According to Jutta Urpilainen, the Tax Office estimates that it loses some 320 million euros a year due to transfer pricing abuses by corporate entities.
In her blog, Urpilainen laments what she sees as a lack of attention paid in Finland to last week’s G20 meeting and a lack of discussion regarding international corporate capital, profit and tax liabilities. In her view, shortcomings are not the result of illegal acts, but due to a lack of tax treaties and laws.
Urpilainen emphasises her opinion that a political approach to taxation issues will lead to effective measures such as the automatic exchange of information.
Finland should be a role model state
Urpilainen expressed her hope that Finland could serve as an international example of transparency. In her blog, she says that the new Minister of Development Sirpa Paatero should take the lead on the issue, especially with regards to producing a clear and retailed reporting model state-owned entities.
In addition, Urpilainen stresses the EU's responsibility in taxation matters and has an especially targeted message for Jean-Claude Juncker.
“All eyes are on the new Commission chair, who should take leadership on the issue,” she says, saying that the former prime minister of Luxembourg should represent the whole of the EU's intent to prevent tax evasion.
When she was Minister of Finance Urpilainen had also called for more transparency in corporate ownership, inter-state secrets and in the mysteries of banking relationships.
