Chartered Accountants Ireland says that the debate on the Irish Corporation Tax regime goes right to the heart of the European project.
Interview with Liam Lynch, CCAB-I Tax Committee Chairman
Ronan O'Brien discusses the Institute's new Position Paper, "Europe and Corporation Tax - Setting the Record Straight" and CCCTB with Liam Lynch.
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Chartered Accountants Ireland believes that Ireland competes fairly with other European Member States on tax matters. Speaking at the publication of the Institute’s position paper Europe and Corporation Tax – Setting the Record Straight, Chartered Accountants Ireland Director of Taxation Brian Keegan said:
“Many of the attacks on the Irish Corporation Tax system are ill-informed and unfair. Indeed, some of the countries most upset at the Irish system collect a lower proportion of Corporation Tax than we do. By every objective measure, including how we exchange tax information with other countries, Ireland’s Corporation Tax system is in line with international best practice. Our Corporation Tax system is better fit for purpose in a 21st century economy than the systems of our most strident critics”.
The position paper also illustrates why a low headline tax rate does not necessarily mean that low amounts of tax are paid. “Competition is a core value of the European Union with its single market. Competition includes tax competition. If any one country is being denied its right to compete fairly, that constitutes a challenge to the Single Market. We need however to go further – we need to work with our European neighbours to satisfy them that competition is fair and appropriate.”
Accordingly Chartered Accountants Ireland is suggesting that the EU’s Code of Conduct Group on business taxation be asked to examine any harmful tax practices that still exist in Member States. The Code of Conduct Group was formed in the late 90’s to deal with concerns about tax competition which could be harmful to a single market. “This EU mechanism has worked in the past to deal with tax concerns very similar to those prevailing today. We think now is the time to ask it to work again. Bilateral arguments between Member States about fairness are getting us nowhere.”
Chartered Accountants Ireland also examines the potential of the Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB) proposals, due for publication later this week, as a solution to the debate on European Tax Policy. “We have followed the discussions concerning the CCCTB, and believe it will not work. Its main flaw is that it cannot cope with situations where companies operate both inside and outside of Europe”.
Chartered Accountants Ireland feels that the CCCTB proposals may serve as an unwelcome distraction from the real issue, which is maintaining proper tax competition within the European Union.
The full position paper is available here.
ENDS
Ref: Rónán O’Brien, Communications Director, Chartered Accountants Ireland – 087 230 4070.