FASTER directive

Faster and Safer Tax Relief of Excess Withholding Taxes

By:
Johan Loo
FASTER updates
The current withholding tax (WHT) system in many EU Member States is complex and inconsistent, with significant differences in procedures and processing times. This complexity hinders cross-border investments and increases the risk of tax avoidance and fraud. According to the European Commission’s impact assessment, the overall cost of WHT procedures in the EU is estimated to be EUR 6.62 billion annually.

What is the FASTER directive?

The FASTER directive seeks to simplify WHT procedures for dividends and interest payments on publicly traded instruments to non-resident investors within the EU. Its goals are to encourage cross-border investments, enhance European capital markets, and provide better protection against tax fraud and abuse. 

Explaining FASTER & current updates

We are pleased to present two insightful videos featuring Monique Pisters, head of tax of Grant Thornton Netherlands, who will provide an in-depth look at the FASTER directive. We invite you to watch these videos to gain a deeper understanding of the FASTER directive and its significance. You can view the videos below.

In the first video, Monique Pisters explores the key measures of the FASTER directive, offering a comprehensive overview of its objectives. She will break down the essential components and explain how the directive works. 

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In the second video, Monique Pisters provides an update on the FASTER directive following its adoption by the European Council on May 14, 2024. She will discuss the key updates of the FASTER Directive. 

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Would you like to know more about the FASTER directive? 

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