Economic recovery from the global financial crisis of 2007–2008 has been sketchy, with some areas within the European Union (EU) still trapped in seemingly irremediable industrial stagnation and job loss. EU institutions are called upon to provide concrete amelioration for these situations, through the design and implementation of effective tax policies in accordance with the fundamental principles of EU law. In this original, innovative book, the author presents a new and expanded view of how special tax zones (STZs) – areas of land where territorial advantages are granted on direct and/or indirect taxation – can deliver growth and mitigate economic and social emergency. Recognizing that, although a number of STZs within the EU have been established, there is still no systematic framework for them in the EU legal system, the author works out a comprehensive theory for STZs in the field of European tax law, dealing incisively with the interface of STZs with such essential legal and tax aspects as the following: customs union provisions; benefits on direct and indirect taxation; State-aid rules; free movement of persons; harmful tax competition; and role of EU social cohesion policies and their implementation. Furthermore, the author develops a new model of STZs for the most disadvantaged areas of the EU – the so-called Social Cohesion Zone – to respond decisively to issues of compatibility with such critical variables of EU law as those dealing with the outer limits set by State-aid rules and fundamental freedoms, clearly demonstrating the model’s practical viability. Detailed reviews of Member States’ practice in existing STZs and their tax regimes are thoroughly described so different variables can be compared. As a comprehensive description of the state of knowledge about STZs, including the relevant background and their current place in EU law, this book has no precedents and no peers. It allows practitioners, policymakers, and academics in tax law to fully understand the relationship between EU law, national legislation, and STZs, focusing on the possibility of reconciling the tax sovereignty of Member States with a supporting and coordinating role of the EU institutions. It will be warmly welcomed by the tax law community.

Analysis by tax scholars on the relations between European law and third countries in the field of direct taxation. It includes national reports from over 30 EU Member States and third countries, which were presented at a conference held at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration on 13-15 October 2006. Among the areas addressed by this work are the following: The direct impact of article 56 EC Treaty (right of establishment) in the relations with third states; The indirect impact of the fundamental freedoms in the relations with third states; Fundamental freedoms in relation to EEA States under the EEA Agreement; Agreements between Switzerland and the European Union; The relations with other third states in the field of direct taxes; The impact of secondary EC law on the relations with third states; Article 307 EC Treaty (free movement of capital); and The treaty-making power of the European Union in the relations with third states.

Time is a crucial dimension in the application of any law. In tax law, however, where an environment characterized by rapid change on the national, European, and international levels complicates the provision of accurate legal advice, timing is particularly sensitive. This book is the first to analyse the relationship between time and three key areas of tax: treaties, EU law, and constitutional law issues, such as legal certainty and individual rights. Among the numerous timing issues arising out of applying tax rules, the book addresses the following: – time limits within which relief must be requested; – statutes of limitation for claiming a tax refund; – transitional issues relating to changes in tax treaties; – attribution of profits and expenses to a moving or closed-down business; – effect of tax-related CJEU decisions and EU directives; – compliance of exit tax regimes with free movement; – limits of retroactivity under principles protected by the EU Charter and the ECHR; and – conflict between efficiency of taxation and individual rights. Derived from a recent conference organized by the prestigious ATOZ Chair for European and International Taxation at the University of Luxembourg, the book brings together contributions from leading tax experts from various areas of tax practice, academia, and the judiciary. Among other issues, the book notably expands on how economic theory can inform a constitutional analysis of the timing of taxation. There is no other work that concentrates so usefully on the difficulties associated with applying tax rules – whether arising from treaties, jurisprudence, or policy – to changing circumstances over time. This book will quickly prove itself to be an indispensable resource for European tax lawyers, policymakers, company counsels, and academics.

Resumen del editor: "The increasing globalization and the restructuring of the European legal framework by the Treaty of Lisbon are important factors to suggest that the traditional separation of spheres between taxation and human rights should be revisited. This book examines the issues surrounding the impact of the Lisbon Treaty on the guarantee and enforcement of human rights in the area of EU (tax) law and explores the possible development and potential impact of human rights in the field of taxation in this age of global law."

Tax competition in the form of harmful tax practices can distort trade and investment patterns, erode national tax bases and shift part of the tax burden onto less mobile tax bases. The Report emphasises that governments must intensify their cooperative actions to curb harmful tax practices.

Despite the conclusion of tax treaties and despite the enactment of several directives, double taxation continues to occur within the EU, causing severe obstacles for cross-border trade, for the provision of services and capital, and for the free movement of persons. This book collects the expert analysis and recommendations on the following issues: the reasons for the existence (and persistence) of juridical and economic double taxation; double burdens in criminal law; constitutional limits for double taxation; the Lisbon Treaty's abolition of Article 293 EC, which had required Member States to conclude tax treaties in order to abolish double taxation; whether double taxation can be avoided by the application of the four freedoms; prospects for an EU-wide multilateral tax treaty; the proposed Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base; and use of arbitration clauses in tax treaties.