Author: Europe News Desk

Brussels, April 2025 — The European Union has taken a decisive step toward redefining corporate taxation in the digital era with the approval of the DAC9 Directive, a policy cornerstone for enforcing the global minimum corporate tax rate. With this move, the EU formalizes its alignment with the G20 and OECD’s Pillar 2 agreement — a landmark commitment to curb base erosion, profit shifting, and regulatory arbitrage among multinational corporations. Why This Directive Matters Now The adoption of DAC9 isn’t just bureaucratic housekeeping. It signals Europe’s readiness to implement a new global norm: a 15% effective minimum tax rate on…

When former U.S. President Donald Trump reimposed sweeping tariffs on Chinese goods in early April — including a crippling 145% levy — global trade didn’t just shift; it scrambled. One of the most immediate and unanticipated aftershocks? A rising tide of low-cost Chinese goods poised to flood European and British markets, exploiting a long-criticized import tax loophole. At the heart of this storm lies a quiet but powerful tax relic: the “de minimis” rule, which exempts imports valued under £135 (about $178) in the UK from duties and VAT collection at the border. Initially designed for ease of processing low-value…

In a pivotal meeting on Friday, Austrian Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer expressed his concern about the negative effects of US trade policies on European economies. He emphasized the urgent need for deepening economic cooperation with rapidly growing economies like India, particularly in light of the ongoing global trade tensions fueled by the US’s reciprocal tariffs. The remarks came during a high-level dialogue between Marterbauer, Austrian State Secretary Barbara Eibinger-Miedl, and India’s visiting Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Vienna. US Trade Policies: A Drag on European Economies Marterbauer highlighted that the customs and trade policies of the United States are having…

In a significant shift in the taxation of special constructions, the Romanian government has introduced Government Emergency Ordinance (GEO) no. 21/2025. Published in the Official Gazette no. 300 on April 4, 2025, this new regulation replaces the flat 1% annual tax on constructions established under GEO 156/2024 with a more nuanced and targeted tax structure. Here are the key takeaways for businesses and property owners operating within Romania: Key Changes to the Special Construction Tax Regime Under the newly adopted tax rules, the government has introduced two differentiated tax rates based on the nature of the construction. These rates are…

Tesla, one of the world’s leading electric vehicle manufacturers, has long been a subject of interest for its tax strategies, particularly in Europe. The company’s operations in the Netherlands and Germany have raised significant concerns about tax avoidance, opaque corporate structures, and profit-shifting tactics. Tesla Motors Netherlands (TMN), the company’s largest Dutch entity, has emerged as the focal point for these issues, with experts questioning how much tax Tesla is paying in relation to its vast revenues in the region. This article delves into the mechanics of Tesla’s tax strategies and the challenges they present to European tax authorities. Tesla’s…

U.K. Proposes Streaming Tax: Global Giants Warn of Consequences for British Drama A proposal from the United Kingdom’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee has sparked strong reactions across the global streaming landscape. In a move aimed at bolstering local drama production, the parliamentary committee is recommending a 5 percent levy on subscriber revenues generated by foreign streamers operating in the country — including Netflix, Amazon, Apple TV+, and Disney+. The goal? To fund a new Cultural Fund that would support the creation of distinctly British content. But for the streamers in question, the response has been swift — and fierce.…

Key Takeaways: Introduction of the Transaction Matrix The German Ministry of Finance introduced the Transaction Matrix on April 2, 2025, in a detailed information sheet. This follows changes to Germany’s transfer pricing documentation rules under the Bureaucracy Reduction Act IV, effective from January 1, 2025. The Transaction Matrix is now a mandatory element of TP documentation. This requirement applies to open years under audit, and taxpayers must submit it upon receiving a formal tax audit order, even if the audit pertains to periods before 2025. The Transaction Matrix must be submitted automatically within 30 days, without a separate request from…

Russia’s Federal Tax Service introduces an online resource to assist cryptocurrency miners with tax calculations based on exchange rates, aiming to streamline compliance. A New Era of Crypto Taxation in Russia In a significant move for the cryptocurrency mining sector, Russia’s Federal Tax Service (FTS) has launched a new online tool designed to help crypto miners calculate their taxes. The tool, which leverages cryptocurrency exchange data, enables miners to determine their income and taxes based on exchange rates. This comes after Russia’s decision to legalise crypto mining, which has brought a clearer regulatory framework but also necessitated better compliance systems…

While many British expats feel increasingly unwelcome in Spain due to new tax policies, one region—Basque Country—continues to offer generous tax incentives, including up to a 50% tax break for highly skilled foreign workers. Key Highlights – What You Need to Know Spain’s planned 100% tax on properties bought by foreign nationals outside the EU has created a challenging landscape for British expats. However, the Basque Country is bucking the trend with a unique and attractive tax scheme designed to draw highly skilled professionals. With tax breaks up to 50% on earnings and additional deductions, this region is offering significant…

OSLO – Norway is set to implement new Digital Platform Information Reporting Rules (DPI) effective January 1, 2026. These regulations, aligned with OECD Model Rules and the EU’s DAC7 directive, will require platform operators to collect and report detailed data on sellers, including tax IDs, earnings, and transaction details. Failure to comply could lead to penalties, affecting both resident and non-resident platforms facilitating services such as rentals, goods sales, personal services, and transportation. Why Now? Norway’s move to align with international standards on digital platform reporting comes amid a global shift towards tighter tax compliance for cross-border digital services. The…