The ministry of finance has decreed that all trade tax assessments (notices of chargeable trading income) should be issued subject to the outcome of cases currently pending before the Supreme Tax Court and the Constitutional Court on the conformity of the Trade Tax Act with the constitution.

The EU has published its report on the results of the 2003 public consultation on the recast of the Sixth Directive. Editorial suggestions have been taken into account; calls for changes in substance have not.

The European Commission has formally asked Italy to amend the VAT chapter of the tax amnesty scheme it has adopted.

The Bundesrat passed the Investment Fund Modernisation Bill in its November 28 sitting. Formal enactment into law is expected to follow shortly.