The mission of Tax Foundation Europe is to promote tax policies that are stable, neutral, simple, and transparent at the Member State and EU levels.
We produce research and analysis specifically designed to inform five key debates in European tax policy: the concept of tax fairness, the twin transition of the green and digital economies, government revenue and own resources, competitiveness and productivity, and the future of taxation in the EU.
One of our flagship tools is the European Tax Policy Scorecard (ETPS), which compares the competitiveness and neutrality of each country’s tax system, explains why certain tax codes stand out as good or bad models for reform, and measures the relative impact of EU tax policy on Member States. Explore the ETPS
Global Tax Deal | European Tax Maps | Digital Taxes | Carbon Taxes | Cost Recovery
Sean Bray, Director of European Policy Cecilia Perez Weigel, European Policy and Outreach Associate
The ETPS compares the competitiveness and neutrality of each country’s tax system. A competitive tax code keeps marginal tax rates low and a neutral tax code raises the most revenue with the fewest economic distortions. Together, these principles promote sustainable growth while raising sufficient revenue.
Permanent full expensing is an efficient and neutral tax policy that will allow markets to allocate private investment effectively while moving the economy towards the climate goals of the EU.
33 min read
While there are many factors that affect a country’s economic performance, taxes play an important role. A well-structured tax code is easy for taxpayers to comply with and can promote economic development while raising sufficient revenue for a government’s priorities.
92 min read
Since VAT revenues are such a significant and stable contributor to overall government revenues, EU policymakers should pay particular attention to how efficiently those revenues are raised.
22 min read
Research has shown that spikes in tax rates can act as barriers to upward mobility. High marginal tax rates might directly influence the decisions workers make about accepting a raise, working additional hours, or whether they might remain on government benefits.
8 min read
The EU’s recent VAT reform is an example of a win for governments, consumers, and companies. Charting a new path toward a more successful tax system.
4 min read
For many years, the UK has adopted a strikingly ungenerous approach to capital cost recovery – the ability of firms to write off investment against tax. This has coincided with consistently low levels of business investment. The super-deduction, which has temporarily made the UK tax system much more supportive of capital investment in plant and machinery is set to expire.
34 min read
The 2021 UK budget introduces a two-year super-deduction of 130 percent for plant and equipment and a delayed corporate tax rate increase from 19 percent to 25 percent in 2023. These policies have differential impacts on marginal effective tax rates for different assets, implying investment incentives will not be uniform.
15 min read
The consultation on the EU’s digital levy provides an opportunity for policymakers and taxpayers to reflect on the underlying issues of digital taxation and potential consequences from a digital levy. Unless the EU digital levy is designed with an OECD agreement in mind, it is likely to cause more uncertainty in cross-border tax policy.
12 min read
Our new guide identifies key areas for improvement in UK tax policy and provides recommendations that would support long-term growth without putting a dent in government revenues.
24 min read
Implemented in 1991, Sweden’s carbon tax was one of the first in the world. Since then, Sweden’s carbon emissions have been declining, while there has been steady economic growth. Today, Sweden levies the highest carbon tax rate in the world and its carbon tax revenues have been decreasing slightly over the last decade.
21 min read