Or her tax trial

The principle of non-discrimination plays a vital role in international and European tax law. This dissertation analyses the interpretation given to that principle in tax treaty practice and in the direct tax case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) on the fundamental freedoms. The objective of this analysis is twofold: to give a clear and thorough overview of both standards and to determine whether they share a common, underlying principle of non-discrimination. In order to achieve these objectives, a comprehensive selection of case law is discussed from the perspective of the two constitutive elements of discrimination, comparability and the existence of different treatment. Moreover, attention is drawn to the question whether a domestic measure that is found to be discriminatory may nevertheless be justified on the basis of reasons of public interest. Finally, the possible interplay between both standards is addressed.

Offering a comprehensive exploration of EU taxation law, this engaging Research Handbook investigates the associated legal principles in the context of both direct and indirect taxation. The important issues and debates arising from these general principles are expertly unpicked, with leading scholars examining the status quo as well as setting out a clear agenda for future research.

This book provides a comprehensive and updated legal analysis of the equality principle in EU law. To this end, it argues for a broad definition of the principle, which includes not only its inter-individual dimension, but also the equality of the Member States before the EU Treaties. The book presents a collection of high-quality academic and expert contributions, which, in light of the most recent developments in implementing the post-Lisbon legal framework, reflect the current interpretation of the equality principle, examining its performance in practice with a view to suggesting possible solutions in order to overcome recurring problems. To this end the volume is divided into three Parts, the first of which addresses a peculiar aspect of the EU equality that is mostly overlooked in the investigations devoted to this topic, namely, equality among States. Part II shifts to the inter-individual dimension of equality and explores some major developments contributing to (re)shaping the global framework of EU anti-discrimination law, while Part III undertakes a more practical investigation devoted to the substantive strands of that area of EU law.

This book provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of the main topics of taxation in European law. The sequence of arguments follows an institutional logic, respecting the academic tradition of tax law. It first outlines the general framework of EU institutions, with a particular focus on the set of regulations regarding taxation with reference to the stage of formation of EU rules and the potential contrast with national legal systems. It then explores the general principles emerging from the European treaties that typically involve the taxation system, and examines in detail the fiscal importance of European freedoms, the principle of tax non-discrimination, the balance between national interest and EU values, tax harmonization, state aids and other general principles applicable in tax jurisdiction. Lastly, it offers an overall assessment of the development of the European integration process, with particular regard to the nexus between taxation power and sovereignty, in order to highlight the possible and desirable next stages of the evolution of “European tax law”.

In any democratically constituted regime, the real value of the principle of equality can be measured in a very revealing way: by evaluating the consistency and impartiality of tax legislation and its judicial review. Such an evaluation, using a comparative approach to applicable law in several European jurisdictions, is essentially what this book provides. The six authors, a supreme court justice, a professional tax consultant, a tax inspector, and three tax law academics, treat such crucial issues as the following: national variations in the extent of judicial power to review tax legislation; discriminatory tax legislation arising as a response to interest group pressures; the European Convention on Human Rights as the basis for the development of a fully operational principle of equality; the degree of appreciation that should be accorded the democratically legitimized legislature by the judiciary; the obligation to provide actual redress to victims of discrimination; and, the effect of the principle of freedom of establishment on the rules of international tax law. The authors refer throughout to all relevant sources of applicable law, including national constitutions, legislation, and case law; the EC Treaty and the European Convention on Human Rights; and the case law of the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights. Clearly a valuable work for tax practitioners and policymakers, Legal Protection against Discriminatory Tax Legislation will also be appreciated by professionals and officials concerned with the complex day-to-day ramifications of the principles of equality and non-discrimination in European society.