The Platform Tax Transparency Act of 20 December 2022 (Federal Tax Gazette I, p. 2730) introduced a reporting obligation for operators of digital platforms and the cross-border automatic exchange of information between tax authorities of EU Member States. This circular assists in the proper implementation of the Platform Tax Transparency Act and addresses issues of practical relevance.

The Working Party on Tax Revenue Estimates is an advisory council at the Federal Ministry of Finance. It has existed since 1955. In addition to the Federal Ministry of Finance, which has lead responsibility, the council’s membership includes the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, five economic research institutes, the Federal Statistical Office, the Bundesbank, the German Council of …

Federal Minister of Finance Christian Lindner declared that, if necessary, Germany is ready to introduce a global minimum tax nationally, even in the absence of an EU-wide agreement. He emphasised that this is a question of tax fairness: multinational corporations too must pay their fair share to help finance public goods.

At the informal ECOFIN meeting in Prague, the finance ministers of France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Germany issued a joint statement on a global minimum effective level of taxation.

The G20 finance ministers and central bank governors came together in Washington, D.C. on 13 October 2021 as part of the annual meeting of the IMF and World Bank Group. At this fourth meeting under Italy’s G20 presidency, discussions focused on implementing the agreed reforms to the international tax system in a timely manner, ensuring a sustainable economic recovery and enhancing international …

At the Federal Ministry of Finance’s behest, the Federal Central Tax Office (Bundeszentralamt für Steuern) has purchased data for the purpose of detecting international tax crimes. This is the first time that the Federal Central Tax Office has independently purchased data that will have a material impact on the taxation process.

The German cabinet adopted the draft Defence against Tax Havens Act on 31 March 2021. With the new law, the German government is taking action against tax evasion, tax avoidance and unfair tax competition from tax havens.

The German cabinet adopted the draft Tobacco Duty Modernisation Act on 24 March 2021. With this legislation, the German government is adjusting tobacco duty rates and responding to changes in the tobacco market and in consumer behaviour. The new law also serves to improve public health and protect minors.

The federal cabinet adopted the draft Act Updating Corporate Tax Law (Gesetz zur Modernisierung des Körperschaftsteuerrechts) on 24 March 2021. With this bill, the German federal government is improving the tax framework especially for small and medium-sized partnerships and family businesses. In addition, it makes German corporate tax law better suited for international business in a globalised …

Germany’s federal cabinet adopted the draft Act Implementing the Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive (Gesetz zur Umsetzung der Anti-Steuervermeidungsrichtlinie) on 24 March 2021. In the bill, the German government proposes stricter rules to fight aggressive tax planning. The new rules aim to effectively counteract tax avoidance strategies used by multinational corporations.