05 May 2002

CEPS proposes a Corporate Tax Action Plan

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In a press release Karel Lannoo argues that “if the EU wants to become the ‘most competitive economy in the world’ by 2010, as stated by EU-leaders in Lisbon in 2000, corporate tax reform should rapidly become a top priority on the political agenda.”

The current tax jungle hinders competitiveness of European industry through high compliance costs, double taxation, and protectionist regulations.On the other hand, a more harmonised tax system should improve fairness, efficiency, simplicity and transparency for operators.

The EU Council should set a timetable for EU corporate tax reform in a Corporate Tax Action Plan. The European Company Statute should be adapted to current Directives and an optional corporate tax base should be established. Therefore the European Company Statute provides a unique opportunity to develop a more co-ordinated European corporate tax system.

Press release: An EU Company without an EU tax?

© CEPS - Centre for European Policy Studies