EBA took part in the “Honest Conversation PRO Taxes”

16/ 09/ 2025

The European Business Association participated in the event “Honest Conversation PRO Taxes: Business and Public Expectations from Tax Reform”, dedicated to issues of interaction between business and the tax authorities. During the event, the ЕВА experts presented the results of the Tax Index 2024, which stood at 2.64 out of a possible 5 points. The Index is based on a survey of ЕВА member companies regarding their satisfaction with the work of the State Tax Service and reflects key components: the level of fiscal pressure, the quality of tax services, the complexity of tax administration, and the quality of tax legislation. Within the first panel, participants discussed: the main challenges in communication between business and the tax service; the issue of opening up data by the State Tax Service; implementation of the National Revenue Strategy in terms of anti-corruption measures; upcoming legislative changes; the “White Business Club” initiative; the problem of blocked tax invoices. Speakers agreed that effective cooperation is only possible if the tax authorities operate transparently and institutionalised formats of dialogue with business are established. The second panel focused on the issue of tackling the shadow economy. In particular, the discussion centred on the most high-risk areas of taxation that remain “in the shadow”, excise goods markets, electronics trade, security services, and retail. Participants concluded that in order to reduce the scale of shadow practices, it is necessary to: 1) create more flexible regulatory conditions; 2) ensure the digitalisation of tax administration processes; 3) implement joint pilot projects with business, which can support the tax service in testing new systems and tools. Overall, participants emphasised the importance of systematic dialogue between the state and business, the development of a predictable regulatory policy, and ensuring a level playing field for all market participants. The European Business Association will continue to work to ensure that business interests are duly taken into account in the formation of tax policy and the implementation of reforms.

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The European Business Association participated in the event “Honest Conversation PRO Taxes: Business and Public Expectations from Tax Reform”, dedicated to issues of interaction between business and the tax authorities.

During the event, the ЕВА experts presented the results of the Tax Index 2024, which stood at 2.64 out of a possible 5 points. The Index is based on a survey of ЕВА member companies regarding their satisfaction with the work of the State Tax Service and reflects key components: the level of fiscal pressure, the quality of tax services, the complexity of tax administration, and the quality of tax legislation.

Within the first panel, participants discussed:

the main challenges in communication between business and the tax service;
the issue of opening up data by the State Tax Service;
implementation of the National Revenue Strategy in terms of anti-corruption measures;
upcoming legislative changes;
the “White Business Club” initiative;
the problem of blocked tax invoices.

Speakers agreed that effective cooperation is only possible if the tax authorities operate transparently and institutionalised formats of dialogue with business are established.

The second panel focused on the issue of tackling the shadow economy. In particular, the discussion centred on the most high-risk areas of taxation that remain “in the shadow”, excise goods markets, electronics trade, security services, and retail. Participants concluded that in order to reduce the scale of shadow practices, it is necessary to: 1) create more flexible regulatory conditions; 2) ensure the digitalisation of tax administration processes; 3) implement joint pilot projects with business, which can support the tax service in testing new systems and tools.

Overall, participants emphasised the importance of systematic dialogue between the state and business, the development of a predictable regulatory policy, and ensuring a level playing field for all market participants.

The European Business Association will continue to work to ensure that business interests are duly taken into account in the formation of tax policy and the implementation of reforms.