14 March 2016
A Jersey representative is attending a European Parliamentary hearing in Brussels today in response to an invitation by the Parliament’s Taxe 2 Special Committee, which was set up to examine tax rulings, aggressive tax planning and information exchange in EU Member States and third countries.
The Chief Minister’s Adviser on International Affairs, Colin Powell, will make a statement on Jersey’s response to current international tax initiatives and its good neighbour policy vis-à-vis the EU. The Committee is expected to ask questions about recent developments, both at EU and OECD levels, in relation to tax avoidance, exchange of information and base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS).
A representative from Guernsey’s government will also be attending. The Chief Ministers of both islands have previously met the Chair of the Taxe 1 Committee and say they value the engagement with Committee members.
Senator Ian Gorst said “It is important for us to comply with all relevant international standards and to pursue a good neighbour policy in our relationship with the EU. Commissioner Moscovici has described Jersey and Guernsey as important partners of the EU through our continued active engagement in international initiatives for fighting tax evasion, fraud and abusive tax avoidance.
“We hope the Commissioner’s assessment of the Channel Islands as cooperative jurisdictions is shared by members of the Taxe 2 Committee. We believe this exchange of views between Mr Powell, his Guernsey counterpart and the Committee will contribute to the growing understanding in the EU of our good governance standards in tax matters.”
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