Book excerpt: The book provides an introduction to European law on direct taxation. It includes an overview of the sources of European law, the impact of the fundamental freedoms on direct taxation and the relevance of the European state aid provisions in tax matters. Further, it analyses all relevant directives in the field of direct taxation, namely the Parent-Subsidiary Directive, the Merger Directive, the Interest and Royalty Directive, looks at mutual assistance, as well as the EU Arbitration Convention. This edition has some structural changes, primarily made to adapt the analysis of European tax integration to the application of the EU Charter on Fundamental Rights in tax matters and the development of global tax competition. The latter phenomenon is being targeted by the BEPS and Tax Transparency projects in a suptranational framework that coordinates the exercise of national taxing rights around the globe and which also has significant repercussions for European tax integration.