For the first time since its accession in 2004, Malta assumed the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU on 1 January 2017. The Maltese Presidency’s tax agenda includes the continuation of work against tax fraud and tax avoidance. A commitment to deal with the first phase of the Commission’s CCCTB proposal with particular focus on the new elements of the relaunched initiative was also made.

Legislative work in the area of VAT is also a priority, according to the Maltese Presidency particularly in the areas of removing VAT obstacles to e-commerce and strengthening cooperation in the fight against VAT fraud. The work plan on tax matters for the Presidency also states that it will closely monitor work on the Financial Transactions Tax in the Member States involved in enhanced cooperation for this initiative.