EU Tax Focus authors discuss current EU direct tax developments at inaugural forum

The panel discussions 

Structured around three panel discussions, the event demonstrated how the concise notes published in EU Tax Focus can serve as a starting point deeper on European and international tax developments. Panelists were invited to challenge assumptions, explore different perspectives and examine the practical implications of ongoing policy and legal changes. 

In the first session ‘The EU’s Role in Global Tax Governance: Competition or Responsibility?’, speakers explored questions surrounding international tax coordination, competitiveness, taxation of the digital economy and the role of the European Union in a multilateral context. The discussion highlighted both the opportunities and challenges facing the European Union as it seeks to balance global cooperation with the interests of its Member States and the European Union as a bloc. The moderator of the first panel was Carla Valério (IBFD EU Tax Law Study Group) and the debaters were Belema Obuoforibo (IBFD Knowledge Centre), Kasper Dziurdz (Maastricht University) and Madalina Cotrut (University of Economic Studies Bucharest). 

Attention then turned to the theme of simplification in the second panel, titled ‘Simplification and Decluttering of the EU Framework for Direct Taxation: Challenges and Opportunities’. Panelists examined the topic from several angles, including anti-tax avoidance rules, DAC framework, ESG framework, and the potential role of digitalization.  The moderator of this panel was Oana Popa (IBFD EU Tax Law Study Group) and the debaters were Francesco de Lillo (IBFD European Knowledge Group), Ivana van der Maas (Forvis Mazars), Katerina Ilieva (IBFD European Knowledge Group) and Ruxandra Vlasceanu (IBFD European Knowledge Group). 

The third session, ‘ECJ Direct Tax Case Law: Trends and Developments’, focused on developments in the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union. Speakers discussed emerging litigation trends, the continued evolution of long-standing directives through ECJ case law and the practical effects of recent judgments. The conversation offered insights into how EU direct tax jurisprudence continues to shape legislation, administration and practice across Member States. Our moderator and panel for this included Angelika Xygka (IBFD EU Tax Law Study Group), Filip Krajcuska (IBFD European Knowledge Group), Laura Pakarinen (IBFD European Knowledge Group), Madalina Cotrut (University of Economic Studies Bucharest), and Marnix Schellekens (IBFD European Knowledge Group)  

What distinguished the forum was not only the quality of the discussions, but also the diversity of viewpoints represented. Drawing together contributors from academia, tax practice and IBFD’s Knowledge Centre created a setting in which technical expertise could be combined with open debate and discussion. 

A warm get-together for our authors 

Since its launch in 2024, EU Tax Focus has grown into a platform for timely commentary on EU tax developments from experts across the international tax community. The Authors Forum illustrated how that community extends beyond the written page, creating opportunities for contributors to engage directly with peers and readers in-person. 

For prospective authors, the forum also offered a glimpse of what participation can bring. A contribution to EU Tax Focus is not only an opportunity to share expertise with an international readership but can also become the starting point for wider professional dialogue and collaboration.  

To read our note on the EU Tax Authors Forum, visit here: https://www.ibfd.org/sites/default/files/2026-04/etf-april-a-look-into-the-eu-tax-focus-authors-forum-2026.pdf and to learn more about our EU Tax Law Study Group and their activities, visit here: https://www.ibfd.org/eu-tax-law-study-group.