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Representation in Ireland

EU taxation policy

Tax is a sensitive subject - nobody enjoys paying it, but it's necessary to provide us with essential infrastructure and services.

We all pay tax one way or another, whether it’s taken directly from wages, paid in an annual tax return to Revenue or indirectly added on to the price of goods and services in the form of Value Added Tax (VAT), stamp duties and the like.

The European Commission believes there is no need for broad harmonisation of tax systems across the European Union.

Ireland, along with all EU Member States, is free to choose its own tax systems but some co-ordination is necessary to ensure citizens and businesses fully benefit from the Single Market.

The EU Tax Policy Strategy is focused on removing tax obstacles to all cross-border economic activity, eliminating harmful tax competition and combatting tax evasion and avoidance.

Green Taxation

The European Green Deal sets out ambitious targets to tackle climate change and transform Europe into a climate-neutral continent by 2050.

Green taxation can play an active, positive role in achieving this ambition through energy taxes on fossil fuels like diesel, petrol, coal and natural gas.

Applied fairly, green taxes encourage a switch to cleaner energy sources and mitigate resource waste and damage to the environment.

Green taxation can also help promote sustainable growth and maintain tax revenue levels for EU Member States, potentially allowing them to cut other taxes, such as those on labour.

The Commission encourages Member States to design appropriate green taxes that address specific national environmental issues and target those who pollute or waste the most.

Ireland’s proposed Climate Action and Low Carbon Development bill includes a legal requirement for the Irish Government to adopt a series of economy-wide five-year carbon budgets.

The transition towards climate neutrality can’t be achieved by taxation alone, but used with other incentives such as subsidies, investment in public infrastructure and support for low-income households, green taxes can help Europe reach its climate targets.


Green taxation

Commission study on taxation in support of green transition

Ireland’s Climate Action and Low Carbon Development bill

Taxation role in European Green Deal

Fair and simple taxation

Value Added Tax

Corporate Tax

Ireland’s corporate tax rate is amongst the lowest in Europe, and it can only be changed by the Irish Government. However, the global tax landscape is changing and reforms are needed to address challenges arising from the digitalisation of the international economy.

The European Commission is pushing for progress on a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB), which would see a single set of rules to calculate the taxable profits of companies based in the EU.

The CCCTB would provide a level-playing field between all companies, maintaining the EU’s competitiveness in the global marketplace, avoiding unnecessary administrative complexity and providing tax certainty.

The reform of cooperate tax is an international topic and over 135 countries and jurisdictions are collaborating on measures to tackle tax avoidance strategies used by some multinational enterprises.

This multilateral approach through the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting will help inform both Ireland’s and the European Union’s future approach to cooperate tax.


OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting

Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB)

Ireland’s Corporation Tax Roadmap

Customs

Latest taxation news