Tax policies need to be at the discretion of EU Member States and no one-size-fits-all policy may properly ensure gender equality as it needs to suit a country’s social and family structures, Maltese MEP Alfred Sant told the European in an explanation of vote on the report  ‘Gender equality and taxation policies in the EU’.

Sant voted in favour of the report promoting gender equality  but expressed his reservations on the fact that the same report suggests certain measures impinging upon the Member States’ sovereignty on taxation.

“I have voted in favour of this report for its progressive social stance, despite disagreeing with a number of considerations on tax. Tax policies may constitute important tools for social equity and consequently for ensuring gender equality. They may play a role in women's rights and poverty alleviation, by encouraging women’s employment and their economic independence.”

The report also tackles the issue of the gender pay gap. In 2019 in the EU, crude pay discrimination, while illegal, continued to contribute to the gender pay gap.

“Ending such practices should be at the forefront of the fight for social justice. Each Member State should however remain free to introduce reforms of their taxation systems that reflect their national specificities, while ensuring that all financial and other benefits linked to parenthood are preserved.”

The Maltese MEP expressed his disagreement to the reference in the report to the Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB). The CCCTB envisages a common set of rules for computing taxable income and the consolidation of tax bases across EU Member States. 

“The reference to CCCTB is irrelevant to gender equality, as it is dealing with legal persons and not individuals.” remarked the Maltese MEP.

The report was adopted with 313 votes in favour, 276 votes against and 88 abstentions.