Antigua and Barbuda has been taken off the EU’s Annex I (the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes) following a supplementary review by the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes.
As part of its ongoing efforts to promote global tax transparency and fair taxation, the EU today revised its list of non-cooperative jurisdictions. The removal of Antigua and Barbuda from Annex I came after the jurisdiction underwent an additional review regarding its compliance with information exchange on request. However, until the results of this review are finalized, Antigua and Barbuda will remain on Annex II, which tracks jurisdictions committed to addressing identified deficiencies.
Following this update, the number of jurisdictions on Annex I has been reduced to 11. These are: American Samoa, Anguilla, Fiji, Guam, Palau, Panama, the Russian Federation, Samoa, Trinidad & Tobago, the US Virgin Islands, and Vanuatu.
In addition, 9 jurisdictions are currently listed on Annex II due to commitments they have made to improve their tax governance. The EU will continue to monitor these commitments closely to ensure they are fully implemented.
The EU’s primary goal with this list is to encourage jurisdictions to adopt strong tax governance standards to combat tax fraud, evasion, and avoidance on a global scale. The listing process is guided by clear, objective, and internationally recognized criteria, focusing on tax transparency, fair taxation, and the implementation of minimum anti-BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting) standards. This framework facilitates dialogue, cooperation, and engagement between the EU and its international partners, driving significant progress in eliminating harmful tax practices and enhancing global tax transparency.
Through this process, the European Commission provides substantial support to third countries, helping them strengthen their defenses against tax abuse. It also offers technical assistance to those in need. Meanwhile, the Commission is collaborating with Member States to refine the EU listing criteria further, aiming for even greater transparency and fairer taxation. Efforts to enhance coordination on tax defensive measures against listed jurisdictions are also ongoing.
The EU list is reviewed and updated twice a year to account for changes in jurisdictions’ tax policies and cooperation levels, ensuring it remains current and accurate.