There is widespread coverage of EU Budget Commissioner Janusz Lewandowski’s plans to table proposals for a direct EU tax in September, which would mean member states handed over less money from national treasuries. He suggested that, “There are various options that would not affect the finance ministries and have a link to European policy like a financial transaction tax, CO2-emission ...

The front page of FT Deutschland reports that EU Budget Commissioner Janusz Lewandowski has said he will propose different options for a tax to directly fund the EU budget in September. Possible sources of revenue include a financial transaction tax and a levy on air travel.

Something that certain people would do well to remember: In general, the lesson from the above analysis is that tax burdens always tend to get shifted onto whoever has the fewest options—a result that is often at odds with the intention of lawmakers crafting tax policy.

Here's a fair summary from The Grauniad: Asset management firm Henderson and engineering group Charter have followed other companies in announcing plans to relocate to Ireland for tax reasons, rekindling fears of an exodus of British businesses. Others are considering their options, including Brit Insurance, which said this week it was "actively considering the issue of tax domicile". Henders...

The Conservatives now have two whole policies: giving massive inheritance tax cuts to millionaires; offering tiny tax advantages for marriage*. But what values link these two ideas together? For example, Liberal Democrat plans to close tax loopholes for the richest, tax pollution and tax multi-million mansions will fund tax cuts of £700 for everyone on low and middle incomes (so you can make...

The European Central Bank will proceed cautiously with a planned crackdown on abuse of its financial market liquidity-supporting options, but it has a range of options for action

The Conservatives now have two whole policies: giving massive inheritance tax cuts to millionaires; giving tiny tax bribes for marriage*. But what values link these two ideas together? For example, Liberal Democrat plans to close tax loopholes for the richest, tax pollution and tax multi-million mansions will fund tax cuts of £700 for everyone on low and middle incomes (so you can make your ...

Ahead of the chancellor's pre-budget report, four potential tax-cutting measures explained and costed

The European Commission listed yesterday (19 October) a number of options to fuel the EU's future budget, which is currently funded overwhelmingly by member states. An EU VAT, a tax on air transport or a share of new financial, corporate or energy taxes are among the possible options.

Brown's plan for tax havens Tax havens will be forced to submit themselves to international scrutiny under plans to tackle their culture of secrecy being proposed by Gordon Brown. Despite a rearguard action by tax havens, the prime minister intends next week's G20 summit to discuss plans for a multilateral exchange of information on "offshore" accounts. Brown will also propose using the ...