Statement by Alain LAMASSOURE (EPP, FR), Chair of the TAXE Committee on the Fairer Corporate&nbsp;Tax for EU - Action Plan

Brussels

statement

Taxation (T2)

financial transaction tax (T)

LAMASSOURE, Alain (EPP, FR)

Fairer Corporate Tax for EU - Action Plan: Statement by Alain LAMASSOURE (EPP, FR), Chair of the TAXE Committee

SOUNDBITE (English), Alain LAMASSOURE (EPP, FR), Chair of the TAXE Committee, "The content is relatively good, but not ambitious enough. And, above all I insist on the urgency. We need to take advantage of the current window of opportunity to press ahead with a political aim. We have been targeting for the last 20 years the definition of a common tax base for corporate taxation in Europe. Because when we consider all the 28 public policies, we realise that the fact that the corporate tax is assessed, evaluated and implemented differently in the 28 jurisdictions, Member States,is a drawback for the European corporates, and, enables some of the biggest multinationals to avoid taxation in a scandalous way."

SOUNDBITE (English), Alain LAMASSOURE (EPP, FR), Chair of the TAXE Committee, "I am a bit disappointed by this lack of urgency in the Commission's proposal. We don't have yet a formal legislative proposal. Hopefully in the next few weeks we will have a formal legislative proposal, to ensure that political debate takes place among the Member next fall after the summer break, and that the right political decisions are taken without more ado."

SOUNDBITE (English), Alain LAMASSOURE (EPP, FR), Chair of the TAXE Committee, "In the early 70's we decided to have the same definition of VAT tax base. And to ensure tax competition and VAT through the rates, we have different rates with the same tax base, and it is the same approach the Commission is proposing, and which we, the Parliament support for corporate taxation."

SOUNDBITE (English), Alain LAMASSOURE (EPP, FR), Chair of the TAXE Committee, <p>"I fully agree with the with the principles of tax competition, but on the condition that the rules and principles which apply on fair competition everywhere else, on trade, on industry, agriculture etc. must apply also on taxation. And what are these principles and rules? Transparency, loyalty and fairness."</p>