Category: Politically Exposed Persons

United States: Anti-Money Laundering And Sanctions: Trends And Developments Emerging Under The Trump Administration

Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering (BSA/AML) and sanctions matters continue to be a core focus of regulators, law enforcement agencies, policymakers and Congress, and the story of the Obama and Trump Administrations on AML and sanctions is one of general continuity. ... - Continue reading

India ratifies multilateral convention to curb abuse of tax treaties

The union cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the ratification of the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (MLI). The Convention will modify India’s treaties in order to curb revenue loss through treaty abuse and base erosion… – Continue reading

IRS gives foreign banks a break in Trump tax law’s new levy

The Internal Revenue Service is giving foreign-based banks with U.S. operations some leeway when calculating a major new international tax aimed at preventing global companies from shifting profits abroad. Multinationals often transfer payments, such as interest or royalties, to their affiliates in low-tax jurisdictions to maximize deductions and minimize tax… – Continue reading

Canada’s Trudeau Announces $10.5-Billion Fiscal Stimulus to Compete With US

The cabinet of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to implement tax cuts for the nation’s businesses, which, along with the announced plans to reduce regulation, are highly reminiscent of the economic policies of Canada’s southern neighbour. Kristian Rouz — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has unveiled an ambitious… – Continue reading

US multinationals dodge $180 billion in taxes on foreign profits per year

US multinational corporations are plundering the populations of the United States and the world to the tune of trillions of dollars by driving down and evading taxes on profits booked overseas. This is the conclusion that emerges from a recent study by University of California at Berkeley economist Gabriel Zucman… – Continue reading

Tax break seen helping Trump isn’t as sweet thanks to IRS rules

The tax law gave a last-minute windfall to commercial property owners such as President Donald Trump. But regulations proposed by the Internal Revenue Service could diminish the benefit. Under the proposals, the agency’s rules would penalize real estate investors when they make like-kind exchanges — a common practice used to… – Continue reading

UK court refuses to extradite former Trust Bank owner to Russia

Magistrates’ Court ruled that Ilya Yurov persecution was politically motivated because of his connections with Khodorkovsky. Westminster Magistrates’ Court refused to extradite Ilya Yurov, the former part owner of Trust Bank, who is on the international wanted list, RBC reported. The court believes that the extradition would violate human rights…. – Continue reading

German companies unconvinced by Brexit tax reduction promises: study

BERLIN, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) — German companies are highly sceptical that the British government can deliver on a promise to attract more business to Britain by lowering taxes after Brexit, a study published on Thursday by the Foundation for Family Business in Germany and Europe found. According to the study,… – Continue reading

IRS weighs easing tax-free spinoff rules

The Internal Revenue Service is considering relaxing the rules for companies to qualify for tax-free spinoffs — a shift that could benefit drugmakers and tech firms with promising early-stage products. The agency said Tuesday it’s looking into whether units should still be required to generate revenue before a spinoff from… – Continue reading

Income Tax Exemption to Interest Income on Specified Offshore Rupee Denominated Bonds

The Finance Ministry, last day informed that the Government is planning to introduce income tax exemption to the interest income on the specified Offshore Rupee Denominated Bonds. “Legislative amendments in this regard shall be proposed in due course”, the Ministry said. Interest payable by an Indian company or a business… – Continue reading

PACAC Explains Why FG Turned Spotlight on Multinationals

The Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption (PACAC) has explained why it is shifting the war against corruption in the country from politically exposed persons to multinationals. According to the Executive Secretary of PACAC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, Africa and indeed Nigeria losses more from Illicit Financial Flows (IFF) perpetrated by multinational… – Continue reading

Putin Signs ‘Tax Havens Bill’ to Shield Russian Companies From Foreign Sanctions

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a package of laws allowing Russia-controlled foreign offshore companies to be re-registered in offshore financial centers (OFCs) established in Russia’s Kaliningrad Region and Primorsky Territory in order to minimize the possible consequences of sanctions and political risks from foreign countries. The legislation establishes the procedure… – Continue reading

India’s sweeping anti money laundering agenda comes under scrutiny

Money laundering and abuse of sophisticated financial instruments have come under increasing scrutiny from regulators. However observers warn high-profile initiatives often act as a distraction from a lack of genuine political will to tackle global financial crime. For example, India’s leading stock exchange, the BSE, de-listed 222 dormant shell companies… – Continue reading

Why Singapore is a Hub for Indian Businesses

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a three day official visit to Singapore late last month. The trip was his first since November 2015, and followed quick visits to Indonesia and Malaysia. The three-nation tour, touted to be part of India’s Act East Policy, laid clear emphasis on closer Southeast… – Continue reading

Even the CBO Says the GOP Tax Reform Will Incentivize Corporate Offshoring

The Congressional Budget Office’s analysis of the new tax law suggests it could incentivize companies to offshore investments and jobs, which is directly at odds with GOP claims about the tax law. After the release of the GOP’s tax reform plan, several outlets, including the Prospect, noted that new tax… – Continue reading

CBO confirms GOP tax bill will worsen offshore tax dodging

Saving American jobs from going overseas was the cornerstone of candidate Trump’s populist campaign for president. “We’re just shipping company after company after company is leaving this country and leaving jobs behind,” Trump said in March of 2016. “And I’m going to get it stopped.” In October of 2017, while… – Continue reading

Kazakhstan May Ban Cryptocurrencies Citing Money-Laundering Concerns

Kazakhstan’s National Bank is considering banning cryptocurrency use, exchanges, and mining, saying virtual currencies are an ideal vehicle for fraud, money-laundering, and tax evasion. “In Kazakhstan, the National Bank is taking a very conservative approach toward the matter, and it welcomes nothing but extremely tough restrictions,” Daniyar Akishev, the chairman… – Continue reading

Govt. revises Agreement between India and Qatar for avoidance of double taxation

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today gave its approval for revision of the Agreement between India and Qatar for the avoidance of double taxation and for the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income. The existing Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with Qatar… – Continue reading

Vladimir Putin Acknowledges Need for Blockchain Tech Adoption

Russian president stresses the need for Russia to increase its involvement in blockchain tech, in order to avoid being “late in the race”. Russian president Vladimir Putin has fully endorsed blockchain technology, acknowledging its significance and emphasizing the importance of early adoption in order to avoid being left behind. As… – Continue reading

US tax overhaul could see $2 trillion repatriated: UN

The recent U.S. tax overhaul could prompt U.S. multinationals to repatriate around $2 trillion (1.6 trillion euros), making a significant impact on global foreign direct investment, the U.N. said on Feb. 5. The forecast from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) came just over a month after… – Continue reading

Israel set to adjust tax policies to counter Trump reform, tax chief says

Also, multinational companies with a physical presence in Israel will soon get their first tax bill Israel will need to amend its corporate tax policies to counter the effects of US President Donald Trump’s tax reform, the head of Israel’s Tax Authority head acknowledged — but only slightly. “There will… – Continue reading

EU to investigate UK tax loophole for multinationals

Inquiry to centre on George Osborne’s 2013 rule change that allows resident multinationals to shift income offshore The EU is to launch an investigation into a British government scheme that may help multinational firms pay less tax, the Guardian has learned. Margrethe Vestager, the EU competition commissioner, will announce on… – Continue reading

Trump’s corporate tax reform plan could neuter Ireland’s advantage

President Trump on Wednesday this week announced a sketchy Republican tax reform plan that covered just 9 pages and he proposed that the headline federal corporate rate should be cut from 35% to 20%. However, there is a risk to Ireland’s low 12.5% corporate tax advantage. The average rate of… – Continue reading

Multinationals would face mandatory tax on offshore profits, Steven Mnuchin says

Multinational corporations with profits held overseas would face a mandatory one-time tax as part of the planned Republican tax legislation, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Wednesday. “There will be a ‘deemed tax’ as a one-time charge,” Mnuchin said in an interview with Fox News at the Treasury. U.S. companies have… – Continue reading

Slow UK aid for hurricane-hit islands linked to tax haven ties

Anguilla’s ex-attorney general says UK government may fear exposing its role in Caribbean territories’ tax arrangements Aid offered by the British government to its hurricane-battered territories in the Caribbean has been dismissed as “derisory” by a former attorney general of one of the worst-hit islands. Rupert Jones, who completed a… – Continue reading

Use data effectively to exceed revenue target for IT, urges Finance Ministry

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked tax officers to use data analytical tools to proactively track and determine undeclared income and wealth and highlighted the need to strengthen data analytics and investigation wing of the tax department. gst cbdt Tax officials have been urged to “utilise data effectively” such that… – Continue reading

Tax Rule Aimed at Corporate ‘Earnings Stripping’ Under Review

Obama-administration regulation drew criticism as overbroad Trump ordered review of tax rules that may pose undue burdens A federal rule aimed at limiting corporate “earnings stripping’’ for tax-avoidance purposes may pose an undue burden on taxpayers and may be changed or rescinded, according to a U.S. Internal Revenue Service notice…. – Continue reading

EU challenges Trump on tax avoidance ahead of G20 summit

The European Union has published a letter to EU heads of state, laying down a direct challenge to the Trump administration, on the issues of tax avoidance ahead of the G20 summit this weekend. The joint letter, sent by European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and European Council president Donald Tusk… – Continue reading

India’s Narendra Modi cancels registration of 100,000 companies

India has cancelled the registration of more than 100,000 companies which were “in violation of laws”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, in the latest effort by the government against “black money” and tax evasion. The decision was taken based on an extensive data analysis conducted by the government after Mr… – Continue reading

EU targets lawyers and accountants in tax-avoidance clampdown

Jean-Claude Juncker tells MEPs legislation will try to solve ‘real problem’ of experts helping clients exploit tax laws Brussels is preparing to crack down on accountants and lawyers running tax-avoidance schemes in response to the Panama Papers scandal that showed how the rich and powerful hide their money. Jean-Claude Juncker,… – Continue reading

Trump’s tax plan could have rich New Yorkers fleeing for Florida

President Trump has signed three executive orders to spark reviews of tax and financial regulations so taxes on businesses and individuals can be cut. The approach would be different from Trump’s earlier plan, which was criticized as an approach that would mostly benefit higher earners. Michael Zezas, a strategist at… – Continue reading

Deal that sends Canadian bank records to IRS is ‘illegal,’ lawyer tells U.S. committee

Witnesses call for repeal of Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act An agreement that has resulted in hundreds of thousands of Canadian banking records being sent to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service could violate the U.S. constitution, a congressional subcommittee heard Wednesday. Testifying before a subcommittee of the House Committee on… – Continue reading

Trump Plans to Seek 10% Tax on Offshore Earnings, Official Says

President said to call for taxing pass-throughs at 15% Pass-throughs are currently taxed at higher individual rates President Donald Trump plans to propose a 10 percent tax on more than $2.6 trillion in earnings that U.S. companies have stockpiled offshore, said a White House official familiar with the president’s tax… – Continue reading

US tax cuts could lead to financial instability: IMF

Report warns that Trump’s proposed corporate tax reforms could spark risk-taking WASHINGTON • The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned yesterday that United States President Donald Trump’s proposed tax cuts and reduction of financial regulations could spark a new round of financial risk-taking of the type that preceded the last crisis… – Continue reading

Noonan: Too Early To Anticipate Tax Performance For 2017

Irish Finance Minister Michael Noonan has said that despite a dip in tax revenues for the first quarter of 2017, “it remains too early to discern any firm trends.” Noonan made the comment during an appearance before parliament’s Budget Oversight Committee. He said that his Department has increased its GDP… – Continue reading

Art of the deal: Trump, Dems look for common ground to close tax loopholes

Venture capitalists, investors left unfazed Both President Trump and Capitol Hill Democrats head into negotiations over tax reform vowing to put the squeeze on hedge fund managers by closing the carried interest tax loophole — a point of agreement that held out promise for becoming a foundation for a once-in-a-generation… – Continue reading

FATCA repeal on agenda of US Republicans

Washington’s Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act, known as FATCA, will be assailed afresh as lawyers and lobbyists renew efforts to repeal the law as part of President Donald Trump’s tax reform. Washington-based Jim Jatras, a Republican and co-leader of the Campaign to Repeal FATCA, says “lots is happening,” and his… – Continue reading