Macron’s proposals on internet giants not in Malta’s interests

The French President’s proposals on internet giants operating in Europe are not in Malta’s interests. His proposals will lead to a harmonised tax system across Europe, Maltese MEP and former Prime Minister Alfred Sant told FRANCE 24 when asked by journalist Catherine Nicholson whether Macron’s ideas can cause problems to the small EU countries where ‘undertaxed digital companies’ are based.
“I disagree with Mr Macron’s solutions – including the common tax proposal – because this is just a foot in the door to create tax harmonisation in Europe. This reduces the flexibility of the smaller and peripheral EU countries in attracting inbound investments.” emphasised the Maltese MEP.
The French Government wants Internet giants operating in Europe to pay tax where value is created – a turnover tax.
The Maltese MEP said there should be transparency on tax collection right across the board.
“It should be done first on a national basis and eventually on a European basis. There are tools that already exist on a national level to move forward. Each national state can publish the names of all the companies and their contribution by way of tax. Through an internal audit trade on VAT one can see the turnover of different companies. The value added to the economy is traceable on the basis of profits.”
Dr Sant said that even the US has a leeway for tax competition and no state is obliged to follow rules that other states have to follow.
MEP Alain Lamassoure (EPP) and MEP Marju Lauristin (S&D) also took part in the discussion.

You may view Dr Sant’s intervention on this link:

Maltese Version – IL-PROPOSTI TA’ MACRON GĦALL-ĠGANTI TAL-INTERNET MHUX FL-INTERESS TA’ MALTA

Il-proposti tal-President Franċiż għall-ġganti tal-internet li għandhom suq Ewropew se jwasslu għall-armonizzazzjoni tat-taxxa fl-Ewropa. Dan qalu Alfred Sant lil France 24 wara li l-ġurnalista Catherine Nicholson staqsietu dwar l-ideat ta’ Macron u l-problemi li jistgħu jikkawżaw jekk jiġu implimentati, speċjalment lill-pajjiżi żgħar tal-UE fejn huma bbażati ‘kumpaniji diġitali li huma ntaxxati ftit’. Il-President Franċiż irid li l-kumpaniji diġitali Amerikani kbar b’suq Ewropew iħallsu t-taxxa fuq it-turnover.
“Ma naqbilx mas-soluzzjonijiet ta’ Emmanuel Macron – inkluż proposta dwar taxxa konsolidata komuni – għax dan l-argument huwa feles biex tidħol l-armonizzazzjoni tat-taxxa fl-Ewropa. Dan inaqqas il-flessibilita` tal-istati membri ż-żgħar u periferali tal-UE bħal Malta li jipprovaw jattiraw investiment lejhom.” enfasizza Dr Sant.
Dr Sant qal li jaqbel li jkun hemm trasparenza fuq il-ġbir tat-taxxa fl-UE imma ma jaqbilx mal-ideat ta’ Macron:
Dr Sant offra soluzzjoni oħra għal qasam tat-tassazzjoni:
“L-ewwel l-affarijiet għandhom isiru fuq bażi nazzjonali u mbagħad isiru fuq bażi Ewropea. Diġa` hemm għodda fuq livelli nazzjonali biex nimxu ’l quddiem. Kull stat membru jista’ jippubblika l-ismijiet tal-kumpaniji u l-kontribuzzjoni tagħhom fil-qasam tat-taxxa. Permezz ta’ awditjar intern fuq il-kummerċ tal-VAT wieħed jista’ jara t-turnover ta’ kumpaniji differenti. Il-valur miżjud għall-ekonomija huwa traċċabbli fuq il-bażi ta’ profitti.”
Dr Sant qal li anki l-Istati Uniti għandhom liberta` fil-kompetizzjoni tat-taxxa u l-ebda stat ma hu obbligat li jsegwi r-regoli li l-istati l-oħra jsegwu.
Fil-programm ħadu sehem ukoll l-Ewroparlamentari Alain Lamassoure (EPP) u Marju Lauristin (S&D).

TISTA’ SSEGWI L-INTERVENT TA’ DR SANT FUQ DIN IL-LINK