08 November 2016

Taxation: Council agrees criteria for the screening of third country jurisdictions

It adopted conclusions on:

• criteria for the screening of third country jurisdictions;
• guidelines on the process for selecting and screening jurisdictions.

Screening is due to be completed by September 2017, so that the Council can endorse the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions by the end of 2017. Screening is intended to be a continuous and regular process.

The Council's code of conduct group for business taxation will conduct and oversee the screening process, supported by the Council's secretariat. The Commission's services will assist the group in carrying out the necessary preparatory work for the screening process.

Work is also continuing on potential defensive measures at EU level, with a view to their endorsement by the Council by the end of next year. These could be considered for implementation in the tax as well as non-tax field. [...]

"This a first crucial step in the process that will take place throughout 2017", he added. "A dialogue will start with those countries that fail to comply with the criteria we have established, and only those jurisdictions refusing to cooperate and fulfil the criteria in due time will be placed on the so-called blacklist. Our primary goal is to incentivise, not to punish."[...]

November 2016 Council conclusions on the establishment of an EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions

© European Council