On January 10, 2025, the Directive on Faster and Safer Relief of Excess Withholding Taxes (2025/50) (FASTER) was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The Directive will enter into force 20 days after this publication, on January 30, 2025.

As a reminder, the Directive is introducing safer and more efficient withholding tax procedures. Key features include: (1) a common EU digital tax residence certificate, (2) two fast-track procedures complementing the existing standard refund procedure in each Member State, and (3) the introduction of national registers for financial intermediaries that will be able to facilitate the fast-track procedures.

When it comes to the next steps, Member States must transpose the Directive into domestic legislation by December 31, 2028. The new rules will become applicable starting January 1, 2030.

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