The European Commission has launched two public consultations and have formed an expert group to look at the tax obstacles that impede cross border activity.

This consultation will look at examples of tax problems that are encountered and any effective practises that are engaged in by EU countries to prevent these problems.  It is expected that the period of the consultation will be from 10 April 2014 to 3 July 2014.

Two of the areas that are being examined are preventing double taxation of inheritance and gifts with the aim to eliminate double taxation within the EU.

Persons moving countries and engaging in purchasing offline and online goods as well as investment in other EU countries has increased substantially in recent years bringing to light more and more problems with cross border taxation.

In 2011 The Commission already presented a communication on double taxation outlining the problems and possible solutions and presented a recommendation to member states, this new consultation will assess good practices and make further recommendations to all EU countries.

There are now numerous double taxation agreements in place between countries to try and eliminate duplication of tax payment, but due to the different ways that countries collect various taxes it is not always possible to avoid double taxation of income or assets.

Here at Chesterfield we encounter queries on a daily basis with regards to business who through their regular trading encounter examples of cross border taxation and are able to advise on the most effective business structures in order to comply with all tax legislation whilst endeavouring to minimise tax.