Category: Offshore Investments

MotoGP » Emotional Marquez responds to Andorra critics

MotoGP champion Marc Marquez hit hard by criticism of a planned move to Andorra, will continue to pay tax in Spain. MotoGP champion Marc Marquez gave an emotional response to the criticism he has received within Spain over a reported move to Andorra. Speaking during Friday’s preview for the Superprestigio… – Continue reading

Bombardier among companies using legal tax havens at expense of home country

MONTREAL – The problem is not that Bombardier Inc. played a complex shell game since at least 2010 by refinancing and redirecting US$500 million of its financing activities to Luxembourg, a notorious tax haven. It’s that it does so legally — and is hurting its home country despite being one… – Continue reading

Taxing Diverted Profits: The Empire Strikes Back

There’s big news from across the pond. The U.K. government’s Autumn Statement (formerly known as the pre-Budget report), released December 3, promises to change how multinational corporations will be taxed – and offers a cautionary tale for would-be U.S. tax reformers. Britain will introduce a “diverted profits” tax, targeting corporations… – Continue reading

‘Grandfather’ of Antigua’s financial services leads the way in innovation

This is a United World interview for USA Today for a report on Antigua and Barbuda. Brian Stuart-Young, CEO of Global Bank of Commerce and Non-resident Ambassador to China, spoke about opportunities for American investors in the energy sector, Antigua’s robust framework for financial services, and the potential for the… – Continue reading

Gov’t drops plans to make offshore tax evasion a criminal offence

HM Revenue & Customs’ (HMRC) plan to make undeclared taxable offshore income a criminal offence has suffered a blow as it has been omitted from draft legislation. The draft Financial Bill, published earlier this week, extended the scope of civil penalties for tax evasion but there was no reference to… – Continue reading

Putin Says Tax Rules Should Remain Unchanged

Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, has said that tax legislation should remain unchanged for the next four years, and that he wants a one-off tax amnesty for individuals who repatriate capital to Russia. Addressing the Federal Assembly, Putin said that there is a need for stable legislation and predictable rules, which… – Continue reading

Taxing Diverted Profits: The Empire Strikes Back

There’s big news from across the pond. The U.K. government’s Autumn Statement (formerly known as the pre-Budget report), released December 3, promises to change how multinational corporations will be taxed – and offers a cautionary tale for would-be U.S. tax reformers. Britain will introduce a “diverted profits” tax, targeting corporations… – Continue reading

Finance Ministry Reacts To Latest ‘LuxLeaks’

Responding to another leak, the Luxembourg Finance Ministry has said that the advance tax rulings issued to multinationals by the country’s tax authority are not, and never have been, secret. The Ministry issued a statement on December 10 acknowledging the publication by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) of… – Continue reading

Burger King will avoid $117m in tax from Tim Hortons merger, activists say

Findings from Americans for Tax Fairness directly contradict Burger King’s earlier insistence that the merger would create ‘no tax benefit’ Burger King acquires Tim Hortons and calls Obama’s bluff on tax Burger King stands to avoid paying hundreds of millions of dollars in US taxes if it completes its pending… – Continue reading

GRUBER’S COMMENTS REVEAL BROADER LIBERAL DECEPTION ON TAXES

Jonathan Gruber, MIT professor and Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) architect, faced the House Oversight committee earlier this week. Gruber was grilled over his comments pertaining to the passage of ObamaCare through Congress and the law’s mechanics. The professor has been caught on camera multiple times almost bragging about the deception… – Continue reading

US Republican presidential hopeful Jeb Bush uses UK fund that could lower his American tax bill

Jeb Bush, a front-runner to become the Republican Party’s next presidential nominee, has used Britain to set up a private equity fund that could possibly allow it to avoid paying tax in America. The potentially damaging revelation was uncovered by the financial news wire Bloomberg and could pose a serious… – Continue reading

Chinese wealth next stop for hush-hush Swiss bankers

The Swiss banking sector, which has been forced to give up its traditional secrecy, is now looking to China for new financial investment. “One of the first ports that the Swiss financial center is steering for is the port of China,” Claude Alain Margelisch, chief executive of the Swiss Bankers… – Continue reading

PAC declines legal demand from former FF minister to hand over Ansbacher dossier to him

The Dail’s Public Accounts Committee has declined a legal demand from former Fianna Fail Finance Minster Ray MacSharry to hand over the Ansbacher dossier to him. Lawyers acting for Mr MacSharry had given PAC seven days to hand over the Ansbacher dossier, the Irish Independent has learned. Mr MacSharry took… – Continue reading

UK Finance Bill 2015 — Draft Clauses Published

This Alert provides more details on the most significant measures contained in the draft Finance Bill. Draft clauses of the UK Finance Bill 2015 were published on 10 December 2014. They will now be the subject of consultation until 4 February 2015. This Alert provides more details on the most… – Continue reading

Experts disagree that tax-dodging offshore companies less popular

Exports of Ukrainian goods through offshore companies fell by 90 percent in the first nine months of this year, according to the State Fiscal Service, dropping to $334 million. British Virgin Islands, a jurisdiction known for the lack of transparency, remains the most popular offshore destination with Ukrainian companies, attracting… – Continue reading

Next move: Thailand as HQ and trading hub of Asean

THAILAND has offered tax incentives for regional operating headquarters and international procurement centres for more than 10 years, but there are fewer than 300 companies operating ROHs or IPCs. Recently, the Cabinet approved a measure promoting Thailand as the shared-services hub of the Asean Economic Community. It is expected that… – Continue reading

1 FATCA and trustees: part I

Maples and Calder Michael Gagie, Richard Grasby, Tim Clipstone, Christopher Capewell, Jon Fowler and Tim Frawley Do trustees need to register with the US Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) before 1 January 2015?  Does registration need to be made in respect of a trust? These questions need to be given… – Continue reading

Tax Reform In 2015 Can Impact Apple

Summary Corporate tax reform is getting closer, repatriation of foreign profits is a possible outcome. Reform may end the practice of deferment, meaning overseas cash hordes will no longer be part of common corporate practice. Many large U.S. companies will have decisions on how to use funds that are no… – Continue reading

Ferrari Said to Weigh Moving Fiscal Base Outside Italy

Ferrari SpA is considering moving its fiscal residence outside Italy to save on corporate taxes as the supercar maker prepares for its spinoff from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (FCAU), people familiar with the matter said. The manufacturer, which uses the colors of the Italian flag in its logo, may follow… – Continue reading

Former Swiss Banker Collapses During WikiLeaks Data Trial

Rudolf Elmer, the former employee of Julius Baer Group Ltd. accused of revealing details of client accounts via WikiLeaks, collapsed at the start of his trial, forcing the court to postpone the case. It was not clear when the trial in Zurich District Court would continue. Proceedings had been under… – Continue reading

Hong Kong firm financing owners of 3 mobile network had secret tax deal

Hutchison Whampoa had profit of €429.6m but paid just €65,067 tax in Luxembourg A Luxembourg company that provides indirect financial support to 3 Ireland, is among the latest batch of entities found to be availing of secret tax deals in Luxembourg. Hutchison Whampoa Europe Investments Sarl (HWEI) – part of… – Continue reading

Vodafone Vs I-T dept: ITAT rules in favour of tax dept

This transfer pricing dispute arose from transactions involving Vodafone in 2007-08. The I-T department had red flagged the sale of call centre business to Hutchison Whampoa Properties India and the assignment of Call Options. n the latest from Vodafone’s Rs 8,500 crore trasfer pricing case versus the Income Tax department,… – Continue reading

Indian firms to tap more offshore funds to refinance debt, says Fitch

Indian corporates are likely to increasingly access the offshore debt capital markets for their funding requirements once the investment cycle restarts, according to Fitch Ratings. “The growth is likely to be driven by the need to refinance debt and fund capex once the investment cycle restarts and as many corporates… – Continue reading

Malta: A Question Of Substance

Malta continues to receive glowing reviews internationally as a stable financial services centre of repute within the European Union. Over the past fifteen years, Malta has moved seamlessly from being an offshore to an onshore jurisdiction, through the implementation of several legal, tax and regulatory rules intended to stimulate domestic… – Continue reading

Ireland: Property Investment Structures In Ireland: Irish Investment Opportunities

In recent times there has been a welcome return to activity in the Irish real estate market. Overseas investors have been circling and private equity groups have started investing heavily in Irish real estate amid confidence that the Irish economy has stabilised and is returning to growth. In this briefing… – Continue reading

Israeli Swiss Bank Tax Evasion Investigation Widens

A senior figure is suspected of secretly keeping accounts in a Swiss bank that were not reported to the tax authorities in Israel, in an affair called the “Swiss Bank Affair,” sources inform “Globes.” Israel Tax Authority investigators conducted a search of the senior figure’s home. As in the information… – Continue reading

UK: Moving to the UK from France

Some statistics rank London as the fourth largest ‘French’ city by population, and the number of French individuals moving to the UK is growing. This is not surprising – the UK offers a highly favourable tax regime for ‘non-domiciled’ individuals moving to the UK, while entrepreneurs, professionals and high net… – Continue reading

State had key role in structures set up by €100m Cayman fund

Fund wanted to buy distressed debt in media and communications companies Ireland played a key role in international tax and funding structures set up by a $100 million Cayman Islands fund that wanted to buy distressed debt in media and communications companies in 2010. Accountancy firm Ernst & Young (now… – Continue reading

Arcade operator, farmer and company director top tax defaulters’ list

A Dublin-based amusement arcade operator, a Co Sligo farmer and a Dublin company director topped the latest list of tax defaulters. The 107-strong list, published by the Revenue Commissioners, made settlements totalling €19.64 million. The largest settlement was made by fair and amusement arcade operators Groundview Limited, of 15 Lower… – Continue reading

New Luxembourg leaks reveal Disney, Koch Industries tax deals

(Reuters) – Tax deals that entertainment giant Walt Disney Co., commodities group Koch Industries [KCHIN.UL] and others agreed with the Luxembourg authorities were revealed on Tuesday by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). The ICIJ said the two companies engaged in complex restructurings, and channeled hundreds of millions of… – Continue reading

Finance Ministry declines to share details on black money probe

New Delhi: Citing national security and confidentiality clauses, Finance Ministry has declined to disclose information on exchange of correspondence among India, Swiss and German authorities in connection with the black money probe. Replying to an RTI query, the ministry said it was obtaining information regarding Indians having accounts in foreign… – Continue reading

Mauritius Yet to Agree on Tax Treaty Revision: Finance Minister

New Delhi: The government on Tuesday said Mauritius is yet to agree to certain proposals to the long pending revision of bilateral tax treaty. “India has made certain proposals for revision of DTAC (Double Taxation Avoidance Convention) to end round tripping and other aspects. Mauritius is yet to agree to… – Continue reading

Espirito Santo chief denies wrongdoing, points finger at Bank of Portugal

LISBON (Reuters) – The former head of Banco Espirito Santo <BES.LS> on Tuesday denied any wrongdoing in the collapse of the bank his family founded and blamed the Bank of Portugal for accelerating its demise. Portugal had to rescue the country’s largest bank, known as BES, in a 4.9 billion… – Continue reading

EU Tax, Cisco, Google, Burger King: Intellectual Property

European Union nations that offer “patent box” tax breaks should retool their laws so that only deserving companies can claim benefits tied to technical innovations, according to a draft report from a European Union working group. Countries that use this kind of technology tax break should start legislative work next… – Continue reading

New Leak Reveals Luxembourg Tax Deals for Disney, Koch Brothers Empire

A new leak of confidential documents expands the list of big companies seeking secret tax deals in Luxembourg, exposing tax-saving maneuvers by American entertainment icon The Walt Disney Co., politically controversial Koch Industries Inc. and 33 other companies. Disney and Koch Industries, a U.S.-based energy and chemical conglomerate, both created… – Continue reading

ATO tax amnesty nets billions, but hunt for rich with secret Swiss accounts continues

Thousands of rich Australians have come forward to declare billions of dollars in untaxed assets and income stashed in bank accounts in Switzerland and in other countries. The rush comes as what the Australian Taxation office says is the last tax amnesty it will ever offer comes to an end…. – Continue reading

US Anti-Inversion Bill ‘Could Save More Revenue’

The Joint Committee on Taxation has increased, from USD19.5bn to more than USD33.5bn, its estimate of tax revenue that could be saved over a ten-year period from legislation to restrict corporate inversions introduced by Democrat lawmakers in the United States House of Representatives in May this year. A recent letter… – Continue reading

Banks will be tied to global rule changes, analysts warned

DAVID Murray’s financial system inquiry has left Australia’s big four banks at the whim of constantly changing global capital rules, analysts say. “By targeting a dynamic benchmark, there is a risk the Australian banking system enters a global ‘race to the top’ of capital levels,” said UBS analyst Jonathan Mott,… – Continue reading

Switzerland fends off Indian ‘fishing’

Mumbai: As India continues its pursuit of black money allegedly stashed abroad, Switzerland has said it would not entertain any ‘fishing expedition’ and authorities cannot ask for names of all Indian account holders in Swiss banks without doing their own independent investigations. Switzerland’s ambassador to India Linus von Castelmur also… – Continue reading

Black money: Switzerland asks India for proof

As India continues its pursuit of black money allegedly stashed abroad, Switzer-land has said it would not entertain any ‘fishing expedition’ and authorities cannot ask for names of all Indian account holders in Swiss banks without doing their own independent investigations. Switzerland’s Ambassador to India Linus von Castelmur also said… – Continue reading

Putin declares amnesty for returning capital, tax breaks for small business

In his annual address to both houses of parliament, President Vladimir Putin announced a large-scale program for the liberalization of the Russian economy. In particular, he proposed an amnesty for the repatriation of offshore capital and tax breaks for small businesses. However, Russian experts point out that some of the… – Continue reading

A palace fit for the king of tennis: Roger Federer to move into £6.5million GLASS mansion in Swiss tax haven on banks of Lake Zurich – complete with separate apartment for his parents

Tennis legend Roger Federer is set to move into a 6.5million glass mansion in a Swiss tax-haven Wollerau Three-storey building comes with floor-to-ceiling windows, a swimming pool and view across Lake Zurich Wollerau is one of the lowest tax municipalities in Europe and has attracted other multi-millionaires Tennis ace Roger… – Continue reading

Reporting Income from Offshore Investment: A Cautionary Tax Tale

The lesson from the ongoing trial of former UBS wealth management chief executive Raoul Weil really shouldn’t be a surprise, but we’ll say it anyway: Do not fail to declare income from offshore investments to avoid taxes. Unless, that is, you and your clients would prefer a really close relationship… – Continue reading

Property Council Pushes for Tax Reform

The Property Council of Australia has joined efforts by the broader business community to lobby the federal government to implement significant tax reforms next year. Members of the Business Coalition for Tax Reform (BCTR) will meet with the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) on December 15 to commence discussions… – Continue reading

PriceWaterhouseCoopers chief Kevin Nicholson denies lying over tax deals

Nicholson stands by previous testimony to MPs, as accountants are accused of mass-marketing tax avoidance schemes The head of tax at one of the UK’s top accounting groups was accused of lying to parliament about his firm’s role in devising controversial tax deals for clients in Luxembourg. Kevin Nicholson, PwC… – Continue reading