Category: Offshore Investments

Scrap Withholding Tax & MAT on Japanese Companies In India: Suggests Minister, Embassy Of Japan

Minister, Embassy of Japan Mr. Isomata Akio asked India to exempt Japanese manufacturers, operating in India from withholding tax and Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) so that these do not evolve into being one of the trade barriers and stagger Japan from becoming India’s largest trade partner in times to come. Japan investments and technology… – Continue reading

CFTC Concerned Over Big Banks Transferring Trading Operations Offshore

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is wary of banks invoking guarantees on foreign swap deals, and is taking steps to scrutinize such activity. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is wary of US banks shifting their trading activities offshore and has urged other regulators to scrutinize banks involved in… – Continue reading

Doubts mount about Valeant Pharmaceuticals’ tax structures

MONTREAL – The disclosure by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. that it is under audit by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service is raising further doubts among tax specialists about the future of the Quebec-based drug company’s tax strategies. Valeant estimates it has achieved US$2.5-billion in tax and other “corporate structure” savings… – Continue reading

Apple’s burden: a mountain of money it can’t really use

US companies can end up sitting on vast piles of untappable cash, held overseas for tax purposes. Success for the iPhone 6 would make things worse If, as expected, the launch of the new iPhone and Apple’s iWatch health monitor leads to record sales, more money than ever will pour… – Continue reading

Shifting sands: push for government to crack down on corporate profits

Antony Ting describes it as “like finding treasure”. It was 18 months ago when the powerful US congressional committee blew the lid on Apple’s aggressive corporate tax structure, which allowed it to funnel $US44 billion dollars out of the countrythrough a network of tax haven subsidiaries. Dr Ting, a senior… – Continue reading

HMRC seeks severe fines for tax evaders

High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. Savers and investors who have kept assets offshore should make use of disclosure facilities to settle with the… – Continue reading

PA accord between India and Switzerland to usher in new era of tax cooperation between the nations

(India and Switzerland are…) NEW DELHI: India and Switzerland are finding it difficult to break a deadlock over sharing information on secret bank accounts held in the European nation but both sides are close to finalising the first accord on a bilateral advance pricing agreement that will allow taxpayers to… – Continue reading

An offshore bond could be the key to a better return on your money

Such bonds have advantages for expats who are moving from a low-tax to a high-tax environment, explains Charlotte Beugge Interest rates on savings accounts are at such low levels that many expats will be looking for an alternative home for their money. Currently, the best rate expat savers can get… – Continue reading

Tax Dodger Amnesty Loophole Closed By HMRC

The constant battle raging between clever lawyers and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has led to the goal posts moving on a tax amnesty offer. After alleged abuses of the Employee Benefit Trust settlement arrangement (EBT) the scheme will be closed early, denying taxpayers the chance to settle their affair… – Continue reading

Reality Check: Franken’s Ad On McFadden’s ‘Tax Inversion’

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A tough new ad from Democratic Sen. Al Franken accuses his Republican opponent’s business of avoiding taxes by headquartering overseas. But Republican Mike McFadden calls the ad “ridiculous” and “full of lies.” The ad marks a new Franken campaign strategy: directly attack McFadden for his business dealings…. – Continue reading

Fund houses start due diligence of foreign investors

Fund houses have started asking foreign investors and distributors to furnish necessary details to comply with Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). Fund houses have started collecting necessary information from foreign investors about their tax residency status in order to comply with the requirement of Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act… – Continue reading

Treasurer Joe Hockey demands crackdown on corporate tax avoidance

Multinational corporations that use complicated schemes to avoid paying tax in Australia are set to be targeted, with Treasurer Joe Hockey demanding the Commissioner of Taxation “double his efforts”. Mr Hockey has also warned Australians with offshore investments to once again disclose their unreported foreign income to tax authorities before… – Continue reading

Most Dutch banks are ‘vague’ about tax avoidance: fair banking report

Seven Dutch financial institutions may be involved in evading taxes and are ‘extremely vague’ about what they do to ensure this does not happen, the Dutch Fair Bank Guide said on Wednesday. ABN Amro, Aegon, Delta Lloyd, ING, NIBC, Rabobank and Van Lanschot emerge as potential tax avoiders in research… – Continue reading

India Eyes Tax On £350 Billion Cash Hidden Offshore

The Indian government’s bid to unearth black money stashed away in hidden offshore accounts is starting to pay off. The government believes around £350 billion is hidden in undeclared bank accounts and investments outside the country and wants to bring the tax owed on the money back to India. Nine… – Continue reading

Using British Virgin Islands Companies for International Listings

The British Virgin Islands’ (BVI) corporate statute is ideally suited for international listings. BVI companies have been used widely for listings on international stock exchanges in New York, London, Singapore and Oslo. They have been especially popular for listings on the world’s most successful growth market, the LSE’s Alternative Investment… – Continue reading

Time running out to own up to tax avoidance

A useful – and legal – scheme for people who haven’t paid their dues to the taxman is being restricted, reports Alison Steed Expats who have failed to pay their taxes may find the attractive option of using the Liechtenstein Disclosure Facility (LDF) blocked, thanks to changes made to it… – Continue reading

Madrid takes aim at Pujol over tax evasion

High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. Email ftsales.support@ft.com to buy additional rights. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5470f66a-32a8-11e4-a5a2-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz3CLJSNkJT The Spanish government has launched a blistering attack on Jordi Pujol, the former Catalan… – Continue reading

Luxembourg first country to issue sovereign Sukuk in the Eurozone

On 9 July 2014, Luxembourg Parliament voted a law aimed at allowing the issuance of the first Luxembourg sovereign Sukuk in response to the recent surge in investor demand for Sharia-compliant instruments. In a nutshell, the law authorizes a sale and buy-back transaction of real estate assets to a Special… – Continue reading

Amazon accused of “backdoor” entry; faces tax evasion in India

Amazon has been accused of violating Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) laws in India by setting up business in the country. Seattle based Amazon.com, operating its business from Bangalore, is in confrontation with the Karnataka government’s commercial taxes department. While, the department argued that Amazon.com has violated FDI, regulations by making… – Continue reading

Ex-Ag: ‘We’re Up To’ Coping With Automatic Tax Information

An ex-Attorney General believes the financial services industry will survive even if the automatic exchange of tax information becomes the global standard, warning that this nation “can’t stand apart” from the initiative. #John Delaney, now managing partner at Delaney Partners, said the Bahamas’ resilience in withstanding previous global tax/regulatory initiatives… – Continue reading

How U.S. Corporations Skip Out on Their Tax Bill

Microsoft is avoiding paying billions in taxes—and it’s not the only one. a subsidiary of a foreign company, so the firm has not technically engaged in the so-called “inversion” scheme that President Obama and Democrats have lately been criticizing. However, according to a 2012 U.S. Senate investigation, the company has… – Continue reading

Swiss banks hit by huge deposit outflow in tax crackdown

[ZURICH] SWISS banks have suffered from a massive outflow of funds since 2008, a survey said on Friday, squeezed by an international crackdown on tax evasion. The survey by auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers attributed much of the outflow – totalling almost 350 billion Swiss francs (S$474 billion) – to customers paying fines… – Continue reading

Malta halves EU property residency requirement

Malta’s High Net Worth Individual Rules for EU, which carried a minimum property investment of €400,000, has been replaced by the Global Residence Programme, with an entry point as low as €220,000 Malta has announced a new residency programme for EU nationals – and has halved the minimum property purchase… – Continue reading

The Biggest Tax Scam Ever

I n July, the American pharmaceutical giant AbbVie, maker of the world’s top-selling drug – the arthritis treatment Humira – reached a blockbuster deal to acquire European rival Shire, best known for the attention-deficit medication Adderall. The merger was cheered by Wall Street, not for what the deal will do… – Continue reading

Premiers need to act on tax havens and the CRA

Ottawa (27 Aug. 2014)—Premiers and territorial leaders in Charlottetown for the Council of the Federation need to demand the federal government and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) stem the flow of Canadian money offshore because it is depleting revenues by at least $7.8 billion each year. Retrieving that money could… – Continue reading

United States: FATCA’s Impact On Preparing Trusts With Offshore Business or Investment Activities

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) was enacted into law as part of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act of 2010. Its purpose was designed to prevent U.S. taxpayers from “hiding” under the cover of a foreign based entity or trust in evading U.S. income tax and… – Continue reading

Companies That Have Cut Their U.S. Tax Bills the Most

According to Canada’s finance minister, the country’s corporate tax rate has dropped from 20% to 15% since the Conservative government took office in 2006. The U.S. tax rate is 35%, making the tax advantage for Burger King’s move to Canada a central part of the deal. Cutting corporate tax payments… – Continue reading

United States: FATCA’s Impact On Preparing Trusts With Offshore Business or Investment Activities

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) was enacted into law as part of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act of 2010. Its purpose was designed to prevent U.S. taxpayers from “hiding” under the cover of a foreign based entity or trust in evading U.S. income tax and… – Continue reading

Whopper? Microsoft Skirts Billions In Taxes, Google, HP & Apple Have It Their Way Too

With all the talk about inversions and America’s Burger King Going Canadian, it’s easy to ignore even more prevalent tax savings by numerous American companies. Take Microsoft, which admits in its 2014 SEC filing that it avoids $30 billion in U.S. taxes. The trick? Keep about triple that amount, $93… – Continue reading

Microsoft has nearly $93 billion in overseas cash, and it’s reduced its tax bill by almost $30 billion

Microsoft’s stash of cash stored overseas, not subject to US taxes, is growing. In its latest regulatory filing, the software giant said it has now stockpiled $92.9 billion offshore and that this money could have cost the company $29.6 billion in taxes, but didn’t. That compares to $76.4 billion from… – Continue reading

Microsoft Admits Keeping $92 Billion Offshore to Avoid Paying $29 Billion in U.S. Taxes

Microsoft Corp. is currently sitting on almost $29.6 billion it would owe in U.S. taxes if it repatriated the $92.9 billion of earnings it is keeping offshore, according to disclosures in the company’s most recent annual filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The amount of money that Microsoft is… – Continue reading

Richard Kaplan: Additional Rauner tax-return disclosures probably won’t reveal much

Various reporters, editorialists and politicians are clamoring for Bruce Rauner, the Republican candidate for governor of Illinois, to release more of his tax returns — specifically, the detailed schedules that accompany the “top sheets” that he already has released. They probably will be disappointed, even if Mr. Rauner complies with… – Continue reading

Gibbons: New companies trend show Bermuda ‘moving in right direction’

Education and Economic Development Minister Grant Gibbons said yesterday the Registrar of Companies’ data on new company incorporations for the second quarter of 2014 continues to show a strong positive trend in the number of new company registrations. Results following the close of the quarter in June showed that the… – Continue reading

Is offshore equity attractive?

JOHANNESBURG – While numerous asset managers have indicated that global equities currently offer better longer-term investment opportunities than local stocks, some investors are concerned that the rand could strengthen and dilute their offshore gains. Last year, investors with exposure to specific offshore unit trust funds benefited from gains in international… – Continue reading

Offshore incorporations up in Cayman and worldwide

Despite the political and media pressure on offshore financial centers, new incorporations of offshore companies worldwide continue to grow. A new report on offshore company incorporations by law and fiduciary firm Appleby shows that new company registrations increased in most offshore jurisdictions in the second half of 2013. “As the… – Continue reading

Corporation tax: Rate cut likely as Prime Minister David Cameron set to let Northern Ireland go it alone

Northern Ireland looks set to be handed the power to slash corporation tax in a move with the potential to significantly boost our stuttering economy. In a development which could transform international investment, senior sources in London and Belfast predict that an announcement will be made no later than October… – Continue reading

Rauner’s old firm set up Cayman Island funds when he was boss

SRINGFIELD — Republican Bruce Rauner not only has personal investments in the Cayman Islands, but he presided over his former private equity firm as it set up other investment vehicles in the Caribbean tax haven known for its secrecy. The Chicago Sun-Times verified through the Cayman Islands’ government-run online business… – Continue reading