How do you contribute meaningfully to the debate about the decisions governments make on levels of fossil fuel subsidies or tax and budgetary decisions that affect us all? And how do you prove (or disprove) that big mega-projects are a good use of taxpayer’s money? Well, part of the answer is … [Read more...]
Archives for 2016
Call for pro-bono research assistance on financial secrecy
Ahead of the publication of the results of the 2017 Financial Secrecy Index (FSI), the Tax Justice Network is reaching out to ask for your support in conducting pro-bono research. The FSI 2017 is expected to be published between October and December 2017. Since its first publication in 2009, the … [Read more...]
UN criticises Switzerland and pressure mounts over human rights impacts of tax havens
We've reported before on this blog on the groundbreaking situation whereby Switzerland—ranked number one in the Tax Justice Network’s Financial Secrecy Index - faced tough questions from a U.N. human rights body in Geneva over the toll that its tax and financial secrecy policies take on women’s … [Read more...]
Links Dec 1
Making tax work for women’s rights ActionAid See the report here. Illicit financial flows and tax havens: The poor supports the rich CMI Includes presentations from the conference 'Lifting the Veil of Secrecy: Tax Havens, Capital Flows and Developing Countries" Press release: the G20 must … [Read more...]
When free speech is criminal
As the global Anti-Corruption Conference begins in this week in Panama City, the case of Dutch citizen Okke Ornstein has hit the headlines. Okke, who lived in Panama was recently jailed on a charge of defamation. … [Read more...]
Links Nov 29
Egypt: How every dollar became ,000 in less than a decade for Gamal Mubarak Mada Masr Story produced with the assistance of Finance Uncovered. Economic Commission for Africa and partners commit to IFF fight as workshop ends in Nairobi African Business Africa: Economic Made Simple - Unpacking … [Read more...]
Switzerland and information exchange: tweak, tweak and something will always remain
In less than a year data will start to flow under a new scheme for countries to share information automatically across borders, to help each other collect taxes from their taxpayers and fight financial crimes and abuses. The scheme is the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) which was set up by the … [Read more...]
Links Nov 25
Cutting Company Taxes is a Race to the Bottom naked capitalism See here for more on the Race to the Bottom and Tax Wars. Virtual Briefing: Country-by-Country Reporting With TJN's Alex Cobham, and hosted by Financial Transparency Coalition, on December 6 Call for papers: Taxation and Sustainable … [Read more...]
Taxing Rights and Human Rights in East Africa – new report
The East Africa Tax and Governance Network (EATGN) has today launched its first report on taxation and human rights in East Africa. … [Read more...]
Women, tax and equality: yet again, the burden is disproportionately borne by women
The impacts on gender of tax and spending decisions made by governments although important are often little understood by decision makers. As the UK government sets out its autumn statement the Women's Budget Group is seeking to promote understanding of this issue. … [Read more...]
Links Nov 23
Tax evasion: MEPs back automatic exchange of bank data to track account owners European Parliament Dutch journalist facing prison term in Panama for criminal libel The Guardian 'This prison sentence sends a signal that critical journalism on fraud and corruption is not possible in … [Read more...]
Links Nov 21
Expert committee urges Panama to reform financial services industry ICIJ EU consultation on disincentives for advisors for potentially aggressive tax planning schemes STEP New Law: Luxembourg to offer easy visa for ultra-rich Luxemburger Wort … [Read more...]
Corporate Tax Wars: May tries to trump Trump in a race to the bottom
The British Prime Minister today hinted that she is considering further corporate tax cuts and increases in corporate welfare after US President elect Donald Trump signaled he would seek to slash the US federal corporation tax rate to 15%. Theresa May's speech signals a renewed commitment by … [Read more...]
Crowdsourcing request: “We are not a tax haven!”
Over the years, we've chronicled the tax haven denial of many secrecy jurisdictions, even building a partial list of those who have publicly claimed "We are not a tax haven!" Now, at the prompting of tax twitter (notably Mary Cosgrove and Stephanie Johnston, with honourable mentions to Aisling … [Read more...]
Tax Inspectors Without Borders, US President Trump and Tax Justice: our November 2016 podcast
Welcome to the Tax Justice Network November 2016 Podcast! In this month’s Taxcast: – Tax Inspectors Without Borders – we look at a practical project that’s changing lives and aiming to level the global playground of tax-minimising multinational companies. – Plus: what does new US President Trump … [Read more...]
