Public hearing in the framework of own-initiative opinion ECO/641 - Taxation Framework for Social Economy Entities
Public hearing
Online event
Brussels
Belgium
The social economy is a vital part of the European social and economic system. It generates and maintains high-quality jobs, fosters the inclusion of marginalised groups into the labour market, promotes sustainable business practices, and provides employment for millions of people. In this way, it makes the single market more inclusive, our societies more cohesive and fosters employment models that are tailored to local and communal needs.
The Commission's proposal Business in Europe: Framework for Income Taxation (BEFIT) deals with a new single set of rules to determine the tax base of groups of companies, and is aimed at reducing tax compliance costs for large businesses operating across borders and making it easier for national authorities to determine which taxes are due. Directly linked to BEFIT is the proposal on transfer pricing, with the purpose to harmonise transfer pricing rules of Member States and to ensure a common application of the arm's-length principle within the EU. The new framework builds on the previous experiences from the common consolidated corporate tax base CCCTB, the OECD/G20 international tax agreement concerning the global minimum level of taxation, and on the Pillar Two Directive adopted at the end of 2022.
The rise of cross-border teleworking poses challenges to the taxation systems around the world. The increased ability for an employee to telework from another country raises tax issues that affect both employees and employers.
The market of crypto assets continues to grow, bringing with it both opportunities and challenges. Whilst it is important to harvest the potential the technological innovations offer, the associated risks have to be closely monitored. The hearing will take stock of new developments in the crypto sector, raise awareness, and come up with policy proposals to tackle emerging risks, in order to protect consumers and preserve financial stability.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the lives of workers and businesses in unprecedented ways. A key change during the COVID-19 pandemic, with travel restrictions in place and governmental limitations on the number of employees present in offices in order to reduce transmission of the COVID-19 virus, has been the rise of cross-border teleworking.
The EESC will organise a hearing with the title: ''New own resources package: The three engines for financing growth and recovery of the European economy'' in order to present the views of all relevant stakeholders and civil society for this initiative to support the funds for NextGenerationEU.
In order to reshape the European economy and in line with the objectives stated by the European Commission for a more sustainable, greener and digitalised economy, investments must support environmental goals and remove obstacles to corporate dividend policymaking and payments. Among many other factors, the debt-equity bias in the corporate tax systems affects both the leverage of firms and corporate governance. The EESC welcomes the recent public consultation on a new initiative to mitigate the debt-equity bias in corporate taxation launched by the European Commission and shares the Commission's view that companies should contribute to the achievement of a greener, sustainable and digitalised economy.
The EESC aspires to contribute to the ongoing public debate andwill hold an online public hearing ‘’The role of corporate taxes in corporate governance - addressing the debt-equity bias" on 8 October 2021. The event is accessible via webstream. No registration is needed and participation is free of charge.
Activities of organised crime organisations like money laundering and the tapping of public funds have consequences for the economy, business and society. A crisis like the Covid-19 pandemic may be an opportunity for organised crime to spread their activity, gain power and even innovate to find new ways to pursue their objectives.
