EU: European Commission releases 2026 work programme
The 2026 Work Programme contains detailed plans to boost the EU’s competitiveness, security, and resilience under its 2024–2029 strategic agenda. The European Commission announced its 2026 Commission Work Programme on 21 October 2025, in
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EU: Trade Commissioner releases 2025 annual report on policy simplification, implementation, enforcement progress
The report covers progress on simplification, implementation, and enforcement made in the field of trade, customs, and economic security, as well as in the remit of the Publications Office of the European Union during the period 1 January – 31
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EU officially issues regulation to streamline, enhance the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM)
The amended Regulation is the final step in the formal adoption process, signed by the European Parliament and the Council and a key step towards fostering a more competitive and sustainable business environment while effectively addressing climate
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EU releases report on member states’ departures from standard VAT rates
The report mentions that three countries—Luxembourg, Ireland, and Italy—account for 75% of the 64 identified VAT rate deviations, while the remaining 25% are spread across seven other EU nations. The European Commission (EC) has published a
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European Commission enhances tax collaboration with Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino
The updates enhance the existing 2015 and 2016 agreements by aligning with recent EU and international standards and expand the scope of reporting to include specific electronic money products and central bank digital currencies. The European
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European Commission to negotiate with Norway on administrative cooperation in direct tax
This proposed agreement aims to align Norway with certain aspects of the EU Directive on Administrative Cooperation (DAC), enabling the automatic exchange of tax-related information. The European Commission announced its decision to move
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EU: European Economic, Financial Affairs Council endorse tax measures to boost clean tech and industry
The clean industrial deal is a flagship initiative of the Competitiveness Compass – the EU’s roadmap to make business easier and faster and ensure Europe’s prosperity. The European Economic and Financial Affairs Council adopted conclusions
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EU maintains current list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions
ECOFIN confirmed the EU’s list of 11 non-cooperative tax jurisdictions, leaving it unchanged. The European Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) reconfirmed the EU list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions on 10 October 2025,
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EU launches infringement procedures against Belgium, France, Malta over small business VAT scheme
The European Commission has opened infringement procedures against Belgium, France, and Malta for failing to implement the IT systems required for the EU small business VAT scheme. The European Commission has urged Belgium, France, and Malta to
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EU Commission moves to raise tariffs to shield steel sector
The European Commission proposed halving tariff-free steel import quotas and imposing a 50% duty on excess imports to support the EU steel industry. The European Commission has proposed measures on 7 October 2025 to safeguard the EU steel sector,
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EU Commission recommends expanding access to tax-favoured savings and investment accounts (SIAs)
The EU recommended measures are aimed at increasing access to simplified, tax-advantaged savings and investment accounts. The European Commission (EC) issued a recommendation aimed at expanding access to savings and investment accounts (SIAs)
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European Commission releases reports on member states’ VAT rate exemptions
This report reviews how Member States apply VAT rate derogations, revealing an uneven distribution. The European Commission has released a report examining the VAT rate exemptions utilised by EU Member States, accompanied by annexes detailing
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EU: Commissioner Hoekstra addresses current state of Pillar 1, 2
The European Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra responded that the European Commission notes Canada’s decision to suspend its digital services tax but considers it a sovereign matter and will not comment further. The European Parliament released a
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EU Council streamlines carbon border adjustment mechanism, exempts small importers
The regulation aims to simplify the CBAM and lower compliance costs, particularly easing the regulatory burden for EU companies and SMEs. The Council of the European Union, in an announcement on 29 September 2025, stated that it has formally
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EU urges 11 states to finalise 6th anti-money laundering directive transposition
The European Commission is taking action against several EU Member States that have failed to notify the Commission of measures they have adopted to transpose EU Directives into their national laws. The European Commission announced new measures
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EU Parliament backs major tobacco tax reform to advance public health
The Briefing concludes that the reform aims to reduce tobacco use, curb cross-border distortions, and combat illicit trade through updated rates, harmonised rules for new nicotine products, and an automatic adjustment mechanism. The European
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EU: Tax Working Party to review tobacco tax directive reforms
The indirect taxation subgroup addresses taxation issues, including VAT, excise duties, energy taxation, financial transaction tax, and administrative cooperation. The Working Party on Tax Questions (Indirect Taxation), a preparatory body of the
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EU: Commission consults CBAM methodology, certificate adjustments, third-country carbon price deductions
Stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback on this initiative until 25 September 2025. The European Commission initiated a consultation on 28 August 2025 to gather the opinions of all stakeholders on the rules on the methodology for
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