Vestager: EU court defeat is ‘big loss for tax fairness’

European Union Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager on Tuesday said that a ruling from the EU’s top court against EU efforts to clamp down on sweetheart tax deals marks a “big loss for tax fairness.” 

The European Court of Justice on Tuesday ruled that the lower EU tribunal was wrong to back Brussels’ efforts to recoup up to €30 million in unpaid taxes from carmaker Fiat. 

The Commission had said that Luxembourg’s tax deal represented a form of illegal state aid. 

Vestager’s loss could spell trouble for future tax rulings from the EU’s top court. Judges are still to rule on high-profile cases including Ireland’s tax deal with Apple and an arrangement between the Netherlands and Starbucks. 

The case number is C-885/19 P Fiat Chrysler Finance.

Source: Politico