Former Prime Minister Alfred Sant told the European Parliament that moves towards tax harmonisation undermines the competitiveness of the small peripheral economies of the European Union. Dr Sant said that the control of taxation policy is the only real tool left by which small EU member states can retain flexibility for competitive purposes. Dr Sant made an explanation of vote before voting against the Report ‘Rules against certain tax avoidance practices’.

“My vote against this report follows on similar votes on the same subject in past months. I fully understand the need to control the wide range of practices by which taxes are being evaded by individuals and companies, large and small, as revealed by Luxleaks and the Panama papers scandal.” remarked the Maltese MEP.

Dr Sant said he supports all measures meant to increase transparency in taxation affairs. But such measures should not end up infringing the existing right of EU member states to retain sovereignty over their tax systems.

“It seems to me that the proposals made in this report open the door fully to further follow-ups that can only lead to tax harmonisation within the EU. With this I cannot agree, for it would serve to increase the growing structural divergences between the central EU economy and the small peripheral economies of the Union. For these economies, taxation policy (which they still control) is the only real tool left by which to retain flexibility for competitive purposes. All others they have given up (customs protection, budgetary flexibility in public budgeting, the setting of VAT and excise, state aid policy, exchange rate). Moves towards harmonisation of income and profit taxes will only further undermine their competitiveness.” said Dr Sant.

The report was approved 486 voting in favour, 88 against and 103 abstentions.

Maltese Version – L-ARMONIZZAZZJONI TAT-TAXXI THEDDED IL-KOMPETITTIVITA` TAL-PAJJIŻI ŻGĦAR TAL-UE

L-armonizzazzjoni tat-tassazzjoni hija ta’ theddida għall-kompetittivita` tal-pajjiżi ż-żgħar tal-Unjoni Ewropea. Dan qalu Alfred Sant meta spjega għala kien se jivvota kontra rapport dwar prattiċi li tkun evitata l-ħlas tat-taxxa fil-Parlament Ewropew fi Strasburgu. Dr. Sant qal li l-kontroll tal-politika tat-tassazzjoni tal-istati membri hija l-unika għodda li fadlilhom il-pajjiżi fuq il-periferija tal-Ewropa biex jibqgħu flessibbli għal skopijiet kummerċjali.

“Il-vot tiegħi huwa kontra bħalma għamilt diġa` fuq voti simili fix-xhur li għaddew. Nifhem il-bżonn li jkunu kontrollati il-prattiċi ta’ evażjoni tat-taxxa minn individwi u kumpaniji, żgħar u kbar, kif żvelaw il-‘Luxleaks’ u l-‘Panama Papers’”.

Dr Sant qal li jappoġġja l-miżuri li jżidu t-trasparenza fit-tassazzjoni. Imma dawn il-miżuri m’għandhomx jispiċċaw biex ikissru s-sovranita` tal-istati membri tal-UE fuq is-sistemi tat-taxxi tagħhom.

“Fil-fehma tiegħi l-miżuri msemmija f’dan ir-rapport jiftħu l-bibien beraħ għal miżuri li jdaħħlu l-armonizzazzjoni tat-taxxi fl-Unjoni Ewropea. Ma nistax naqbel għax dan ikompli jkabbar id-diverġenzi li dejjem qed jikbru bejn l-ekonomiji tal-Ewropa ċentrali u l-ekonomiji tal-pajjiżi fuq il-periferija tal-Ewropa. Il-politika tat-tassazzjoni ta’ dawn il-pajjiżi ż-żgħar hija l-unika għodda li fadlilhom biex iżommu l-flessibilita` għal skopijiet kummerċjali. Dawn il-pajjiżi diġa` batew għax ċedew il-protezzjoni tad-dwana, il-flessibilita` tal-budget pubbliku, it-twaqqif tal-VAT u s-sisa, il-politika tal-għajnuna tal-istat, ir-rata tal-kambju. Miżuri lejn l-armonizzazzjoni tat-taxxi fuq dħul u profitti ikomplu jheddu il-kompetittivita` ta’ dawn il-pajjiżi.” stqarr Dr Sant.

Ir-rapport ġie approvat b’486 favur, 88 kontra u 103 astensjonijiet.

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