Last week, the OECD published its latest Secretary-General Tax Report to G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, outlining progress on international tax co-operation and setting priorities under the United States G20 Presidency, ahead of the April 2026 meeting in Washington, D.C. The repor
BRUSSELS | 20 APRIL 2026
OECD Outlines Progress on Global Tax Priorities to G20 Finance Ministers
Last week, the OECD published its latest Secretary-General Tax Report to G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, outlining progress on international tax co-operation and setting priorities under the United States G20 Presidency, ahead of the April 2026 meeting in Washington, D.C. The report highlights continued OECD support for core G20 objectives, notably the implementation of the BEPS minimum standards, advancement of the global minimum tax framework, and strengthening of tax transparency initiatives. The report notes that the OECD’s work remains focused on maintaining a stable and predictable international tax environment, with ongoing efforts to support the implementation of the Global Minimum Tax, including the January 2026 “Side-by-Side” package, and further simplification and administrative guidance. Progress in BEPS implementation is also emphasised, with the Inclusive Framework continuing to expand and underpin co-ordinated international action to address base erosion and profit shifting. Tax transparency continues to be a central pillar of OECD activity, with developments including a new framework for the automatic exchange of information on real estate and ongoing work to address risks related to crypto-assets. These initiatives build on established transparency standards and are intended to strengthen revenue collection and reduce illicit financial flows. The report further outlines broader OECD workstreams supporting growth-oriented tax policy, including analysis of the interaction between tax, investment and labour markets, as well as initiatives on tax certainty, administrative modernisation and dispute resolution. In parallel, capacity-building efforts for developing countries remain a priority, with programmes aimed at strengthening domestic resource mobilisation and supporting participation in international tax frameworks. Looking ahead, the OECD identifies key areas for further work in 2026, including continued support for global minimum tax implementation, renewed dialogue on the taxation of the digitalised economy, expansion of transparency frameworks, and further efforts to simplify tax rules and improve certainty.
Commission Publishes Study on Wealth Tax in the EU
The European Commission has published a study examining the role and effectiveness of wealth-related taxes in the EU, including net wealth taxes, capital gains taxes, inheritance and gift taxes, and exit taxes. The report highlights growing concern over wealth inequality, noting that private wealth has increased substantially over recent decades and become more concentrated among higher-income households, while taxes on wealth and transfers have generally declined. The analysis finds that net wealth taxes remain rare and effective wealth taxes depend heavily on design and administrative capacity. Effective regimes tend to feature high thresholds, broad tax bases and strong enforcement, whereas narrow bases and extensive exemptions have led to low revenues and reduced political support in some countries. Recurrent taxation of unrealised gains is not widely applied due to valuation and liquidity challenges, while realised capital gains taxes are common but often weakened by exemptions that limit their contribution to revenue and progressivity. Inheritance and gift taxes are identified as important tools for addressing intergenerational wealth transfers, which are becoming more significant and concentrated. However, their impact is frequently reduced by generous reliefs and exemptions. Exit taxes, designed to safeguard domestic tax bases when assets or taxpayers relocate, vary across Member States and depend on effective valuation and international coordination to function properly. Overall, the report finds that wealth-related taxes currently generate limited revenue in most Member States, largely due to policy design choices and institutional constraints. It concludes that such taxes can contribute to fairness and revenue mobilisation if supported by coherent design, strong administrative systems and international cooperation, while noting that no single approach is suitable for all Member States.
OECD to Publish 2026 Taxing Wages Report
The OECD will publish Taxing Wages 2026 this week, its annual flagship report on the taxation of labour income, this week. The report provides comparative data across OECD countries on the taxation of wages and salaries over the period 2000–2025, examining personal income taxes paid by employees, social security and payroll tax contributions made by both employees and employers, and cash benefits received by in-work households. These elements are analysed as key determinants influencing employment decisions by individuals and hiring considerations by businesses. Taxing Wages 2026 includes cross-country comparisons of labour costs and the combined tax and benefit position for eight model household types, differentiated by income level and composition, including single individuals, single parents, and one- and two-earner households with and without children The 2026 edition contains a Special Feature focusing on the statutory progressivity of labour taxation across OECD countries. This analysis considers how effective tax rates vary across income levels and household types, providing insight into the distributional design of labour tax systems.
FISC Reviews 28th Tax Regime Study & Amendments on Report on EU Financial Sector Tax Framework
On 16 April 2026, the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Tax Matters met in Brussels to examine the feasibility of a 28th tax regime, review developments in tobacco excise taxation, and consider amendments to the draft report on a coherent tax framework for the EU’s financial sector. The meeting opened with a workshop presenting a study on the feasibility of a 28th tax regime, an optional, targeted framework designed to simplify cross-border activity and reduce tax fragmentation. Key elements discussed included a common corporate tax base, withholding tax simplification, cross-border loss relief, R&D incentives and the taxation of employee share-based remuneration. A modular approach was emphasised, allowing elements of the regime to be introduced progressively, subject to legal and political constraints. A second workshop addressed excise duties on tobacco products, highlighting persistent disparities in tax levels and prices across Member States, as well as challenges linked to emerging nicotine products. The study indicated that higher minimum excise rates could lead to increased prices, reduced consumption, higher revenues and improved public health outcomes. FISC then considered the 224 amendments tabled to the draft report on a coherent tax framework for the EU’s financial sector (rapporteur: Matthias Ecke, S&D). The amendments reflect divergent views on the VAT exemption for financial services, with some emphasising its role in creating distortions and a policy gap, and others highlighting its importance for administrative simplicity and competitiveness. Broader differences also emerged on the extent and implications of national sector-specific taxes, including financial transaction taxes and bank levies, with contrasting perspectives on EU-level coordination versus Member State discretion. The debate further addressed the potential role of an EU-wide Financial Transaction Tax, including its possible contribution to EU revenues and its impact on market functioning. The amendments will serve as the basis for compromise negotiations ahead of a vote in the ECON Committee in May 2026.
Parliament Sets Out Position on 2028-2034 EU MFF Budget
The European Parliament’s Budgets Committee has adopted its negotiating position on the EU’s 2028–2034 multiannual financial framework, proposing a total budget of 1.27% of EU gross national income, representing an approximate 10% increase compared to the European Commission’s July 2025 proposal. The position also calls for the costs of servicing NextGenerationEU debt (estimated at 0.11% of gross national income) to be excluded from the MFF ceilings. The Committee considers this level of funding to be the minimum necessary to address current geopolitical, economic and environmental challenges, while maintaining the EU budget’s role as an investment instrument supporting businesses, regions and citizens. MEPs support increased funding for new priorities such as defence, competitiveness, innovation and the green and digital transitions, while emphasising the need to preserve established policies through distinct budget allocations. The proposal rejects elements of the Commission’s approach perceived as leading to a “renationalisation” of EU spending, including the concept of a single national plan per Member State, citing concerns over reduced transparency, accountability and potential fragmentation of EU policies. On the revenue side, the Parliament reiterated support for the introduction of new “own resources” to finance the EU budget and repay joint borrowing under NextGenerationEU, endorsing the Commission’s “basket approach” and targeting approximately €60 billion annually. Suggested revenue sources include a digital services levy, an online gambling levy, an expanded Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and taxation of crypto-asset capital gains. The Committee further stresses that flexibility mechanisms within the budget must not undermine democratic oversight or public trust, and reiterates that compliance with rule of law principles should remain a condition for access to EU funding. The Parliament is expected to confirm this position in plenary, after which negotiations with the Council can commence once Member States agree a common position on the next MFF.
The selection of the remitted material has been prepared by: Dr. Aleksandar Ivanovski & Brodie McIntosh
Fonte: CFE Tax Advisers Europe. Pubblicazione originale del 2026-04-20.