Abuse of law in European taxation - Divergences or convergences of Concepts and Policies?

The fight against tax fraud and avoidance has become one of the main drivers of EU legislation and continues to influence the shaping of the case-law of the European Court of Justice in tax matters. The concept of abuse plays a key role in the interpretation of EU primary and secondary law and is even referred to in a number of provisions of EU tax legislation (harmonization directives, administrative cooperation and exchange of information). However, after almost 25 years of application by European and domestic courts and tax authorities, this apparently unifying function of the concept of abuse in tax matters raises a number of unresolved issues, creating significant legal uncertainty for taxpayers.

The conference will gather together academics, public officials and practitioners to discuss the most recent issues concerning the prohibition of abuse in tax matters, as regards the application of fundamental freedoms, the EU corporate tax directives, including the recent Pillar 2 directive and the Unshell directive proposal, VAT and customs, exchange of information,. The conference will also address the latest implications of the notion of abuse of law on corporate tax planning and tax competition among Member States in the context of the international initiatives aiming at curbing base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) and improving global tax transparency (exchange of information).