This feed is published daily with selected new or updated
content from across the Lowtax Network. For a list of Lowtax Network
sites, many of which feature daily news, see
below.
Providing essential tax news and information
for globally mobile artists, contractors, entrepreneurs, professionals,
small businesses, sportspersons and entertainers.
Lowtax Portal:
'Low-tax' business and investment in the top 50 jurisdictions covered in
exceptional detail.
Tax News: Global
tax news, continuously updated through the day.
Investors Offshore:
The independent offshore and alternative investment guide for expatriates
and the globally aware investor.
Law & Tax
News: Daily news and background data on tax and legal developments
for international business.
Offshore-e-com:
A topical guide to offshore e-commerce focused on tax and regulation.
Lowtax Library:
One of the web's largest and most authoritative business and investment
information sources.
US Tax Network:
The resource for free online US taxation information, covering: corporate
tax, individual tax, international tax, expatriates, sales and e-commerce
tax, investment tax.
NEW! Personal
Business Tax Guide: Providing essential tax news and information
on business for contractors, entrepreneurs, professionals, small businesses,
artists, sportspersons and entertainers.
Gap Between Domestic And Cross-Border E-Commerce Grows Wider, Says EU Report,
by Amanda Banks, for LawAndTax-News.com, London
Thursday, June 26, 2008
EU Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva late last week announced the results of a new EU-wide survey on e-commerce and cross border trade.
The figures show that even though e-commerce is taking off at national level,
cross-border e-commerce is failing to keep pace.
From 2006 to 2008, the share of all EU consumers that have bought at least
one item over the internet has increased significantly (from 27% to 33%) whilst
cross border e-commerce is stable (6% to 7%).
The pattern is similar for those with internet access at home - 56% of consumers
with internet at home have made a purchase (in any country including their own)
by e-commerce compared to 50% in 2006, while only 13% (of those with internet
access at home) made a cross-border e-commerce purchase, compared to 12% in 2006.
“These figures underline how much work we still have to do to boost confidence
in the online internal market" commented Commissioner Kuneva, going on to add that:
"Consumers and retailers are beginning to embrace e-commerce at national
level but internal market barriers still persist online. The potential of the
online internal market to deliver greater choice and lower price to consumers
and new markets for retailers is considerable. We need to redouble our efforts
to tackle the remaining borders."
Amongst retailers, the cross-border potential of e-commerce seems not to have
been fulfilled: 51% of EU27 retailers sell via the internet, but only 17% of
e-commerce revenue of those who sell cross-border stems from cross-border sales
– compared to 16% in 2006.
There appears to be a lack of confidence in cross-border shopping on both sides
of the market, although consumer confidence seems to be growing: while 37%
of consumers said they would be more confident making online purchases from
sellers/providers located in their own country, 57% said they are equally or
even more confident making purchases online from sellers in another EU country.
This figure is up by 8% compared to the 2006 survey.
The report published on Friday was compiled from two Eurobarometer surveys on Businesses
and Consumer attitudes to cross border trade.
Data gathering was carried out in February – March 2008 amongst more
than 26,000 consumers and 7,200 businesses in the 27 EU countries and Norway.
Key Figures from the survey showed that:
In 2006 27% of European consumers had made a purchase over the internet
- 33% had done so in 2008.
In 2006 6% had made a cross border purchase over the internet – this
figure is stable, as 7% had done so in 2007.
13% of consumers with internet access had traded cross border via the internet,
compared to only 7% in the general population. The corresponding figure for
2006 was 12% of those with internet access, as opposed to 6% of those in the
general population.
37% of respondents that said they would be more confident making online
purchases from sellers/providers located in their own country. This figure
is down 8% since the 2006 survey.
57% said they are equally or even more confident making purchases online
from sellers in another EU country.
This figure is up by 8% compared to the 2006 survey.
51% of EU27 retailers sell via the internet – this figure is however
down from 2006 where 57% of retailers were reported to use e-commerce.
Retailers estimate that 17% of their e-commerce revenue stems from cross
border sales – the corresponding figure for 2006 was 16%.
One of the web's largest and
most authoritative business and investment information sources. Alongside
topical, daily news on worldwide
tax developments, you can receive weekly newswires or
access up-to-date intelligence
reports on a range of legal, tax and investment subjects.
Our 16 constantly updated
intelligence reports cover every important aspect of 'offshore' and international
tax-planning in depth, including banking secrecy, the EU's savings tax
directive, offshore funds, e-commerce, offshore gaming and transfer pricing.
Reports are available for immediate downloading or as subscription
services with news pages.
Advertising & Marketing
With over 50,000 qualified readers every month our web-sites
offer a number of cost effective, targeted advertising,
sponsorship and marketing opportunities:
Display advertising - from 'skyscrapers' to 'buttons'
Content/article submission and sponsorship
Opt-in email marketing
On-line Services Directory listings
Could your corporate web-site or newsletter benefit
from incorporating regularly updated news and content
tailored to serve your clients' interests? We can provide
a variety of maintenance-free news and content solutions
that can be seamlessly integrated and dynamically delivered:
Click here for a brief introduction
to RSS and instructions on how to get the Tax-News feed.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: THE LOWTAX NETWORK has
taken reasonable care in sourcing and presenting the information contained on
this site, but accepts no responsibility for any financial or other loss or damage
that may result from its use. In particular, users of the site are advised to
take appropriate professional advice before committing themselves to involvement
in offshore jurisdictions, offshore trusts or offshore investments. All materials
on this site copyright THE LOWTAX NETWORK 1999 to 2010. Contact
us for further information.
TAX-NEWS.COM
Free Tax-News Feed