Sittings · Compare
What changed
DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION
– having regard to Article 115 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C90341/2023),
– having regard to Rulesthe 82budgetary ofassessment itsby Rulesthe ofCommittee Procedure,on Budgets,
– having regard to the letter from the Committee on Budgets,
– having regard to the reasoned opinions submitted, within the framework of Protocol No 2 on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, by the Swedish Parliament, the Maltese Parliament, and the Irish Houses of the Oireachtas, asserting that the draft legislative act does not comply with the principle of subsidiarity,
– having regard to the report ofRules the84 Committeeand on58 Economicof andits MonetaryRules Affairsof (A90000/2023),Procedure,
having regard to the report of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (A10-0000/2025)
1. Approves the Commission proposal as amended;
Proposal for a directive
Recital 2
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(2) The existence of 27 different corporate income tax systems in the Union gives rise to complexity in tax compliance and leads to unfair competition for businesses. That has become more evident as globalisation and digitalisation of the economy have significantly altered the perception of land borders and business models. As governments have tried to adapt to that new reality, a fragmented response among Member States has led to further distortions in the internal market. The various legal frameworks inevitably lead to different tax administration practices across the Member States as well. This often entails long procedures characterised by unpredictability and inconsistency along with high compliance costs.
(2) The existence of 27 different corporate income tax systems in the Union gives rise to complexity in tax compliance and leads to unfair competition for businesses, and can lead to cross-border aggressive tax planning as well as double taxation and double non-taxation. That has become more evident as globalisation and digitalisation of the economy have significantly altered the perception of land borders and business models. As governments have tried to adapt to that new reality, a fragmented response among Member States has led to further distortions in the internal market. The various legal frameworks inevitably lead to different tax administration practices across the Member States as well. This often entails long procedures characterised by unpredictability and inconsistency along with high compliance costs, which can impact cross-border investments. That complexity can hinder businesses’ expansion in the internal market, with a negative impact on innovation, competitiveness and jobs. Companies need a workable single tax framework in order to be able to develop their commercial activity across the internal market.
Or. en
Amendment 2
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(3) Albeit different in their design, the fundamental features of corporate income tax systems are similar as they lay down rules aiming towards the same objective, i.e., to arrive at a taxable base for businesses. In this vein, it would be important for businesses which operate on the internal market that Member States introduce a common legal framework to harmonise the fundamental features of corporate income tax systems with a view to simplifying tax rules and ensuring a fair competition.
(3) Albeit different in their design, the fundamental features of corporate income tax systems are similar as they lay down rules aiming towards the same objective, i.e., to arrive at a taxable base for businesses. In this vein, to support the proper functioning of the internal market, the corporate tax environment in the Union should be shaped according to the principle that companies pay their fair share of tax in the jurisdictions where their profits are generated. Therefore, it would be important for businesses which operate on the internal market that Member States introduce a common legal framework to harmonise the fundamental features of corporate income tax systems with a view to simplifying tax rules, fighting against tax avoidance, reducing administrative burden and ensuring a fair competition. Provisions regarding the corporate income tax rate should, however, remain at the discretion of Member States within the framework of Council Directive (EU) 2022/2523 on ensuring a global minimum level of taxation for multinational enterprise groups and large-scale domestic groups in the Union.
Or. en
Amendment 3
Proposal for a directive
Recital 5
(5) The environment for doing business in the internal market should be made more attractive with the aim to stimulate growth and investment in the Union. For this purpose, the enactment of a common framework of corporate tax rules should be prioritised, in order to make it easier for businesses to comply with such rules when they operate across borders and also to encourage those who wish to further expand abroad to do so. A single set of corporate tax rules for international activity is expected to result in enhanced tax certainty and less tax disputes, as it would tackle distortions and decrease the number of cases of double and over-taxation. Furthermore, as tax revenue sustainability is key to Member States’ budgets, including to invest in infrastructure, research and development and to deliver public services, it would be critical to ensure for the future that the allocation of revenues is performed in accordance with a tool based on solid parameters that cannot be abused.
(5) The environment for doing business in the internal market should be made more attractive with the aim to stimulate growth and investment in the Union. For this purpose, the enactment of a common framework of corporate tax rules should be prioritised, in order to make it easier for businesses to comply with such rules when they operate across borders and also to encourage those who wish to further expand abroad to do so. A single set of corporate tax rules for international activity is expected to result in enhanced tax certainty and less tax disputes, as it would tackle distortions and decrease the number of cases of double and over-taxation. Harmonisation of rules also implies less opportunities to abuse some specific national tax provisions in a pan-European context. With an allocation of the taxable base, which is based on tangible factors suchFurthermore, as labour, assets and sales, the common framework of corporate tax rules will mitigate tax avoidance and aggressiverevenue taxsustainability planning.is Duekey to the critical importance of sustainable tax revenue for Member States'States’ budgets, including investment in the digital, green and socialto transitions,invest in infrastructure, research and development and for the provision ofgreen publicand services,social especiallytransitions forand theto mostdeliver vulnerablepublic households,services, it is essential to ensure that the harmonisation ofdesign profit determination rules in the Union that will not lead to lower effective tax ratesresult andin lower revenues for Member States. In addition, it would be critical to ensure for the future that the allocation of revenues is performed in accordance with a tool based on solid parameters that cannot be abused.
Or. en
Amendment 24
Proposal for a directive
(6) It is indeed critical to create a system that achieves a degree of uniformity across the Union, at least amongst the taxpayers that it is chiefly addressed to. Accordingly, and considering the efforts that both tax administrations and businesses have made in order to implement the framework of a global minimum level of taxation, it would be important to capitalise on this achievement and design rules that remain as close as possible to the OECD/G20 Model Rules and Directive (EU) 2022/2523. On this basis, the common framework of rules should be mandatory for groups with a taxable presence in the Union provided that they have annual combined revenues of more than EUR 750 000 000 based on their consolidated financial statements. In this way, the scope would thus be targeted at businesses that are most likely to have cross-border activities and, thereby, can benefit from the simplification which a common legal framework would offer. The threshold would also provide alignment with Directive (EU) 2022/2523 for a consistent approach in the Union.
(6) CreatingIt is indeed critical to create a system that attainsachieves a degree of uniformity across the Union, at least amongst the taxpayers that it is chiefly addressed to, is of crucial importance.to. Accordingly, and considering the efforts that both tax administrations and businesses have made in order to implement the framework of a global minimum level of taxation, it would be important to capitalise on this achievement and design rules that remain as close as possible to the OECD/G20 Model Rules and Directive (EU) 2022/2523. On this basis, the common framework of rules should be mandatory for groups with a taxable presence in the Union provided that they have annual combined revenues of more than EUR 750 000 000 or more based on their consolidated financial statements. Once the transition period lapses, such threshold should be set at EUR 40 000 000 or more, in line with the definition of large groups within the meaning of Directive 2013/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council1a. In this way, the scope would thus be targeted at businesses that are most likely to have cross-border activities and, thereby, can benefit from the simplification which a common legal framework would offer. The threshold would also provide alignment with Directive (EU) 2022/2523 for a consistent approach in the Union. An enlargement of the scope of this Directive should be assessed a few years after the BEFIT framework has entered into force.
_______________
1a Directive 2013/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on the annual financial statements, consolidated financial statements and related reports of certain types of undertakings, amending Directive 2006/43/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Council Directives 78/660/EEC and 83/349/EEC (OJ L 182 29.6.2013, p. 19).
Or. en
Amendment 35
Proposal for a directive
(7) Although the threshold would be determined on the basis of the combined revenues of the group on a global basis, the remit of the provisions should be limited to members of the group operating on the internal market as Union law only applies within the Union and does not bind non-Member States. Only the Union sub-set of such a group should therefore be captured. This would include companies which are resident for tax purposes in a Member State and their permanent establishments operating in a Member State as well as the permanent establishments in the Union of third country companies of the same group. Considering that the concept of a permanent establishment is dealt with within bilateral tax treaties and national law and although the definition features some common principles, there is still a degree of divergence worldwide. Consequently, it would be a pragmatic approach to rely on the existing double taxation treaties and national rules of the Member States, rather than attempt full harmonisation through secondary Union law.
(7) Although the threshold would be determined on the basis of the combined revenues of the group on a global basis, the remit of the provisions should be limited to members of the group operating on the internal market as Union law only applies within the Union and does not bind non-Member States. Only the Union sub-set of such a group should therefore be captured. This would include companies which are resident for tax purposes in a Member State and their permanent establishmentsestablishments, including any significant economic presence, operating in a Member State as well as the permanent establishments in the Union of third country companies of the same group. Considering that the concept of a permanent establishment is dealt with within bilateral tax treaties and national law and although the definition features some common principles, there is still a degree of divergence worldwide.
Or. en
Amendment 46
Proposal for a directive
Recital 107 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(10a) A fair taxation of passive income such as interest is required. It is therefore appropriate to lay down an interest limitation rule applicable to BEFIT group members in such a way as to reduce the debt-equity bias that can occur via an over-reliance to intra-group debt financing and to reduce the scope for base erosion and profit shifting through excessive interest payments.
(7a) The Union should lead international discussions on making international corporate taxation fit for the future including by promoting a form of harmonisation of rules and an allocation of the taxable base for large multinationals.
Or. en
Amendment 57
Proposal for a directive
Recital 108 ba (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(10b) To guarantee a minimal level of taxation of royalties, a royalties limitation rule for BEFIT group members should be introduced in accordance with the Subject to Tax Rule1a as proposed by the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework in Pillar II.
(8a) This Directive should lay down rules extending the concept of a permanent establishment so as to include a significant economic presence through which a business is wholly or partly carried on. The underlying objective is to improve the resilience of the internal market as a whole in order to address the challenges of taxation of the digital economy. The increased importance of services, accelerated by the digitalisation of the economy, has led to recent proposals, as embedded in the OECD/G20 Pillar One proposal, to define significant economic presence as a taxable nexus based on a purely quantitative threshold of sales in any given country in order to capture all sectors and ensure simplicity. That objective cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States acting individually because digital businesses are able to operate cross-border without having any physical presence in a jurisdiction and rules are therefore needed to ensure that digital businesses pay taxes in the jurisdictions where they make profits, whether by providing services or selling products ( ‘sales’).
Or. en
Amendment 8
Proposal for a directive
Recital 8 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(8b) In order to provide for a robust definition of a taxable nexus of a business in a Member State, whether or not the business is digital, it is necessary that such a definition is based on the revenues from any sales, including from the supplied digital services. The definition included in this Directive is identical to the definition agreed upon in the framework of the OECD/G20 Pillar One proposal, in order to ensure coherence between this Directive and that international framework. The Union should lead by example in the international tax reform discourse, in order to provide certainty to taxpayers.
Or. en
Amendment 9
Proposal for a directive
Recital 9
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(9) The objective of simplifying the current rules underscores the envisaged initiative. Therefore, the rules on the computation of the tax base should be built by applying a limited series of tax adjustments to the financial statements of each group member. These limited adjustments would represent common adjustments that are necessary to convert the financial accounting statements into a tax base. Considering the need for alignment with Directive (EU) 2022/2523, the adjustments should resonate with that framework, which should also facilitate implementation for Member States and businesses that would already be familiar with the general principles.
(9) The objective of simplifying the current rules underscores the envisaged initiative, improving the efficiency and competitiveness of the internal market. Therefore, the rules on the computation of the tax base should be built by applying a limited series of tax adjustments to the financial statements of each group member. These limited adjustments would represent common adjustments that are necessary to convert the financial accounting statements into a tax base. Considering the need for alignment with Directive (EU) 2022/2523, the adjustments should resonate with that framework, which should also facilitate implementation for Member States and businesses that would already be familiar with the general principles. In that framework, the payment of top-up tax due in accordance with Directive (EU) 2022/2523 or in application of a qualified domestic top-up tax as referred to in that Directive, or any other alternative minimum taxes recognised in an international forum such as the OECD or the United Nations, should be taken into consideration.
Or. en
Amendment 10
Proposal for a directive
Recital 10 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(10a) In order to achieve the objective of a simplified tax framework and in order for this Directive to adequately complement Directive (EU) 20XX/XX1a on laying down rules on a debt-equity bias reduction allowance and on limiting the deductibility of interest for corporate income tax purposes, the rules laid down in this Directive on the deductibility of interest should align with the ones provided for in Directive (EU) 20XX/XX, where applicable.
_______________
1a OECD (2023). Tax Challenges Arising from the Digitalisation of the Economy – Subject to Tax Rule (Pillar Two): Inclusive Framework on BEPS, OECD/G20 Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Project, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/9afd6856-en.
1a OJ L , , p. .
Or. en
Amendment 611
Proposal for a directive
Recital 1011 ca (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(10c) A fairer taxation of passive income also requires robust Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) rules for BEFIT group members in order to make them more resilient against profit shifting.
(11a) In order to spur investment and achieve a sustainable transition, Member States should be incentivised to adopt targeted accelerated depreciation rules. Such temporary rules should stimulate sustainable economic growth, create jobs, guarantee energy security and foster innovation in sustainable technologies. To operationalise those incentives, the Commission should be mandated to adopt implementing acts.
Or. en
Amendment 712
Proposal for a directive
(12) To achieve the key objective of creating a simplified corporate tax framework, the preliminary tax results for each group member should be aggregated into one single common tax base, in order to subsequently allocate this base to eligible group members. The tax adjustments to the financial statements would produce preliminary tax results for each group member. These results would then be aggregated, which would allow for cross-border loss relief between BEFIT group members, and subsequently, the aggregated tax base would be allocated to group members based on a transition allocation rule; this would pave the way towards a permanent mechanism. That permanent mechanism could be based on a formulary apportionment and would render the need for intra-BEFIT group transactions to be consistent with the arm’s length principle redundant. It would have the advantage of using more recent country-by-country reporting (‘CbCR’) data and the information gathered during the transition period. This will also allow for a more thorough assessment of the impact that the implementation of the two-pillar approach is expected to have on national tax bases and the BEFIT group tax bases. In this way, it would still become possible to materialise the key objective of tax neutrality in the internal market, which would reduce instances of double and over-taxation and enhance tax certainty with the aim of reducing the number of tax disputes.
(12) To achieve the key objective of creating a simplified corporate tax framework, the preliminary tax results for each group member should be aggregated into one single common tax base, in order to subsequently allocate this base to eligible group members. The tax adjustments to the financial statements would produce preliminary tax results for each group member. These results would then be aggregated, which would allow for a capped cross-border loss relief between BEFIT group members, and subsequently, the aggregated tax base would be allocated to group members based on a transition allocation rule; this would pave the way towards a permanent mechanism. ThatThe permanent mechanism should be based on a formulary apportionment includingincluding, but not limited to, three sets of tangible factors: labour, assets,assets and sales. It willwould render the need for intra-BEFIT group transactions to be consistent with the arm’s length principle redundant. It would have the advantage of using more recent country-by-country reporting (‘CbCR’) data and the information gathered during the transition period. This will also allow for a more thorough assessment of the impact that the implementation of the two-pillar approach is expected to have on national tax bases and the BEFIT group tax bases, and therefore, reduce tax compliance costs for companies. In this way, it would still become possible to materialise the key objective of tax neutrality in the internal market, which would reduce instances of double taxation and double non-taxation and enhance tax certainty with the aim of reducing the number of tax disputes.
Or. en
Amendment 813
Proposal for a directive
(14) To provide space for growth and investment, Member States would also be allowed to individually apply additional post-allocation adjustments (e.g. tax treatment of pension contributions) in areas not covered by the common framework. Member States would also be free to further adjust their allocated share without a ceiling in order to ensure that Member States can make their national policy choices in this area. Most importantly, Directive (EU) 2022/2523 would effectively set a ceiling which would effectively ensure that the effective tax rate is at least 15%.
(14) To provide space for growth and investment, Member States would also be allowed to individually apply additional post-allocation adjustments (e.g. tax treatment of pension contributions) in areas not covered by the common framework. Member States would also be free to further adjust their allocated share without a ceiling in order to ensure that Member States can make their national policy choices in this area. The post-allocation adjustment,adjustment however,should, shouldhowever, focus on input-based tax incentives. Member States should refrain from offering output-based tax incentives such as patent boxes and other intellectual property regimes. Most importantly, Directive (EU) 2022/2523 would effectively set a ceiling which would effectively ensure that the effective tax rate is at least 15%.
Or. en
Amendment 914
Proposal for a directive
Recital 14 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(14a) The Commission and the Member States should ensure the coherence and alignment of this Directive with the OECD/G20 Model Rules and with Directive (EU) 2022/2523, in particular as regards the calculation of the effective tax rate on a country-by-country basis, which could be undermined by the cross-border loss relief between BEFIT group members envisaged in this Directive. That dimension should be assessed in the revision of this Directive.
Or. en
Amendment 15
Proposal for a directive
Recital 15
(15) Some Member States operate corporate tax systems which are built on principles that differ from the most common approach, such as distribution-based tax systems. It is therefore of prime importance to put in place the necessary adjustments, in order to ensure a workable interaction with those systems. The solution could be sought in certain post-allocation adjustments. These would entail that the part which would be allocated to a group member under a distribution-based system has to be modified in proportion to the distributions made during the fiscal year. The essence of a distribution-based tax system would be fully retained, considering that the distribution marks a timing point for taxing the allocated part and accordingly determine how much of this would need to be taxed. In this regard, it should be envisaged to operate a carry-forward mechanism, to ensure that the allocated part which is not taxed in the current year would be taxable in the following years.
(15) Some Member States operate corporate tax systems which are built on principles that differ from the most common approach, such as distribution-based tax systems. It is therefore of prime importance to put in place the necessary adjustments, in order to ensure a workable interaction with those systems. The solution could be sought in certain post-allocation adjustments. These would entail that the part which would be allocated to a group member under a distribution-based system has to be modified in proportion to the distributions made during the fiscal year. The essence of a distribution-based tax system would be fully retained, considering that the distribution marks a timing point for taxing the allocated part and accordingly determine how much of this would need to be taxed. In this regard, it should be envisaged to operate a carry-forward mechanism, to ensure that the allocated part which is not taxed in the current year would be taxable in the following years. The possible inclusion of distribution-based tax systems within the scope of this Directive should be assessed after five years.
Or. en
Amendment 1016
Proposal for a directive
(17) A common framework for corporate taxation would necessarily feature an administration system, which should ideally provide for a degree of tax certainty and simplification. To promote uniformity, the administration system would have to build on the importance of operating a centralised point of reference for dealing with a number of common issues, such as an Information Return for the entire group, and ensuring an adequate degree of coordination and collaboration amongst national tax administrations. At the same time, the administration system should fully respect national tax sovereignty as local tax returns, audits and dispute settlement would have to remain primarily at the level of the Member States.
(17) A common framework for corporate taxation would necessarily feature an administration system, which should ideally provide for a degree of tax certainty and simplification. To promote uniformity, the administration system would have to build on the importance of operating a centralised point of reference for dealing with a number of common issues, such as an Information Return for the entire group, and ensuring an adequate degree of confidentiality,confidentiality and security, as well as coordination and collaboration amongst national tax administrations. At the same time, and during the transition period,transition, the administration system should fully respect national tax sovereignty as local tax returns, audits and dispute settlement would have to remain primarily at the level of the Member States.
Or. en
Amendment 1117
Proposal for a directive
(18) To ensure that the rules of the common framework are implemented and enforced correctly, Member States should lay down rules on penalties applicable to infringements of national provisions adopted pursuant to this Directive. Such penalties should be effective, proportionate and dissuasive.
(18) To ensure that the rules of the common framework are implemented and enforced correctly, Member States should lay down rules on penalties applicable to infringements of national provisions adopted pursuant to this Directive. Such penalties should be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. Those penaltiesThey should be set at a minimum rate of 0,1 % of the turnover of the BEFIT group in casethe event of a failure to comply with the requirements laid down in this Directive to file the BEFIT information return accordinglyreturn, and in casethe event of confirmeda intentionaldeliberate misreporting ofin filingthe BEFIT information return.
Or. en
Amendment 1218
Proposal for a directive
(19) To optimise the benefits of having a common legal framework for computing the corporate tax base in the internal market, the application of the rules should be optional for groups, including SME groups, who earn annual combined revenues of less than EUR 750 000 000 as long as they prepare consolidated financial statements and have a taxable presence in the Union. By keeping the application of the rules open to groups of a smaller size, more groups with cross-border structures and activities may benefit from the simplification that the common framework offers.
(19) To optimise the benefits of having a common legal framework for computing the corporate tax base in the internal market, the application of the rules should be optional for groups, including SME groups, who earn annual combined revenues of less than EUR 750 000 000000, and, as of 1 July 2035, of less than EUR 40 000 000, as long as they prepare consolidated financial statements and have a taxable presence in the Union. By keeping the application of the rules open to groups of a smaller size, more groups with cross-border structures and activities may benefit from the simplification that the common framework offers. Companies choosing to be covered by this Directive should benefit from Member States' and the Commission's technical assistance to comply with the new rules and therefore foster their cross-border activities.
Or. en
Amendment 1319
Proposal for a directive
Amendment
(21a) Each BEFIT group should have a filing entity, which should determine the country of the filing authority and the competent tax authority which will lead the BEFIT team. As a matter of principle, the filing authority should be based in the Member State where the parent company of the BEFIT group is resident for tax purposes. WhenWhere the BEFIT group is owned by a firm headquartered in a third country, the filing entity should be the EuropeanUnion intermediate parent undertaking,entity, where there is one.
Or. en
Amendment 1420
Proposal for a directive
Amendment
(21b) ByBefore 31this DecemberDirective 2026,enters into force, the Commission should, where appropriate, submit a legislative proposal for a harmonised, common European taxpayer identification number. This will in turnwould not only facilitate the communication between the representatives of Member States and the BEFIT team, but also increase the efficiency of tax information exchange within the Union.
Or. en
Amendment 1521
Proposal for a directive
(23) The retention period of 10 years is justified in order to allow Member States to comply with most statute of limitations.
(23) The retention period of at least 10 years is justified in order to allow Member States to comply with most statute of limitations.
Or. en
Amendment 1622
Proposal for a directive
Recital 25 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(25a) This Directive is also relevant from a Union own resources perspective, as set out in the legally binding roadmap of 2020 on own resources1a, and the 2021 Communication on the next generation of own resources for the Union budget. A BEFIT-based own resource should link the financing of the Union budget to the benefits enjoyed by companies operating in the internal market and create a strong and stable resource over time. Under a BEFIT-based own resource, Member States should transfer part of their corporate income tax revenues to the Union budget. The roadmap provided for in the Interinstitutional Agreement foresees a new own resource linked to corporate taxation as part of a basket of new revenue sources and, in that respect, the BEFIT initiative constitutes an excellent starting point for a new own resource.
_______________
1a Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources (OJ L 433I, 22.12.2020, p. 28, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_interinstit/2020/1222/oj).
Or. en
Amendment 23
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(ea) extending the concept of a permanent establishment.
Or. en
Amendment 24
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 3
3. A company or a permanent establishment which is subject to this Directive shall cease to be subject to the national corporate tax law in all Member States where it is established in respect of all matters regulated by this Directive, unless otherwise stated in this Directive.
3. A company or a permanent establishment which is subject to this Directive shall cease to be subject to the national corporate tax law establishing a corporate income tax base in all Member States where it is established in respect of all matters regulated by this Directive, unless otherwise stated in this Directive. Provisions regarding the corporate income tax rate remain at the discretion of the Member States within the framework of Directive (EU) 2022/2523.
Or. en
Amendment 1725
Proposal for a directive
Amendment
(a) they belong to a domestic group or to a multinational enterprise group (‘MNE group)group’) which prepares consolidated financial statements and had annual combined revenues of EUR 750 000 000 or more in at least two of the last four fiscal years;
(a) they belong to a domestic group or to a multinational enterprise group (‘MNE group)group’) which prepares consolidated financial statements and:and had annual combined revenues amounting to:
(i) during a transition period- from 1 July 2028 to 30 June 2035, had annual combined revenues of2035: EUR 750 000 000 or more in at least two of the last four fiscal years;
(ii)- from 1 July 2035, had annual combined revenues of2035: EUR 40 000 000 or more in at least two of the last four fiscal years;years.
Or. en
Amendment 1826
Proposal for a directive
Or. en
Amendment 1927
Proposal for a directive
3. Where two or more groups merge to form a single group, the threshold of EUR 750 000 000 referred to in paragraph 1 shall be deemed to be met for any fiscal year prior to the merger if the sum of the combined revenues of the merging groups for that fiscal year, as included in each of their consolidated financial statements, is EUR 750 000 000 or more. The companies and permanent establishments members of that newly formed group shall become subject to this Directive if that threshold was met in at least two of the last four fiscal years.
3. Where two or more groups merge to form a single group, the threshold of EUR 750 000 000 referred to in paragraph 1, point (a)(i)(a), first indent, shall be deemed to be met for any fiscal year prior to the merger if the sum of the combined revenues of the merging groups for that fiscal year, as included in each of their consolidated financial statements, is EUR 750 000 000 or more. The companies and permanent establishments members of that newly formed group shall become subject to this Directive if that threshold was met in at least two of the last four fiscal years. FromAs from 1 July 2035, the threshold of reference is EUR 40 000 000 as referred to in paragraph 1, point (a)(ii).(a), second indent.
Or. en
Amendment 2028
Proposal for a directive
Amendment
4. Where a company that is not a member of a group (the ‘target’) is acquired by another company or a group (the ‘acquiring entity’) and either the target or the acquiring entity did not have consolidated financial statements in any of the four fiscal years immediately preceding the fiscal year of the acquisition, the threshold of annual combined revenues of EUR 750 000 000 referred to in paragraph 1 shall be deemed to be met for that year if the sum of the revenues included in the financial statements or consolidated financial statements of the target and the acquiring entity for that fiscal year is EUR 750 000 000 or more. The acquiring entity shall become subject to this Directive if that threshold was met in at least two of the four fiscal years immediately preceding the fiscal year in which this Directive started to apply to the acquiring entityentity.
4. Where a company that is not a member of a group (the ‘target’) is acquired by another company or a group (the ‘acquiring entity’) and either the target or the acquiring entity did not have consolidated financial statements in any of the four fiscal years immediately preceding the fiscal year of the acquisition, the threshold of annual combined revenues of EUR 750 000 000 referred to in paragraph 1 shall be deemed to be met for that year if the sum of the revenues included in the financial statements or consolidated financial statements of the target and the acquiring entity for that fiscal year is EUR 750 000 000 or more. The acquiring entity shall become subject to this Directive if that threshold was met in at least two of the four fiscal years immediately preceding the fiscal year in which this Directive started to apply to the acquiring entity. FromAs from 1 July 2035, the threshold of reference is EUR 40 000 000 as referred to in paragraph 1, point (a)(ii).(a), second indent.
Or. en
Amendment 2129
Proposal for a directive
5. Where there is a demerger of a group into two or more groups (the ‘demerged groups’), the threshold of EUR 750 000 000 referred to in paragraph 1 shall be deemed to be met by each of the demerged groups where:
5. Where there is a demerger of a group into two or more groups (the ‘demerged groups’), the threshold of EUR 750 000 000 referred to in paragraph 1, point (a)(i)(a), shall be deemed to be met by each of the demerged groups where:
Or. en
Amendment 2230
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 apoint (new)b
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
From 1 July 2035, the threshold of reference is EUR 40 000 000 as referred to in paragraph 1, point (a)(ii).
(b) in the second to fourth fiscal years ending after the demerger, each of the demerged groups has annual combined revenues of EUR 750 000 000 or more in at least two of those fiscal years.
(b) in the second to fourth fiscal years ending after the demerger, each of the demerged groups has annual combined revenues of EUR 750 000 000 or more in at least two of those fiscal years. From 1 July 2035, the threshold of reference is EUR 40 000 000 as referred to in paragraph 1, point (a), second indent.
Or. en
Amendment 2331
Proposal for a directive
7. Member States shall ensure that companies which are resident for tax purposes in a Member State and fulfil the conditions laid down in paragraph 1, point (b), including their permanent establishments located in other Member States, as well as permanent establishments, located in Member States, of third-country entities which fulfil the conditions of paragraph 1, point (c), may choose to be covered by this Directive if they belong to an MNE group or domestic group which prepares consolidated financial statements but does not fulfil the conditions laid down in paragraph 1, point (a) regarding the threshold of EUR 750 000 000.
7. Member States shall ensure that companies which are resident for tax purposes in a Member State and fulfil the conditions laid down in paragraph 1, point (b), including their permanent establishments located in other Member States, as well as permanent establishments, located in Member States, of third-country entities which fulfil the conditions of paragraph 1, point (c), may choose to be covered by this Directive if they belong to an MNE group or domestic group which prepares consolidated financial statements but does not fulfil the conditions laid down in paragraph 1, point a,(a), pointfirst iindent, regarding the threshold of EUR 750 000 000 or paragraph 1, point (a)(ii)(a), second indent, regarding the threshold of EUR 40 000 000.
Or. en
Amendment 2432
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 10 – point b
Text proposed by the Commission
(b) if the ultimate parent entity is not located in a Member State, the entity located in a Member State, that has been appointed by the BEFIT group to fulfil the obligations in relation to the BEFIT group information return set out in Article 57 on behalf of the BEFIT group.
(b) if the ultimate parent entity is not located in a Member State, the intermediate parent entity located in a Member State,State or, in absence of such, the intermediate parent entity located in a Member State and that has been appointed by the BEFIT group to fulfil the obligations in relation to the BEFIT group information return set out in Article 57 on behalf of the BEFIT group.
Or. en
Amendment 2533
Proposal for a directive
(15) ‘economic owner’ means the person who receives substantially all the benefits and bears all the risks attached to a fixed asset, regardless of whether that person is the legal owner. A taxpayer who has the right to possess, use and dispose of a fixed asset and bears the risk of its loss or destruction shall in any event be considered the economic owner;
(15) ‘economic owner’ means the person who receives substantially the most benefits and bears the most risks attached to a fixed asset, regardless of whether that person is the legal owner. A taxpayer who has the right to possess, use and dispose of a fixed asset and bears the risk of its loss or destruction shall in any event be considered the economic owner;
Or. en
Amendment 2634
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
Article 4a
Significant economic presence
1. For the purposes of corporate tax, a permanent establishment shall be deemed to exist if a significant economic presence exists through which a business is wholly or partly carried on.
2. Paragraph 1 shall be in addition to, and shall not affect or limit the application of, any other test under Union or national law for determining the existence of a permanent establishment in a Member State for the purposes of corporate tax, whether specifically in relation to the supply of digital services or otherwise.
3. A significant economic presence shall be considered to exist in a Member State in a tax period if total revenues derived by a BEFIT group from that Member State exceed EUR 1 000 000.
4. The Commission shall, by means of implementing acts, lay down a detailed methodology for the sourcing rules to define the revenues. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure.
Or. en
Amendment 35
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the company is either the ultimate parent entity of the group or any other company of the group in which the ultimate parent entity holds, directly or indirectly, at least 75% of the ownership rights or of the rights giving entitlement to profit;
(a) the company is either the ultimate parent entity of the group, the intermediate parent companyentity of the group located in a Member State or any other company of the group, in which the ultimate parent entity holds, directly or indirectly, at least 50 %50% of the ownership rights or of the rights giving entitlement to profit;
Or. en
Amendment 2736
Proposal for a directive
(b) the head office of the permanent establishment is either the ultimate parent entity of the group or any other member (company or entity) of the group in which the ultimate parent entity holds, directly or indirectly, at least 75% of the ownership rights or of the rights giving entitlement to profit.
(b) the head office of the permanent establishment is either the ultimate parent entity of the group, the intermediate parent entity of the group located in a Member State or any other member (company or entity) of the group in which the ultimate parent entity holds, directly or indirectly, at least 50 %50% of the ownership rights or of the rights giving entitlement to profit.
Or. en
Amendment 2837
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
With the exception of financial assets held for trading, as referred to in Article 11(1), and investments made for the benefit of life insurance policyholders bearing the investment risk in the context of a unit-linked/index-linked life insurance policy, as referred to in Article 14, the financial accounting net income or loss of a BEFIT group member shall be adjusted to exclude 95% of the amount of dividends or other distributions received or accrued during the fiscal year, provided that at the date of distribution, the ownership interest is held by the BEFIT group member for more than one year and this interest carries right to more than 10% of the profits, capital, reserves or voting rights.
With the exception of financial assets held for trading, as referred to in Article 11(1), and investments made for the benefit of life insurance policyholders bearing the investment risk in the context of a unit-linked/index-linked life insurance policy, as referred to in Article 14, the financial accounting net income or loss of a BEFIT group member shall be adjusted to exclude 95% of the amount of dividends or other distributions received or accrued during the fiscal year, provided that at the date of distribution, the ownership interest is held by the BEFIT group member for more than one year and this interest carries right to more than 10% of the profits, capital, reserves or voting rights, and the dividends or other distributions have been subject to an effective tax rate not below 9%.
Or. en
Amendment 38
Proposal for a directive
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Or. en
Amendment 2939
Proposal for a directive
Amendment
1a. For the purpose of this article,Article, ‘exceeding borrowing costs’ means the amount by which the deductible borrowing costs of a taxpayer exceed taxable interest revenues and other economically equivalent taxable revenues that the taxpayer receives accordingpursuant to national law.
Exceeding borrowing costs shall be deductible up to 75 % in the tax period in which they are incurred. If such amount is higher than 20 % of the taxpayer's earnings before interest, tax, depreciation,depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), the taxpayer isdeduction entitledshall tobe deductlimited onlyto the20 lower% of the two amounts in the taxtaxpayer’s period.EBITDA.
Article 44(2), paragraphsArticle 2,4(3), 3,Article 4,4(4), point (b), 5,Article 7,4(5), 8Article of4(7) and Article 44(8) of Council Directive (EU) 2016/11641aapply2016/11641a shall apply to a BEFIT group.
_________________
Or. en
Amendment 3040
Proposal for a directive
Royalties limitation rule
A BEFIT group member shall adjust itsThe financial accounting net income or loss toof includea theBEFIT amountgroup ofmember royaltyshall costsbe foradjusted whichto theinclude correspondingany incomeamounts of theroyalty recipientcosts ofand thelicence royaltyfee orpayments licencefor feewhich paymentthe corresponding income derived by the recipient BEFIT group member is subject to an effective tax rate below 9 %.9%.
Or. en
Amendment 3141
Proposal for a directive
Entertainment costs
The financial accounting net income or loss of a BEFIT group member shall be adjusted to include 50 %50% of the amount of expenses accrued for entertainment costs.
Or. en
Amendment 3242
Proposal for a directive
Article 21a
Controlled Foreignforeign Companiescompanies
1. The financial accounting net income or loss of a BEFIT group member shall be adjusted to include the non-distributed income of an entity or permanent establishment, which isestablishment treated as a controlled foreign company as referred to in Article 7(1) of Council Directive (EU) 2016/1164, which is derived from the following categories:
(i) interest or any other income generated by financial assets;
(iv) income from financial leasing;
(v) income from insurance, banking,banking and other financial activities;
(vi) income from invoicing companies that earn sales and services income from goods and services purchased from and sold to associated enterprises, and add no or little economic value;value.
The firstParagraph subparagraph1 shall not apply where the controlled foreign company carries out a substantive economic activity supported by staff, equipment, assets,assets and premises, as evidenced by relevant facts and circumstances.
Where the controlled foreign company is resident or situated in a third country that is not party to thean EEA Agreement,Member State, Member States may decide to refrain from applying the firstthis subparagraph.paragraph.
2. The income to be included in the tax base shall be calculated accordingin toaccordance with Article 8 of Council Directive (EU) 2016/1164.
Or. en
Amendment 3343
Proposal for a directive
1. The financial accounting net income or loss of a BEFIT group member shall be adjusted to exclude in the fiscal year of acquisition any fixed tangible asset that has a book value before depreciation which is below EUR 5000.
1. The financial accounting net income or loss of a BEFIT group member shall be adjusted to exclude in the fiscal year of acquisition any fixed tangible asset that has a book value before depreciation which is below EUR 1000.1 000.
Or. en
Amendment 3444
Proposal for a directive
(a) all buildings as well as any other type of immovable property and structure in use for the business: 28 years;
(a) all buildings as well as any other type of immovable property and structure in use for the business, apartwith fromthe exception of industrial buildings and structures: 40 years;
Or. en
Amendment 3545
Proposal for a directive
Or. en
Amendment 3646
Proposal for a directive
(b) all other fixed tangible assets: their useful life as assessed in accordance with the acceptable accounting standard in the Union referred to in Article 7;
(b) all other fixed tangible assets: their useful life as assessed in accordance with the acceptable accounting standard in the Union referred to in Article 7, but notwith lessa thanminimum of 10 years;
Or. en
Amendment 3747
Proposal for a directive
Or. en
Amendment 3848
Proposal for a directive
Article 22 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
5a. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts to supplement this Directive by laying down temporary rules regarding accelerated depreciation for the cost of eligible assets and improvements to existing assets which qualify as environmentally sustainable within the meaning of Regulation 2020/852 on the establishment of a framework to facilitate sustainable investment1a. Those delegated acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 74(2).
_________________
1a Regulation (EU) 2020/852 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2020 on the establishment of a framework to facilitate sustainable investment, and amending Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 (OJ L 198, 22.6.2020, p. 13; ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2020/852/oj).
Or. en
Amendment 49
Proposal for a directive
Article 23 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Amendment
5a. Member States areshall not allowed to grant further entitlemententitlements to depreciate to a BEFIT group member other than those specified in this Section.
Or. en
Amendment 3950
Proposal for a directive
Article 25 – paragraph 3 – introductory part1
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
1. Acquisition costs, construction costs or improvement costs, together with the date of entry into use after acquisition, construction or improvement, shall be recorded in a fixed asset register for each fixed asset separately.
1. Acquisition costs, construction costs or improvement costs, together with the date of entry into use after acquisition, construction or improvement, shall be recorded in a fixed asset register within the BEFIT group for each fixed asset separately.
Or. en
Amendment 51
Proposal for a directive
Article 25 – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
3. The fixed asset register shall be kept in a manner that provides sufficient information, including depreciation data, to calculate the preliminary tax result and shall include at least the following information:
3. The fixed asset register shall be kept in a manner that provides sufficient information, including depreciation data, to calculate the preliminary tax result. A copy of the fixed asset register shall be kept by the BEFIT group for five years afterfrom the date that the depreciation of such asset ceased. The fixed asset register shall include at least the following information:
Or. en
Amendment 4052
Proposal for a directive
Article 4241 – paragraph 21 -– pointsubparagraph b2
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
The first subparagraph shall not apply if the BEFIT group member demonstrates that the intra-BEFIT group transaction was carried out for valid commercial reasons.
The first subparagraph shall not apply if the BEFIT group member demonstrates that the intra-BEFIT group transaction was carried out for valid commercial reasons within the meaning of Article 15(1), point (a), of Directive 2009/133/EC.
Or. en
Amendment 53
Proposal for a directive
Article 42 – paragraph 2 – point b
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(b) a negative amount, the loss shall be carried forward and shall be set off against the next positive BEFIT tax base.
(b) a negative amount, the loss shall be set off against the taxable income of the ultimate parent entity and shall be carried forward for a maximum of five years and shall be set off against the next positive BEFIT tax base. The deduction shall be in proportion to the holding of the ultimate parent entity in its qualifying subsidiaries as referred to in Article 3(1) and in full for permanent establishments. The reduction of the tax base of the resident taxpayer shall not result in a negative amount.
Or. en
Amendment 4154
Proposal for a directive
Or. en
Amendment 4255
Proposal for a directive
Or. en
Amendment 4356
Proposal for a directive
Amendment
3a. The 5 % benchmark setreferred outto in paragraph 3 is raised to 10 % for fiscal years during which the indices of consumer prices increase by 4 %4% or more in the Member State of athe BEFIT group member.
Or. en
Amendment 4457
Proposal for a directive
Or. en
Amendment 4558
Proposal for a directive
Article 45 – paragraph 9
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
9. The Commission shall carry out a comprehensive review of the transition rule as part of which it shall prepare a study on the possible composition and weight of selected formula factors and submit a report to the Council by the end of the third fiscal year during the transition period referred to in paragraph 1. If the Commission deems it appropriate, taking into account the conclusions of this report, it may adopt a legislative proposal during the transition period, to amend this Directive by introducing a method for the allocation of the BEFIT tax base using formulary apportionment and based on factors.
9. The Commission shall carry out a comprehensive review of the transition rule and shall submit a report to the European Parliament and to the Council by the end of the third fiscal year during the transition period referred to in paragraph 1.
Or. en
Amendment 59
Proposal for a directive
Article 45 a (new)
Allocation rule based on tangible factors
1. As of 1 July 2035, the BEFIT tax base shall be allocated to the BEFIT group membersmember in jurisdiction ‘A’ of a BEFIT group in each tax year on the basis of a formula that gives equal weight to the factors of sales, labour,labour and assets according to Articles 45b to 45i:
2. The consolidated tax base of a BEFIT group shall be shared only where it is positive.
3. The calculations for sharing the consolidated tax base shall be done at the end of the tax year of the BEFIT group.
4. A period of 15 days or more in a calendar month shall be considered as a whole month.
5. When determining the apportioned share of a BEFIT group member, equal weight shall be given to the factors of sales, labour,labour and assets.
Or. en
Amendment 4660
Proposal for a directive
Composition of the labour factor
1. The labour factor shall consist, as to one half, of the total amount of the payroll of a BEFIT group member as its numerator and the total amount of the payroll of the BEFIT group as its denominator, andand, as to the other half, of the number of employees of a BEFIT group member as its numerator and the number of employees of the BEFIT group as its denominator. Where an individual employee is included in the labour factor of a BEFIT group member, the payroll relating to that employee shall be allocated to the labour factor of the same BEFIT group member.
2. The number of employees shall be measuredcounted at the end of the tax year.
3. The definition of an employee shall be determined by the national law of the Member State where the employment is exercised.
Or. en
Amendment 4761
Proposal for a directive
1. Employees shall be included in the labour factor of the group member from which they receive remuneration.
2. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, where employees physically exercise their employment under the control and responsibility of an entity other than that from which they receive remuneration, those employees as well as the amount of payroll related to them shall be included in the labour factor of the former entity. This rule shall only apply where all of the following conditions are met:
This rule shall only apply where all of the following conditions are met:
(a) the employment lasts for an uninterrupted period of at least three months;
(b) those employees represent at least 5 %5% of the overall number of employees of the group member from which they receive remuneration.
3. Employees shall include persons who, although not employed directly by a BEFIT group member, perform tasks similar to those performed by employees.
4. Payroll shall include all costs of salaries, wages, bonuses and all other employee compensation, including related pension and social security costs borne by the employer as well as expenses of the employer corresponding to the cost of persons as referred to in paragraph 3.employer.
5. Payroll costs shall be valued at the amount of expenses that are treated as deductible by the employer in a tax year.
Or. en
Amendment 4862
Proposal for a directive
Composition of the asset factor
1. The asset factor shall consist of the average value of all fixed tangible assets owned, rented or leased by a BEFIT group member as its numerator and the average value of all fixed tangible assets owned, rented or leased by the BEFIT group as its denominator.
2. In the five years that follow a taxpayer joining an existing or new BEFIT group, its asset factor shall also include the total amount of costs incurred for research, development, marketing,marketing and advertising by the taxpayer over the six years that preceded its joining the group.
Or. en
Amendment 4963
Proposal for a directive
Or. en
Amendment 5064
Proposal for a directive
Valuation
1. Land and other non-depreciable fixed tangible assets shall be valued at their original cost.
Regarding valuation, the following rules shall apply:
2. An individually depreciable fixed tangible asset shall be valued at the average of its value for tax purposes at the beginning and at the end of a tax year.
(a) land and other non-depreciable fixed tangible assets shall be valued at their original cost;
(b) an individually depreciable fixed tangible asset shall be valued at the average of its value for tax purposes at the beginning and at the end of a tax year. Where, as a result of one or more intra-group transactions, an individually depreciable fixed tangible asset is included in the asset factor of a BEFIT group member for less than a tax year, the value to be taken into account shall be calculated having regard to the number of months that the asset was included in the asset factor of that BEFIT group member.member;
3.(c) Thethe renter or lessee of an asset of which it is not the economic owner shall value that rented or leased asset at eight times the net annual rental or lease payment due, less any amounts receivable from sub-rentals or sub-leases. A BEFIT group member renting out or leasing an asset of which it is not the economic owner shall value that rented or leased asset at eight times the net annual rental or lease payment due;
A BEFIT group member renting out or leasing an asset of which it is not its economic owner shall value that rented or leased asset at eight times the net annual rental or lease payment due.
(d) an asset sold by a BEFIT group member to a person outside the BEFIT group following an intra-group transfer in the same or the previous tax year shall be included in the asset factor of the transferring BEFIT group member for the period between the intra-group transfer and the sale to the person outside the BEFIT group, except where the BEFIT group members concerned demonstrate that the intra-group transfer was made for genuine commercial reasons.
4. An asset sold by a BEFIT group member to a person outside the BEFIT group following an intra-group transfer in the same or the previous tax year shall be included in the asset factor of the transferring BEFIT group member for the period between the intra-group transfer and the sale to the person outside the BEFIT group, except where the BEFIT group members concerned demonstrate that the intra-group transfer was made for genuine commercial reasons.
Or. en
Amendment 5165
Proposal for a directive
Composition of the sales factor
1. The sales factor shall consist of the total sales allocated to a BEFIT group membermember, as its numeratornumerator, and the total sales of the BEFIT groupgroup, as its denominator.
Or. en
Amendment 5266
Proposal for a directive
Or. en
Amendment 5367
Proposal for a directive
Detailed rules on the calculation of factors
The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 74 to supplement this Directive by laying down detailed rules on the calculation of the labour, asset and sales factors, the allocation of employees and payroll, assets and sales to the respective factor and the valuation of assets. Those delegated acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 74(2).
Or. en
Amendment 5468
Proposal for a directive
Or. en
Amendment 5569
Proposal for a directive
Or. en
Amendment 5670
Proposal for a directive
Article 47 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Text proposed by the Commission
Or. en
Amendment 5771
Proposal for a directive
2. In addition to the adjustments listed in paragraph 1, a Member State may allow for increasing or decreasing, through additional items, the allocated part of BEFIT group members that are resident for tax purposes or situated in the form of a permanent establishment in that Member State.
2. In addition to the adjustments listed in paragraph 1, a Member State maymay, subject to Directive (EU) 2022/2523, allow for increasing or decreasing, through additional items, the allocated part of BEFIT group members that are resident for tax purposes or situated in the form of a permanent establishment in that Member State. Such adjustments shall be subject to the provisions of Directive (EU) 2022/2523.
Or. en
Amendment 5872
Proposal for a directive
Or. en
Amendment 5973
Proposal for a directive
Article 57 – paragraph 3 a– subparagraph 2 (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
3a.For Allthe purposes of point (d)(ii), all supporting documentation that was used to build the BEFIT tax base referred to in paragraph 3, pointthat (d)(ii)provision shall be kept for ten10 years in order to be made available to the competent authorities of all Member States in which the BEFIT group members are resident for tax purposes or situated in the form of a permanent establishment.
Or. en
Amendment 6074
Proposal for a directive
Article 57 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
4a. BEFIT teams shall use all existing procedures and arrangements offered by Directive 2011/16/EU on administrative cooperation in the field of taxation to ensure an efficient cooperation and exchange of information between national tax administrations.
Or. en
Amendment 75
Proposal for a directive
Article 60 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Amendment
2a. The Member States shall ensureattribute adequate human resources to the BEFIT team, including by providing content and language training to the BEFIT team representatives.
Or. en
Amendment 6176
Proposal for a directive
Or. en
Amendment 6277
Proposal for a directive
Or. en
Amendment 6378
Proposal for a directive
Or. en
Amendment 6479
Proposal for a directive
Or. en
Amendment 6580
Proposal for a directive
Or. en
Amendment 6681
Proposal for a directive
1. The competent authority of a Member State may initiate and coordinate audits of BEFIT group members that are resident for tax purposes or situated in the form of a permanent establishment in that Member State.
1. The competent authority of a Member State may initiate and coordinate audits of BEFIT group members that are resident for tax purposes or situated in the form of a permanent establishment in that Member State. TheThat competent authority shall notify the other BEFIT team members within aone month of the initiation of such an audit.
Or. en
Amendment 6782
Proposal for a directive
Or. en
Amendment 6883
Proposal for a directive
Or. en
Amendment 6984
Proposal for a directive
Where the outcome of an administrative or judicial appeal requires amendments to the individual tax assessment of one or more member of a BEFIT group, Member States shall take the appropriate measures to ensure that such amendments remain possible, notwithstanding any time limits in the domestic laws of Member States.
Where the outcome of an administrative or judicial appeal requires amendments to the tax assessment of the BEFIT group or to the individual tax assessment of one or more members of a BEFIT group, Member States shall take the appropriate measures to ensure that such amendments remain possiblepossible, inwithin a time frametimeframe of 10 years.
Or. en
Amendment 7085
Proposal for a directive
Member States shall lay down rules on penalties applicable to infringements of national provisions adopted pursuant to this Directive and shall take all necessary measures to ensure that they are implemented and enforced. Penalties and compliance measures provided for shall be effective, proportionate and dissuasive.
Member States shall lay down rules on penalties applicable to infringements of national provisions adopted pursuant to this Directive and shall take all necessary measures to ensure that they are implemented and enforced. Penalties and compliance measures provided for shall be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. Penalties shall be set at a minimum of 0,1 % of the turnover of the BEFIT group in casethe event of a failure to file the BEFIT information return in accordance with Article 59 and in casethe event of confirmeda intentionaldeliberate misreporting whenin filinga theBEFIT information return.
Or. en
Amendment 7186
Proposal for a directive
Amendment
2a. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 45(i)45i shall be conferred on the Commission for an indeterminate period starting on 1 July 2035.
Or. en
Amendment 7287
Proposal for a directive
Article 77 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission relevant information for the evaluation of the Directive in accordance with paragraph 3, including aggregated data on BEFIT group members which are resident for tax purposes in their jurisdiction and permanent establishments thereof operating in their jurisdiction, in order to properly assess the impact of the transition allocation rule and of Directive (EU) 2022/2523 as well as assessing the situation regarding Pillar One of the Statement on a Two-Pillar Solution to Address the Tax Challenges Arising from the Digitalisation of the Economy agreed by the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on BEPS on 8 October 2021.
2. Member States shall communicate to the European Parliament and to the Commission relevant information for the evaluation of the Directive in accordance with paragraph 3, including aggregated data on BEFIT group members which are resident for tax purposes in their jurisdiction and permanent establishments thereof operating in their jurisdiction, in order to properly assess:
(i) the impact of the transition allocation rule;
(ii) the link with other legislative acts in the area of corporate taxation, namely Directive (EU) 2022/2523 as well as the situation regarding Pillar One of the Statement on a Two-Pillar Solution to Address the Tax Challenges Arising from the Digitalisation of the Economy agreed by the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on BEPS on 8 October 2021;
(iii) the relevance of the scope of this Directive and notably its potential extension to large groups as referred to in Article 3(7) of Directive 2013/34/EU;
(iv) the relevance of removing the exclusion of shipping income from the preliminary tax result;
(v) the impact on double tax treaties;
(vi) the impact of the co-existence of two tax systems, at Union level and at national level, on the administrative burden for entrepreneurs and tax administrations resulting from the application of Section 5 of Chapter II;
(vii) the impact of the allocation of the tax base on the Member States’ revenues;
(viii) the impact of the co-existence of distribution-based tax systems, as referred to in Article 49, with traditional corporate tax systems relying on annual taxes on corporate profits.
Or. en
Amendment 88
Proposal for a directive
Article 77 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Amendment
2a. The Commission shall include in its report an evaluation of the co-existence of distribution-based tax systems, as referred to in Article 49, with traditional corporate tax systems relying on annual taxes on corporate profits.
2a. From ... [two years after the date of application of Article 45a], the Commission shall examine and evaluate the relevance of the factors in the allocation formula and their impact on the distribution of corporate income tax revenues in Member States, and report to the European Parliament and to the Council to that effect. The report shall, where appropriate, be accompanied by a legislative proposal to amend this Directive.
Or. en
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
The ‘Business in Europe: Framework for Income Taxation’ (BEFIT),(BEFIT) proposal introduces a common system for calculating the corporate tax base of large cross-border groups ofbusiness companiesgroups acrossin the EU and for the allocation ofallocating suchthese tax bases toamong eachthe membermembers of thesethe BEFIT groups.
Context
The BEFIT proposal -aims to further coordinate and harmonise the EU's corporate tax frameworkframework, -playing isa pivotalkey role in facilitating cross-border business and investment in the EU.investments. The proposal will reduce the costs andcosts, complexity of administrative and tax compliance for both businesses and tax authorities on the oneauthorities, hand,while andalso minimiselimiting the leewayopportunities for corporate tax avoidance on the other. Theavoidance. BEFIT proposal draws on two directivesprevious proposedproposals made by the European Commission in 2016. Namely, theThe Common Corporate Tax Base (CCTB) and the Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB). These two directivesproposals containedoutlined a comprehensive packageset of new corporate tax rules for the calculation of a CCCTB base and the apportionment of this base according to a formula based on substance factors.factors reflecting real economic activities. Despite broad support from the European Parliament, civil societysociety, and businesses, thethese earlier proposals receivedsaw littlelimited discussionprogress in the CouncilCouncil, mainly due to theconcerns variedover their uneven impact across the proposals27 couldMember States and a perceived lack of flexibility. Since 2016, international corporate tax rules have hadchanged significantly. The OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on BEPS, especially the 27agreement on Pillar II establishing a global minimum corporate tax rate, has set a new benchmark for tax coordination. These developments offer the EU a timely opportunity to revive discussions on a common corporate tax base and strengthen its internal alignment. At the same time, growing geopolitical tensions and the fragmentation of the global economy have made cross-border business more complex and unpredictable. In this context, corporate tax harmonisation within the EU is not just administrative efficiency, but a strategic necessity. A coordinated and stable tax framework is essential to support the Single Market and ensure policy coherence across Member States,States. Moreover, a transparent and consistent corporate tax system is vital for advancing the Capital Markets Union. It reduces regulatory disparities, removes investment barriers, and deepens financial and economic integration. Ultimately, BEFIT will enhance a certainfair lackand ofefficient flexibility.EU business environment while strengthening the fight against aggressive tax planning.
Nevertheless, the global tax discourse has evolved since 2016 and various reforms in corporate taxation have been introduced since then. In particular, the international negotiations on the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on BEPS for Pillars I and II, i.e. redistributing taxing rights and setting an effective minimum level of corporate tax, have outlined what a harmonised tax base might look like.
The Commission Proposal
The proposal
With the BEFIT proposal, the Commission seeks to integrate these international developments into a new, unified set of rules to create a common corporate tax base across the EU. Unlike the CCCTB proposal, which used taxable profits as the starting point, BEFIT begins with consolidated financial accounts and then applies adjustments to derive a taxable base. A key feature of BEFIT is its flexibility. Member States retain the ability to apply tax incentives and adjustments to their share of the allocated tax base. However, these incentives are constrained by the 15% minimum effective tax rate established in Directive (EU) 2022/2523.
With its BEFIT proposal, the Commission aims to integrate these advances into a new set of rules designed to create a common corporate tax base in the EU. The main difference with the CCCTB proposal - which proposed common rules to calculate the tax base based on taxable profits - is that the calculation of the BEFIT tax base starts from consolidated accounting, where adjustments are made to obtain a tax base. Important to note, is that the BEFIT proposal leaves greater room for manoeuver for Member States to apply tax incentives and other tax adjustments to the BEFIT proposal, regarding the tax base allocated to them. However, such incentives are linked to the minimum effective tax rate of 15% set out in Directive (EU) 2022/2523.
BEFIT applies to large cross-border companies with an annual turnover of €750 million or more, forming the BEFIT groups. Smaller groups can voluntarily join and prepare consolidated accounts. Adjustments are then made to determine provisional tax results, including items like dividends, fines, excess interest, and corporation tax paid. The draft directive also includes common rules on amortisation, timing, and quantification. In particular, the BEFIT proposal introduces an apportionment rule for calculating the BEFIT base. The allocation to Member States will be based on the average share of the BEFIT base of each national BEFIT group member in the last three tax years, thus moving away from an allocation key based on the place of economic substance. However, this is proposed as a transitional rule until 2035.
BEFIT applies to large companies with an annual turnover of EUR 750 million or more, which form the so-called BEFIT groups. Smaller groups can join if they wish and prepare consolidated accounts. Adjustments are then made to determine the provisional tax results of the BEFIT group. These include the addition or deduction of items such as dividends, fines, excess interest payments, corporation tax already paid, etc., to bring the BEFIT tax base more in line with taxable profits. Furthermore, the draft directive provides for common rules on amortisation, timing and quantification. In particular, the BEFIT proposal includes an apportionment rule for the calculation of the BEFIT base. However, this is proposed as a transitional rule until 2035. The subsequent allocation to Member States will be based on the average share of the BEFIT base of each national BEFIT group member in the last three tax years, thus moving away from an allocation key based on the place of economic substance.
The proposal also contains innovative transfer pricing rules, which are to be maintained until the end of the transitional period:
For intra-group transactions, a risk assessment framework that defines low and high risk zones,zones;
For intra-group transactions outside the EU, a "traffic light system" with zones for low, medium and high risk, as far as low-risk distribution and contract manufacturing activities are concerned.concerned;
Finally, the BEFIT proposal outlines the administration of the BEFIT system, including the establishment of joint BEFIT teams for each BEFIT group, comprising representatives of the tax administrations of the Member States where the BEFIT group operates.
The mainMain adjustmentsAdjustments proposedProposed by the rapporteurRapporteur
The rapporteur supports the objectives of the BEFIT proposal and is convincedaffirms that further harmonisation of the corporate tax base is beneficial for the stability and competitiveness of the internal market, while safeguarding sustainable tax revenues for Member States. In addition,Fragmented thenational proposaltax willsystems makecurrently aact significantas contributionbarriers to reducingcross-border investment by increasing tax uncertainty, distorting competition, and raising compliance costs andfor administrativebusinesses. burdensBy aligning corporate tax rules across Member States, BEFIT will help remove these obstacles - making it easier for BEFIT companies to raise capital, operate and expand seamlessly across borders, and minimise their compliance costs and administrative burdens. It will also be an effective instrument for reducing opportunities foragainst tax evasion and avoidance.
To reinforce these objectives, the rapporteur proposes to:
Lower the annual revenue threshold of multinational enterprise groups after the transitional period currently outlined in the proposal, so that all large groups, as defined inunder the Accounting Directive (Directive 2013/34/EU), fall within the scope of the BEFIT proposal.BEFIT.
Slightly revise theAdapt interest limitation rules for BEFIT groups to reduce the distortiondistortions ofin the debt/equity ratio that can arise fromcaused over-relianceby onexcessive intra-group debt financing and to reduce the scope for taxcurb base erosion and profit shiftingshifting, throughwhich can occur as a result from excessive interest payments.payments
Introduce more robustStrengthen Controlled Foreign Company rules, the so-called CFC(CFC) rules for BEFIT groups to makeenhance themresilience moreagainst resilientprofit toshifting profitwithin shifting.BEFIT groups.
Define the rules onRefine depreciation in morerules detail,to asaddress the current proposal could lead to apotential reductionEUR in31 thebillion tax base of around EUR 31 billion,loss accordinghighlighted toin the Commission's impact assessment.
Limit tax incentives, despitewhile giving Member States greater flexibility in granting them. In particular, theStates' Rapporteurflexibility, wouldwith likea topreference favourfor input-based incentivesincentives, especially for R&D.
The main change proposed byReplace the rapporteurtransitional isapportionment therule introductionwith ofa anmaterial factor-based allocation formula based onafter material2035. factorsThe atmain thechange endproposed ofby the transition period. Such a formula providesrapporteur foris an equally weighted allocation betweenformula thebased factorson ofmaterial labour,factors—labour, wealthassets, and sales. Only a formula basedsales, onequally factorsweighted canand fullyapplied exploitafter the potentialtransition forperiod. harmonisationThis offormula thefully supports tax base harmonisation by eliminating the need to rely onfor transfer pricing for transactions within a BEFIT groupgroups, (reducedreducing compliance burden, bettercosts protectionand againstlimiting base erosion and profit shifting).shifting.