EU to propose 3 percent digital tax on turnover of large firms

Large companies with significant digital revenues in the European Union could face a 3 percent tax on their turnover under a draft proposal from the European Commission seen by Reuters.

The proposal, expected to be adopted next week and still subject to changes, has been modified from an earlier draft which put the planned corporate rate between 1 and 5 percent.

The tax, if backed by EU states and lawmakers, would only apply to large firms with annual worldwide revenues above 750 million euros (662.13 million pounds) and annual “taxable” revenues above 50 million euros in the EU.

The tax is presented in the draft as a temporary measure that would only be implemented if no deal is found on a more comprehensive solution which would tax the digital profits of companies in the countries where they are made, rather than where the firms are headquartered as is the case now.