Lecturer: Miljen Matijašević G10, room 6, Wed 11:00-12:00 Session 5

1. Revision of the previous session 2. Taxation in the European Union 3. Vocabulary and Practice

Economic and Monetary Union and the Euro

1. When was the EMU set up? 2. Who makes part of the EMU? 3. Why was the Treaty of Maastricht important for the EMU? 4. Who opted out of the EMU? 5. What is the Euro Group and what decision made it possible? 6. What are the benefits of the EMU?

Unit 8

 What do you think?  Who determines tax rates in the EU?  What freedom do member states have in determining taxes?

 Read the introductory paragraph on p. 24.  Who decides on the levels of taxation in the EU?  What is the aim of EU taxation policy? To ensure achievement of the goals of:  job creation  competitiveness of the EU  the single market  free movement of capital

 Read the following two paragraphs.  Are there any requirements as to national public finances?  Who sets tax rates?  What principle is applied in decision-making regarding tax matters at EU level? What is the purpose of this principle?

 Read the remaining two paragraphs on the page.  Why does the European Commission promote co-ordination and coherence?  What would happen if there was no co- ordination at EU level?  What is the role of the ECJ in tax matters?

 page 25, paragraph 1  How is VAT policy regulated at EU level?  paragraph 2  What about excise taxes?  Are energy products treated differently?  paragraphs 3-5  Summarize the outlined tax-related challenges.

 paragraph 1  Who makes personal taxation rules?  What is the role of the European Commission?  paragraph 2  How is taxation of savings regulated in the EU?

 EU member states decide about tax collection and rates  EU – guardian of the single market  EU regulations to avoid double taxation or tax avoidance  VAT – minimum 15% rate is set at EU level, as is the introduction of exceptional reduced rates

 Variations in excise taxes  Common policy regarding taxation of energy products -> facilitates common energy policy  Personal taxation – regulated at national level  Tax on savings paid to country of residence  Alternative: withholding tax – paid in bulk for all interests to the country of residence

single market free movement of capital leeway unanimity (unanimous) standard VAT rate withholding tax tax revenue

 Do the exercises on p.26 in your coursebook