Press release from Global Witness Systemic failure to stop money laundering or comply with US laws shows need for sanctions for senior executives at big banks The HSBC tax scandal shows that UK law needs to be changed so that senior bankers are held criminally responsible when they oversee … [Read more...]
Inequality & Democracy
Tax transparency after #SwissLeaks
Cross-posted from Uncounted: Alex Cobham Yesterday I suggested some specific transparency measures to rebuild trust in light of #SwissLeaks. Today my colleagues at TJN pointed out that they are way ahead of me: here’s how. … [Read more...]
#SwissLeaks – Tax transparency for accountability
Cross-posted from Uncounted: Alex Cobham Much of the #SwissLeaks data has been in the hands of tax authorities for 5 years. Many of the questions raised relate to individuals and to particular regulators and governments – but there’s also a broader question that goes to the type of solutions … [Read more...]
HSBC: the world’s favourite tax evasion shelter
Today's media is awash with the latest revelations from the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists about HSBC's involvement in helping its clients to evade and avoid tax. BBC's flagship documentary programme, Panorama, will be covering the story tonight. We have previously covered … [Read more...]
Links Feb 4
Multinationals channel more money through "hubs" in Singapore, Switzerland than ever before, Australian Taxation Office says The Sydney Morning Herald Boost for Juncker as possible probe by MEPs into LuxLeaks scandal now in the balance The Bureau of Investigative Journalism See also earlier … [Read more...]
Links Feb 2
Obama planning to tax US firms' foreign profits in blow to Ireland Irish Independent See also: It’s time to smell the coffee and start cooperating on international tax Tax Research UK Companies debate merits of ‘fair tax’ kitemark Financial Times (paywall) "For the UK’s second-largest energy … [Read more...]
The Mbeki panel on illicit financial flows: Africa leads the way
Former South African president Thabo Mbeki panel has presented the findings of his panel to the African Union summit, where they were adopted directly into the declaration. Now, we’re biased for all sorts of reasons (more on that below), but this is an historic moment – and probably the most … [Read more...]
Mbeki Report On Financial Crime Will Shift Global Tax Debate, Says Christian Aid
UPDATE: The report of the High Level Panel on Illicit Financil Flows chaired by President Mbeki was adopted by the African Union Summit meeting on 31st January 2015. This represents a major milestone for the global tax justice movement. Campaigners throughout Africa can now push their … [Read more...]
Links Jan 30
Civil Society Response to the Financing for Development Elements Paper Eurodad Press release: Standard Chartered publicised tax avoidance strategy for use in some of the world’s poorest countries ActionAid Le Prix A Payer is France Inter’s “Les Choix de Inter” [pick of the week] African … [Read more...]
The Tax Justice Research Bulletin – 1(1)
January 2015 The Tax Justice Research Bulletin is written by Alex Cobham This is the inaugural Tax Justice Research Bulletin, the first of a monthly series dedicated to tracking the latest developments in policy-relevant research on national and international taxation. This issue looks at a … [Read more...]
Links Jan 29
Global Tax Transparency Rising in 2015 As FATCA, OECD Initiatives Gain Momentum Bloomberg BNA Luxembourg investigation: EU parliament suggests LuxLeaks inquiry committee setup Luxemburger Wort Vatican foiled over bid to hide Swiss bank data The Local Japan unveils plans to impose 'exit … [Read more...]
Links Jan 28
Poverty in the Cayman Islands Tax Research UK See also: The Finance Curse U.S.: Congress Should Pass the Stop Tax Haven Abuse Act to Combat International Tax Avoidance Citizens for Tax Justice Puerto Rico Expands Tax Haven Deal For Americans To Its Own Emigrants Forbes Consider also: Tax … [Read more...]
Quote of the day: tax-evading Greek oligarchs
From an article by UK journalist Paul Mason, published on the eve of the Greek vote: "As for the Greek oligarchs, their misrule long predates the crisis. These are not only the famous shipping magnates, whose industry pays no tax, but the bosses of energy and construction groups and football … [Read more...]
Links – Jan 26
Luxembourg Charges Second Ex-PwC Employee Over Tax Leaks Bloomberg See also recent blogs Will Antoine Deltour become a prisoner of conscience? and Tax haven whistleblowers: where are the human rights organisations? Davos is starting to get it – inequality is the root cause of stagnation The … [Read more...]
New report: women, tax and economic inequality
ActionAid has just published a new report entitled Close the Gap! The Cost of Inequality in Women's Work, which does that it says on the tin. It's not just about tax, of course, but it contains much that is of interest to us. … [Read more...]
