On 13 December the ECJ has rendered its judgment in C-446/03 Marks & Spencer. The court’s decision has been eagerly awaited by tax authorities and governments in all European Member States, as well as group companies themselves.
The ECJ has declared that the British tax regime governing groups of companies is incompliant with the freedom of […]

On 12 December 2005 the councel of the European Union agreed to extend the minimum standard VAT rate of 15% until the end of 2010. In this respect, a directive is adopted. Read more.

What is the Notional Interest Deduction?
Which companies can benefit?
How is the deduction calculated?

Taxable profits and net assets
Corrections to the net assets
Risk-free interest rate
Order of deductions

What are the anti-abuse measures companies need to be aware of ?

General anti-abuse measure
Abuse of tax assets
Simulation

What is the Notional Interest Deduction?
After the European Commission declared the “co-ordination” regime a […]

Advocate General Tizanno has recently rendered his opinion in case C-292/04 Meilicke. The case concerns German tax legislation limiting the availability of tax credits on dividends distributed by companies established in Germany. Tax rules in question are similar to the tax rules examined by the ECJ in case C-319/02 Manninen.
The Advocate General found that […]

A new beneficial tax regime will be applied in Belgium regarding environmental investments in R&D and patents. The beneficial regime will consist of a tax credit which will even be refundable. This new system will have no real consequences since the beneficial regime which existed before will still be applicable and for the new system […]

Ministers will continue their discussion concerning the achievment of a political agreement on reduced VAT rates. The final aim is to find a balance between those Member States pressing for more national flexibility in this area and those that wish to restrict the scope of reduced rates across the EU. read the official press release. […]

le conseil des ministres a étudié un projet de loi élargissant le champs d’intervention des avocats en matière fiscale

The European Commission adopted two proposals to modernise the EU Customs Code and to introduce an electronic, paper-free customs environment in the EU. These proposal have as aim to increase the competitiveness of companies doing business in Europe, to reduce compliance costs and to improve EU security. read the press release.