The Confédération Fiscale Européenne (CFE), the umbrella organisation of the tax advisory profession in Europe of which the Malta Institute of Taxation (MIT) is a member, has recently been reconstituted as an international, non-profit organisation under Belgian law. Next month, MIT will be hosting the first general assembly of the modern CFE, for which it has prepared a full range of professional and social activities.

Originally founded in Paris in 1959, the CFE now embraces national organisations from 28 European countries and within these organisations there are more than 200,000 tax advisers. The Confederation considers its functions to be the safeguarding of the professional interests of tax advisers, assuring the quality of tax services provided by tax advisers, exchanging information about national tax and professional laws and seeking to contribute to the coordination of tax law in Europe. The signing ceremony of the reconstitution documents took place in Brussels.

The Malta Institute of Taxation has been a CFE member for the last 10 years. It has participated in the reconstitution of the CFE and its honorary secretary George Farrugia signed the constitution act on behalf of the Institute.

The reconstitution had become necessary due to certain restrictions and dated requirements of French law, and no great changes in structure or purpose have been made as a result. The CFE’s first registered address was in France, but its administrative offices were originally in Bonn, then in Berlin and for several years now have now been in Brussels. The new registration becomes final with the issue of a Royal Decree, which is expected to be granted within the next few weeks. This is basically equivalent to the granting of a Charter under the more familiar British practice.

More information about the Malta Institute of Taxation can be obtained from its office at 66 Mosta Road, Attard ATD1430, by calling: 2131 4653 or 2143 0070, or by email to [email protected]