European Parliament permanent subcommittee on tax a victory for tax justice

The European Parliament’s plenary session has voted to support a standing subcommittee to look at tax transparency and to tackle tax evasion and avoidance. The Greens/EFA group have long called for a permanent subcommittee on taxes, covering the topics of tax fraud, tax evasion and tax avoidance. 

After years of special committees (TAXE in 2015, TAX2 in 2016, TAX3 in 2018) and one inquiry committee (PANA in 2017), this is the first time the European Parliament will have a permanent body to look at these issues. This will provide Parliament with permanent dedicated resources against tax dumping and tax fraud. The Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament will have three seats and three substitute seats.

Sven Giegold MEP, financial and economic policy spokesperson of the Greens/EFA group, who has long called for a subcommittee on tax, comments:

"This is a fantastic success in the fight for tax justice that comes at the right time. Large sums of money that we need to tackle the Corona crisis are trickling away in tax swamps. If the public sector spends unprecedented amounts of money today, it must also think about tomorrow’s revenues. Instead of making the next generation pay for the recovery, we should put a stop to tax dodging and financial crime. The creation of a permanent subcommittee in the European Parliament is the just beginning of a new battle in the fight for tax justice in Europe.

"After years of ad-hoc committees, finally, the Parliament will have a standing body to tackle tax evasion and avoidance. Through all the various tax scandals of the last decade we have been highlighting the need for a permanent subcommittee to look at shine a light on dodgy tax practices.

"Tax evasion, avoidance and money laundering are a scourge on our society and only serve to foster inequality and social breakdown. The EU must lead the world in the fight against tax injustices."

PS: Invitation: Webinar with EU Commissioner Ferreira on Tue, 23.6. 19:00 "Regional Inequality - The Underestimated Risk for Europe". Niklas Nienaß and Sven Giegold discuss with the EU Commissioner, Prof. Bachtler (Uni Strathclyde) and yourself how the Europe that is being rebuilt after Corona can create more equality between the regions! Limited, places, register here.