Judgment of the Court (Grand Chamber) of 18 December 2007 (reference for a preliminary ruling from the Regeringsrätten (Sweden)) - Skatteverket v A
(Free movement of capital - Restriction on the movement of capital between the Member States and third countries - Tax on revenue from capital - Dividends received from a company established in an EEA Member State - Exemption - Dividends received from a company established in a third country - Exemption subject to the existence of a taxation convention providing for the exchange of information - Effectiveness of fiscal supervision)
Language of the case: Swedish
Referring court
Regeringsrätten
Parties to the main proceedings
Applicant: Skatteverket
Defendant: A
Re:
Reference for a preliminary ruling - Regeringsrätten - Interpretation of Articles 56 EC and 58 EC - Taxation, in the case of a taxable person resident in a Member State, in respect of dividends distributed by a company established in a non-member State - National legislation making the exemption of such dividends conditional upon the existence of a taxation convention with the non-member State that contains a provision on exchange of information
Operative part of the judgment
Articles 56 EC and 58 EC are to be interpreted as not precluding the legislation of a Member State which provides that exemption from income tax in respect of dividends distributed in the form of shares in a subsidiary may be granted only if the company making the distribution is established in a State within the EEA or a State with which a taxation convention providing for the exchange of information has been concluded by the Member State imposing the tax, where that exemption is subject to conditions compliance with which can be verified by the competent authorities of that Member State only by obtaining information from the State of establishment of the distributing company.
____________1 - OJ C 106, 30.04.2005.