EU companies favour tax harmony

European companies believe that tax harmonisation across the European Union will benefit them more than any other measure imposed on the single market.

Written by Larry Schlesinger

Accountancy Age, 24 Jan 2003

Link: EU needs greater tax harmonisation

Currently VAT regimes and other tax rates vary from 15% to 25% across the various member states, despite efforts made by the European Commission dating back more than 30 years.

But a third of company executives polled by US delivery company UPS said tax harmonistion would be the most significant improvement to be made across the region.

Setting a uniform tax rate would allow companies to charge the same price for their goods across the region, executives claimed.

However, the Confederation of British Industy continued its opposition to harmonisation, saying the UK had the lowest tax rate in the EU, and changes to this would erode its competitive position.

The UK government is also opposed to EU tax harmonisation.