EU finance ministers, at the ECOFIN Council meeting in Luxembourg, agreed to adopt a new directive for tax dispute resolutions arising from the interpretation of tax treaties. The directive will also cover issues relating to double taxation where two or more countries claim the right to tax the same income or profits of a company or person.

According to the Commission, there are currently around 900 double taxation disputes in progress in the EU, estimated to be worth €10.5 billion. The new rules aim to meet the needs of businesses and citizens by removing double taxation according to the Commission.