Das soziale Europa im Räderwerk des Steuerwettbewerbs

As a result of the current financial, debt and Eurozone crisis and in reaction to prominent tax scandals, tax cooperation is high on the European and global political agenda. This article argues that the current attempts at curtailing harmful tax competition are insufficient and that more fundamental reform is needed. The article first shows how tax competition works and how it has contributed to the increase in inequality across Europe. Moreover, it discusses the measures which have been taken so far to regulate tax competition. While there is progress in terms of administrative cooperation and transparency, generalized tax competition – in particular in the area of corporate business taxation – has not been addressed. Finally, the author proposes the introduction of a common consolidated corporate tax base (CCCTB) with minimum tax rates. Only by means of a common European tax policy will member states be able to regain their de facto tax sovereignty, which they have lost to economic integration, to create the preconditions for a social Europe.