We learned this in April of this year Poland blocks the EU’s compromise on the global minimum tax agreement. Let’s recall one word from this title: compromise. The French presidency of the European Council proposed changes to the text aimed at curbing Poland’s lone opposition and thus paving the way for a European, global fiscal revolution.[1] and so on In June you could read: Poland is ready to drop its objections to the global minimum tax agreement. Finally, the French could breathe a sigh of relief and complete their mandate in triumph. But it was not destined. Subheading of the June news: “Even if Warsaw no longer stands in the way of the OECD agreement, Budapest is now signaling that it has concerns.” Thus, since the middle of the year, Budapest has taken over the bar, and just a few days ago Mr. Orbán said: Hungary still opposes this global “job-killing” tax.

I thought it appropriate to recall this epic of the global minimum tax now that we are looking forward: “Does Austria let us into Schengen or not?”

These days, it was clear how we approach the matter from the position of inferiority, with remarks worthy of Oborskaya Square: “Sir, what else do the Austrians want from us, that nonsense – we gave them banks, energy, firewood, we go to them on skis, we pay for their accommodation and food… Well, you see, we will not be upset, you know. how is a Romanian there, he endures what he endures, and now he becomes a Pole, a Hungarian, we also leave skiing…then let them see…”

But what about being truly pragmatic and pursuing national interests, even in the spirit of European compromise? Put another way: fellow Austrian European, keep up your Schengen, anti-immigrant rhetoric if it helps (just as opposition to the “job-killing tax” helps). Of course, belonging to the Schengen zone would be useful to us – beyond our political rhetoric, we will win a day that is no longer lost at TIR customs, which leave us with ready-made spare parts. One day is not much, but … we still live our days as a “country of cheap production”.

So what do we want? Let’s get rid of this label that disrespects our investors. Do you complain that Austrian companies are treated badly here? Well done, Romanian companies are also complaining about the same thing!

Meanwhile, “starting in 2021, the Technical Support Instrument, which continues the Structural Reform Support Program of the European Commission, has approved the development of projects for ANAF. It started with the identification of best practices, improvement of tax legislation and capacity building in the field of transfer pricing in Romania, a project that takes place on the basis of a contract signed with Austrian Tax Administration“. (ANAF Report for 2021)

Let’s leave this throat with reforms, startups, etc. Pragmatically: we really want to get the best European practices in exchange. Let us also have a tax system (at least) like in Austria. In a world of global minimum tax (which is coming, no matter what “some” say), good governance will be critical to investor decision-making. Let them come to new investments with added value, raise the standard of living, maybe more immigrants will stay with us, the West has something to earn…

And let’s not forget the OECD, the club where global, regional, etc. (fiscal) revolutions are made and undone. Yes, we want to be in a good world. There is Poland, Hungary, of course, Austria… In the eyes of investors, the world is divided into two parts: OECD countries and the rest.

So, in turn, fellow European Austrians, help us with European practice and the OECD. Pragmatic. Read the whole article and comment on Contributors.ro