Digital products’ security : cyber resilience act

​On 1 december night, MEPs reached a deal with the Presidency of the Council on new cyber resilience rules to protect all digital products in the EU from cyber threats.​In a few words> More robust cybersecurity for all products with digital elements> Covers everyday products, such as connected doorbells, baby monitors and Wi-Fi routers> Security updates to be applied automatically when technically feasibleExplanations...

Significant fall in tax levels in OECD countries - he tax-to-GDP ratio in Belgium decreased by 0.1 percentage point from 42.5% in 2021 to 42.4% in 2022.

High energy prices triggered by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine prompted governments to reduce excise taxes during 2022, leading to lower tax levels in many countries, according to new OECD analysis. Revenue Statistics 2023 shows that the average tax-to-GDP ratio in the OECD fell by 0.15 percentage points (p.p.) in 2022, to 34.0%. This was only the third such decline since the Global Financial...

Strengthen EU competitiveness

Commission sets out key priorities in the European Semester for the year ahead to strengthen EU competitiveness Today, 21 november 2023, the Commission has launched the 2024 European Semester cycle of economic policy coordination. The Autumn package draws on the Autumn 2023 Economic Forecast which showed that the EU economy continues to be resilient in the face of the multiple shocks endured in recent...

Environmental crimes: deal on new offences and reinforced sanctions

On 17 November 2023 Parliament and Council negotiators reached a provisional agreement on an update of EU environmental crimes and sanctions rules to strengthen ecosystem protection.Background Environmental crime is the fourth largest criminal activity in the world and is considered one of the main sources of income for organised crime alongside drugs, weapons and human trafficking. With the aim of tackling the rising...

Small Businesses sustainability testing

IFAC and CA ANZ quality toolkit for SMPs

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) released on 6 november 2023 a quality management toolkit today to help small- and medium-sized practices (SMPs) implement the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board’s (IAASB) suite of quality management standards. ​DOWNLOAD (755.83 KB) DOWNLOAD (435.76 KB) The Quality Management Toolkit for Small- and Medium-Sized Firms and its companion Illustrative...

OECD Tax Certainty Day : 14 november 2023 - Zoom

This event will provide an opportunity for tax policymakers, tax administrations, business representatives and other stakeholders to take stock of the tax certainty agenda and move towards further improvements in dispute prevention and dispute resolution. The latest MAP Statistics and MAP Awards will also be presented during the event.ABOUT As recognised by G20 Ministers, maintaining and enhancing tax certainty benefits taxpayers and tax administrations alike...

Parliament backs plans for better access to, and use of, data

​The "Data Act", already agreed between MEPs and member states, aims to stimulate innovation by eliminating barriers to data access. Lead MEP Pilar del Castillo Vera (EPP, ES) said: "The Data Act is a game-changer. Having data on the functioning of industrial equipment will allow factories, farms and construction companies to optimise operational cycles, production lines and supply chain management. The Data Act will create...

OECD/G20 Tax challenges of globalisation and digitalisation

The OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (Inclusive Framework) has released the text of a new multilateral convention that updates the international tax framework to co-ordinate a reallocation of taxing rights to market jurisdictions, improve tax certainty, and remove digital service taxes. The publication of the convention moves the international community a step closer towards finalisation of the Two-Pillar Solution to address...

EU on track to exceed 2030 climate targets

The Commission welcomes on 9 october 2023 adoption of two final pillars of its ‘Fit for 55' legislative package for delivering the EU's 2030 climate targets. Ahead of the crucial COP28 UN Climate Conference, and next year's European elections, this complete package of legislation shows that Europe is delivering on its promises made to citizens and international partners to lead the way on climate...

Publication of the new consolidated text of the IFRS-EU standards

Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1803 of 13 August 2023 adopting certain international accounting standards in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council ​ Commission Regulation (EC) No 1126/2008 (*) has adopted international accounting standards and related interpretations issued or adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) until 15 October 2008. ​On 18 May 2017, the IASB published...

​The global economy proved more resilient than expected in the first half of 2023, but the growth outlook remains weak

With monetary policy becoming increasingly visible and a weaker-than-expected recovery in China, global growth in 2024 is projected to be lower than in 2023. While headline inflation has been declining, core inflation remains persistent, driven by the services sector and still relatively tight labour markets. Risks continue to be tilted to the downside. Inflation could continue to prove more persistent than anticipated, with further disruptions...

Simplifying EU rules for citizens and business: findings from the 2022 Annual Burden Survey

Today, the 12 september, the European Commission has published the 2022 Annual Burden Survey, which presents the Commission's action to simplify and modernise EU rules. > ​The European Union’s action to simplify legislation – 2022 Annual Burden survey > Findings from the 2022 Annual Burden Survey - factsheet​ It lays out the progress and concrete examples of what the Commission has achieved in the first...

Commission provides new relief to boost the competitiveness and resilience of SMEs

Today, on 12 september, the Commission is presenting a series of initiatives to address the needs of Europe's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the current economic environment. Representing 99% of Europe's businesses, SMEs are essential drivers of Europe's green and digital transitions, but continue to face unpredictability and volatility as a result of a number of crises in recent years. The SME...

Communication on SMEs relief

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are central to Europe's economic and social fabric. The EU's long-term prosperity depends on them. The 24 million European SMEs represent 99% of all businesses in the EU and provide two thirds of private sector jobs in the EU; they are also deeply embedded in local communities, particularly in rural...

Questions and Answers on establishing a Head Office Tax System for SMEs (HOT)

If micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) wish to operate cross-border, they become taxable in more than one Member State as soon as their activity abroad creates a permanent establishment. The current systems of business taxation in the EU can be complex, which means that cross-border businesses can face high tax compliance costs, as well as risks of double or over-taxation and time-consuming legal disputes....