European Commission Algirdas Šemeta Commissioner responsible for Taxation and Customs Union, Statistics, Audit and Anti-fraudSPEECH – Statement at the Midday Press Briefing Brussels, 23 April 2013 Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a pleasure to be here to pr…
EU Audit
Fighting tax evasion: Commission sets up a Platform for Tax Good Governance
European Commission Press release Brussels, 23 April 2013 As part of its concerted drive against tax evasion and avoidance, the Commission today set up the new Platform for Tax Good Governance. The Platform will monitor Member States’ progress in tackl…
Commission welcomes EP positive vote on discharge for the 2011 EU budget
European Press release Strasbourg, 17 April 2013 Commission The Commission welcomes today’s decision by the European Parliament to grant discharge to the Commission in respect of the implementation of the 2011 EU budget. Algirdas Šemeta, Commissioner r…
Commission welcomes EP positive vote on discharge for the 2011 EU budget
The Commission welcomes the European Parliament’s decision to grant discharge to the Commission in respect of the implementation of the 2011 EU budget.Algirdas Šemeta, Commissioner responsible for Taxation, Customs, Statistics, Audit and Anti-Fraud, sa…
Commissioner Šemeta on tax evasion: Ecofin speaking points
The surge in Member States’ appetite for progress and action in the fight against evasion is extremely welcome. They echo what the Commission has long been calling for. And as a result, the tools are already on the table, waiting to be seized.
Commissioner Šemeta on tax evasion: Ecofin speaking points
European Commission MEMO Dublin, 13 April 2013 It’s a bit of a surprise – but a very nice one – to be here in Dublin today, and to be able to share with you the outcome of a highly engaging discussion we had on tax evasion.
Statement by Commissioner Šemeta on fighting tax evasion
„Recent developments, fuelled by the outcome of the Offshore Leaks, confirms the urgency for more and better action against tax evasion. The Commission has long advocated more transparency and stronger common tools to fight fraudsters, discourage evade…
Statement by Commissioner Šemeta on fighting tax evasion
European Commission MEMO Brussels, 8 April 2013 „Recent developments, fuelled by the outcome of the Offshore Leaks, confirms the urgency for more and better action against tax evasion. The Commission has long advocated more transparency and stronger co…
Commissioner Šemeta welcomes EP vote on the revision of the European System of Accounts
Algirdas Šemeta, European Commissioner responsible for Statistics, has welcomed the European Parliament’s endorsement today of the proposed Regulation on ESA 2010. This will allow a revised methodological framework for national accounts data, adapted t…
Commissioner Šemeta welcomes EP vote on the revision of the European System of Accounts (ESA 2010)
European Commission MEMO Brussels, 13 March 2013 Algirdas Šemeta, European Commissioner responsible for Statistics, has welcomed the European Parliament’s endorsement today of the proposed Regulation on ESA 2010. This will allow a revised methodologica…
Commissioner Šemeta: "We want the UK on board for the FTT"
In the discussion on Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) in the UK House of Lords Commissioner Šemeta said: „It is in the overall European interest to have strong financial centers – in London as well as in Paris and Frankfurt. We want the …
Flash estimate for the fourth quarter of 2011 Euro area and EU27 GDP down by 0.3% +0.7% and +0.9% respectively compared with the fourth quarter of 2010
STAT/12/26 15 February 2012 Flash estimate for the fourth quarter of 2011 Euro area and EU27 GDP down by 0.3% +0.7% and +0.9% respectively compared with the fourth quarter of 2010 GDP fell by 0.3% in both the euro area1 (EA17) and the EU271 during the …
First estimate for 2011 Euro area external trade deficit 7.7 bn euro 152.8 bn euro deficit for EU27
STAT/12/27 15 February 2012 The first estimate for the euro area1 (EA17) trade in goods balance with the rest of the world in December 2011 gave a 9.7 bn euro surplus, compared with -1.7 bn in December 2010….
Macroeconomic Imbalance Procedure Scoreboard Eurostat indicators to support the detection of macroeconomic imbalances
STAT/12/25 14 February 2012 Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, publishes for the first time today the indicators of the Macroeconomic Imbalance Procedure (MIP) Scoreboard. The Scoreboard indicators1 provide the statistical support …
December 2011 compared with November 2011 Industrial production down by 1.1% in euro area Down by 0.6% in EU27
STAT/12/24 14 February 2012 In December 2011 compared with November 2011, seasonally adjusted industrial production1 fell by 1.1% in the euro area2 (EA17) and by 0.6% in the EU272. In November3 production remained stable in both zones….
EU – China Summit EU27 exports to China up by 21% and imports by 5% in the first ten months of 2011
STAT/12/23 13 February 2012 EU27 trade in goods with China1 has grown significantly over the last decade. EU27 exports to China rose continuously from 26 billion euro in 2000 to 113 bn in 2010. Despite the general decline in EU27 exports in 2009, EU27 …
Commission welcomes US move to ensure enhanced international tax cooperation in a more business-friendly way
The Commission welcomes the USA’s acceptance of an government-to-government approach to tackling tax evaders and implementing the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).This more business-friendly arrangement for EU financial institutions is the…
Commission welcomes US move to ensure enhanced international tax cooperation in a more business-friendly way
MEMO/12/88 Brussels, 8th February 2012 The Commission welcomes the USA’s acceptance of an government-to-government approach to tackling tax evaders and implementing the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA)….
MEMO on Organic Wine rules – Frequently Asked Questions
MEMO/12/81 Brussels, 8 February 2012 What does „organic” mean? „Organic” farming relates to agricultural production systems that seek to provide the consumer with fresh, tasty and authentic food while respecting natural life-cycle systems….
Tax Coordination: TPG discusses FATCA, VAT and national tax reforms
Improving and accelerating tax coordination in key areas that can contribute to economic stability and growth is the focus of today’s meeting of the Tax Policy Group (TPG) in Brussels.Algirdas Šemeta, Commissioner for Taxation, Customs, Anti-Fraud and…
Algirdas Šemeta EU Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud Statement welcoming EU-US mutual recognition of safe traders Post TEC Press conference Washington, 29 november 2011
SPEECH/11/830 A huge step forward has been taken in the EU-US trade relationship – and in securing the supply chain at global level. Yesterday, I met with Secretary Napolitano and had an open and frank discussion of how we cooperate in this field….
EU and US boost economic partnership
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 29 November 2011 – The European Union and the United States today strengthened transatlantic economic ties through a number of new initiatives. At the Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC), senior EU and US …
Customs: Commission requests Italy to review its judicial practice on remission and repayment of duties
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 24 November 2011 – The European Commission has formally requested Italy to implement proper appeal procedures on requests for remission or reimbursement of customs duties….
EU law: Commission acts to ensure that European legislation is fully and properly implemented
MEMO/11/824 Brussels, 24 November 2011 BUDGET EMPLOYMENT ENERGY ENTREPRISE ENVIRONMENT HOME AFFAIRS DIGITAL AGENDA JUSTICE INTERNAL MARKET TRANSPORT HEALTH & CONSUMERS TAX & CUSTOMS AT 1429 1410 1411 BE 1417 1429 1424 BG 1437 1429 CY 1431 1429 1432 144…
Taxation: the European Commission asks Belgium to end the additional taxation of certain types of income from capital
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 24November2011 – The European Commission has officially asked Belgium to abolish additional taxation of certain types of income from capital deriving from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and not …
Taxation: The Commission takes Italy to Court over its VAT exemption for ships
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 24 November 2011 – The European Commission has decided to refer Italy to the Court of Justice for the VAT exemption it grants to ships. Under the VAT Directive, a VAT exemption can be granted, subject to …
Taxation: Commission refers the Netherlands to the Court of Justice over discriminatory inheritance and gift tax rules
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 24 November 2011 – The European Commission has decided to refer the Netherlands to the EU’s Court of Justice for discriminatory rules on inheritance and gift duties….
Algirdas Šemeta EU Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud "Tax reforms needed for consolidation and growth" Annual Growth Survey – Press Conference Brussels, 23 November 2011
SPEECH/11/797 Algirdas Šemeta EU Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud ” Tax reforms needed for consolidation and growth” Annual Growth Survey – Press Conference Brussels, 23 November 2011 In the coordination of fiscal poli…
Taxation: More efficient cooperation in collecting excise duties
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 14 November 2011 – New rules on administrative cooperation in the field of excise duties, which would speed up the collection of the duties and improve Member States’ controls on the revenue, have been pr…
Tackling double taxation for a stronger Single Market
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 11 November 2011 – Double taxation, and double non-taxation, contradict the very spirit of the Single Market. Yet many citizens and businesses are still suffering heavier tax burdens just because they ope…
Algirdas Šemeta EU Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud "Speech on Court of Auditors annual report for 2010" Annual report of the Court of Auditors Brussels, 10 November 2011
SPEECH/11/747 Mr. Rapporteur, President Caldeira, Honorable Members of this Committee and of the Court of Auditors, The Court of Auditors Annual Report on the financial year 2010 together with the Commission replies is the outcome of an intensive and …
Another clean bill of health for EU accounts; auditors find improvements in many payment areas
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 10 November 2011 – For the fourth year in a row, the EU’s annual accounts have received a clean bill of health from its external auditors. As for EU spending, the overall error rate is once again below 4%….
Annual report of the European Court of Auditors
MEMO/11/771 Brussels, 09 November 2011 What is the Court of Auditors’ annual report? The European Court of Auditors (ECA) is the independent external auditor of the European Union. Each year, the Court publishes an Annual Report on the implementation …
Taxation and Customs: Delivering to Member States, citizens and businesses post-2014
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 09 November 2011 – EU Customs and Taxation policy make a substantial contribution in helping to raise revenues for the EU and Member States’ budgets every year….
Q&A: FISCUS programme for taxation and customs 2014-20
MEMO/11/767 Brussels, 9 November 2011 What is FISCUS? FISCUS is the new financing programme covering EU customs and taxation for the period 2014-20, as foreseen within the Multi-Annual Financial Framework proposal adopted by the Commission in June (see…
Algirdas Šemeta EU Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud Post-ECOFIN Statement on Financial Transactions Tax ECOFIN Press Conference Brussels, 8 November 2011
SPEECH/11/729 Today I had the chance to personally present the Commission’s proposal for a Financial Transactions Tax to the EU’s Finance Ministers. The discussion that followed was extremely interesting – although it is no secret that more discussio…
Olli Rehn appointed Commission Vice President, with additional instruments, Algirdas Šemeta responsible for Eurostat
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 27 October 2011 – Today, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, has decided to reinforce the role of the Commissioner competent for economic and monetary affairs by elevating the post to that of…
Taxation: Commission refers Spain to the Court of Justice over discriminatory inheritance and gift tax rules
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 27 October 2011 – The European Commission has decided to refer Spain to the EU’s Court of Justice for discriminatory rules on inheritance and gift tax that require non-residents to pay higher taxes than r…
Car registration tax: Commission requests Ireland and Spain to modify rules on vehicles from other Member States
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 27 October 2011 – The European Commission has formally requested Ireland and Spain to change the way in which they tax leased or rented vehicles from another Member State, as well as company cars in the cas…
Taxation: Commission refers Cyprus to the Court of Justice over discriminatory car taxation rules
European Commission – Press release Brussels 27 October 2011 – The Commission has today decided to refer Cyprus to the EU’s Court of Justice because its car taxation rules discriminate against non-Cypriot EU citizens who transfer a car into Cyprus….