Press Release

28/03/2007

Company Taxation: Kauppi welcomes Commission's push to introduce common tax base by 2010. Piia-Noora Kauppi MEP

Piia-Noora Kauppi MEP has expressed her support for the plans of the European Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union - reiterated on Monday 26 March - to accelerate work towards a common EU corporate tax base, despite resistance from some Member States.

Kauppi, a Member of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee of the European Parliament and rapporteur on the ongoing EU plan to improve national systems for corporate tax relief in cases of cross-border losses, noted that progress on the common company tax base was vital for the development of the internal market.

"Differences in how companies are taxed represent one of the main obstacles for doing business cross-border. I strongly welcome the decisive approach taken by the Commissioner in pushing the scheme through. The idea to use Treaty provisions enabling enhanced cooperation between a group of countries is also welcome, as this does away with the concerns of the usual Member States preaching tax sovereignty", Kauppi said.

"The idea of a common consolidated corporate tax base (CCCTB) has been on the table since 2001 and I am happy that the Commission is thinking of new ways to move ahead. We are talking about an opt-in system of common tax rules for reducing administrative burdens and improving tax transparency, not a harmonisation of tax rates", she concluded.

For further information:
Piia-Noora Kauppi MEP, Tel: +358-50-3438404

Notes to Editors:
The EPP-ED Group is the largest political group in the European Parliament with 277 Members from all 27 Member States.