Member News

IPTI | Update on Property Tax Issues: October 2020

The EACC, in partnership with the International Property Tax Institute (IPTI), wants to keep its members up to date with the latest developments in property taxes in the USA and Europe. IPTI has put together a selection of brief reports from articles contained in IPTI Xtracts which can be found on its website (www.ipti.org). USA New York: NYC’s Revenue Loss Less Than Feared as Property Taxes Gain New York City’s tax revenue from March through August fell by $1.2 billion, or 3.5%,...

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Chapter News

IMF | A Leap Forward on Cross-Border Payments

When paying for coffee, we swipe, tap, wave, and soon may wink—a quick and painless exchange of coffee for money. But when paying for imports or sending remittances, we often fill-out forms, wait for days, and pay—too much. Progress to improve cross-border payments has been slow, but is just about to take off. That is how history evolves—one small step at a time, until it suddenly leaps forward. The confluence of new technologies and renewed determination among policymakers are making significant...

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Chapter News

European Council conclusions on COVID-19 and climate change, 15 October 2020

I. COVID-19 1. The European Council assessed the current epidemiological situation, which is unprecedented and gives rise to very serious concern. 2. It welcomed the progress achieved so far on overall coordination at EU level against COVID‑19, including the recommendation on a coordinated approach to the restriction of free movement. It calls on the Council, the Commission and the Member States to continue the overall coordination effort based on the best available science, notably regarding quarantine regulations, cross-border contact tracing, testing...

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Brexit News, Chapter News

Remarks by President Charles Michel following the first working session of the European Council

Statements and remarks by President Charles Michel | 15 October 2020 First of all I would like to apologise for the absence of the President of the European Commission. At the beginning of the meeting she was informed that a person considered a ‘close contact’ had tested positive. She herself tested negative today. Nevertheless, in accordance with the national rules, she has decided to self-isolate. We have had the opportunity today to hold a debate as planned on the future relationship...

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Member News

Houthoff | Upcoming FDI screening mechanism in the Netherlands applies to all acquiring parties

Earlier this year, we published a news update that discussed the Minister of Economic Affairs' plans to implement a new ex-ante screening mechanism for investments in companies involved in vital processes or working with sensitive technologies in the Netherlands. On 8 September 2020, the bill setting up this ex-ante screening mechanism, the Economy and National Security Bill (the "ENSB"), was published for consultation. In this update, we provide an overview of the new rules, which are expected to enter into force in early 2021. The timing...

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Member News

Vulcan Insight | Disappointment over tax levy talks foreshadows national digital taxes

On Wednesday, the G20 Finance Ministers agreed to prolonged talks within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to develop an international digital tax on large digital companies until the summer of 2021 – dashing hopes of an agreement by the end of the year. The lack of progress from the 140 OECD countries, including European states, the U.S. and China was met with frustration by some. France’s Digital Minister Cedric O, who has long since publicly supported unilateral...

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COVID-19 News, Member News

EIB | A new fund for a new urban future

The Gap Fund aims to back the climate-smart development that will also help cities chart a sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic | 2020 has cast in sharp relief three overlapping global crises. A pandemic devastates lives and health systems. A weakening global economy threatens to push 175 million people into poverty and 73 million more into extreme poverty. All the while, climate change stretches the limits of our ecosystems, economies, and communities. Cities bear the brunt of all three. Major population...

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Brexit News, Member News

Osborne Clarke | Final push on Brexit!

Not everyone realizes that, in a formal sense, Brexit has actually already happened – with effect from midnight (European time) on 31 January 2020 the UK ceased to be a member of the European Union. However you will be forgiven for not noticing much difference because with immediate effect the UK entered into the transition period which runs until 11 pm UK time on 31 December 2020. The UK and EU continue to negotiate an agreement on the future...

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Member News

Stibbe | EU merger control: Dutch clause to catch future killer acquisitions

Competition Commissioner Vestager presented a sneak peak of her plans for the future of EU merger control on the 30th anniversary of the EU Merger Regulation. The proposed plans include a simplification of the notification procedure and a new approach towards the system of referral to ensure that significant transactions, particularly in the digital and pharmaceutical industries, no longer escape Commission scrutiny. The Commission calls upon national competition authorities to refer transactions to it that remain below notification thresholds, but potentially have...

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Member News

Portolano Cavallo | Schrems II: The future of international transfers

This article is part of Portolano’s quarterly “INFORM@ Corporate” Newsletter. Click here to subscribe. | 1. The Schrems II judgment in a nutshell On July 16, 2020 the Court of Justice of the European Union (“CJEU” or the “Court”) upheld a cornerstone judgment in the Data Protection Commissioner v. Facebook Ireland Limited, Maximilian Schrems case (Case C-311/18—or the “Schrems II judgment”), concerning data transfers under EU Regulation 679/2016 (“GDPR”) and in particular transfers from Europe to the United States. In the judgment, the Court struck...

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