We are happy to inform you, not only on the latest activities of the ETC, but also on some activities of the EUCOTAX Network and on some international activities of the tax departments of both K.U. Leuven and Tilburg University.

Best regards,

Prof. Luc De Broe, Prof. Peter Essers, Prof. Eric Kemmeren, and Prof. Frans Vanistendael

This newsletter contains the following subjects:  

  Admission ETC
  ETC Thesis Subjects
  The European and International Tax Moot Court Competition
  EUCOTAX Wintercourse — Barcelona 2009
  European Pension Debate
  Study trip to Russia

At the moment, students who are applying for the college year 2009/2010 are being informed on their admission. If you are interested in applying for next year’s program, please check www.europeantaxcollege.com for further information and the application form or contact Nicole Laclé at N.I.Lacle@uvt.nl. Application is still open for students who do not need a visa.

The last lecture for the Special Subject Course Transfer Pricing was delivered in March. The students are now writing their Master Thesis. The following topics are subject to research: transfer pricing, partnerships, exchange of information among tax authorities, the attribution of profits to a PE, the interpretation and application of "beneficial ownership" in international and European taxation, and the CCCTB.

In the previous newsletter, it was reported that the Moot Court competition was pending. Now, we are very pleased to inform you that Georgetown University (USA) won first prize, that K.U. Leuven (BE) finished second and Tilburg University (NL) third. For further information, please contact Ingrid Matthys at ingrid.matthys@law.kuleuven.be

This year’s EUCOTAX Wintercourse, again sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers and the European Commission (Eramsus Programme), took place from the 14 April to the 23 April in Barcelona; Spain. The general theme was: The Limits to Tax Planning, Minimizing Taxes and Corporate Social Responsibility. Students from the countries participating in this project, namely United States of America, Sweden, Hungary, Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy and the Netherlands, produced per sub theme a comparative paper and presentation. The sub themes were: general anti-avoidance rules and doctrines, anti-base erosion rules, treaty shopping, anti-deferral rules, implementation of EC Directives’ anti-avoidance rules, and disclosure rules. See further: http://rechten.uvt.nl/wintercourse/. At seminars in the context of the general theme, keynote speeches were delivered by Prof. Ramón Tamames and Mr. Alejandro Abbelán who is Counselor in the Spanish Permanent Representation to the Council of Europe. Both speakers also addressed the current economic crises. Prof. Tamames focused on the underlying causes and possible solutions from a global perspective, whereas Mr. Abellán discussed the agenda of the coming-up EU presidency of Spain. Furthermore, PricewaterhouseCoopers organized an exclusive event for students and staff at which not only practical issues relating to the general theme were discussed, but also other insights were exchanged at a fine dinner. If you have any questions, please, contact Nicole Laclé at n.i.lacle@uvt.nl

On 3 April 2009, the CompetenceCentre for Pension Research of Tilburg University organized the European Pension Debate 2009. At this event, Ernst & Young presented a new study: "Pan-European Pension Funds in a Future World". In this study, the key factors for the organization of a pan-European pension fund - the legal framework, solvency rules, investment management principles, required information, ring-fencing, outsourcing and taxation - are compared. 160 participants voted on the best location for a pension fund. The outcome depends on whether the question is answered from a participant’s point of view or from a sponsor's point of view. The most challenging aspect for setting up an IORP is to reach an agreement with trade unions and employees. Conclusion of the day: there is no "one size fits all" solution. For the presentations and the voting results of the European Pension Debate 2009, please check www.uvt.nl/ccp/epd

From 4 April 2009 to 12 April 2009 a successful study trip was made by students from Tilburg University to St. Petersburg and Moscow. In St. Petersburg the group was warmly received by Prof. Yury Mishalchenko of the Saint-Petersburg State University of Economics and Finance.