European Commission Proposes Wide Ranging Initiatives to Combat Tax Crimes

On June 27, 2012, the European Commission issued a communication on initiatives to strengthen the efforts against tax crimes, including in relation to third countries.[1]  The Commission’s report responds to a directive on March 2, 2012, in which the European Council called on the Council and the Commission to rapidly develop concrete ways to improve the fight against tax fraud and tax evasion, including in relation to third countries, and to report by June 2012.  In April 2013, the European Parliament adopted a resolution echoing the urgent need for action in this area.