billion each year because of competition from tax havens within the EU.

In the light of the above, and also in view of the COVID-19 emergency, can the Council answer the following questions:

Last updated: 20 May 2020
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