EU Parliament approves new EU Commissioners – But tax role is split

• New College of Commissioners Approved: On November 27, 2024, the European Parliament approved the new College of Commissioners, which officially assumed office on December 1, 2024. Their priorities will significantly influence the EU’s tax agenda and business landscape.
• Key Focus Areas: Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra is responsible for climate, net zero, clean growth, and tax matters, emphasizing climate-friendly taxation, closing tax gaps, combating tax fraud, and simplifying the EU tax system. He aims to advance negotiations on the Energy Taxation Directive and promote initiatives like BEFIT and HOT while addressing digital taxation and corporate tax reform.
• Streamlining Regulations: Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis focuses on reducing administrative burdens and enhancing competitiveness through tax reform. He supports the OECD’s Pillar Two framework and advocates for a shift towards wealth and green taxes to promote fairness and decarbonization in the EU tax system.
• Collaboration and Simplification: The new Commissioners plan to work collaboratively without operating in silos, with both Hoekstra and Dombrovskis committed to ensuring that tax policies support broader EU goals, including social fairness and environmental sustainability, while streamlining regulations for businesses.

Source PwC

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