Category: Germany

Poor Oversight Fuels Corruption in Sports Federations – Transparency Int’l

The opaque governance structure of sports federations makes them less accessible to independent oversight and therefore more prone to corruption, the deputy managing director at Transparency International, a global anti-corruption movement, told Sputnik. ST. PETERSBURG (Sputnik) – Earlier this year, separate investigations by US and Swiss prosecutors uncovered deep-rooted corruption… – Continue reading

Commentary: In face of ‘tax haven’ attack, CARICOM must unite

No member state of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) ranks among the top 20 jurisdictions worldwide for financial secrecy. The United States of America (at number 3), Germany (8), Japan (12) and Britain (15), all rate as bigger tax havens than any CARICOM jurisdiction, according to the Tax Justice Network (TJN),… – Continue reading

In face of ‘tax haven’ attack, CARICOM must unite | Sir Ronald Sanders

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, Friday November 6, 2015 – No member state of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) ranks among the top 20 jurisdictions worldwide for financial secrecy. The United States of America (at number 3), Germany (8), Japan (12) and Britain (15), all rate as bigger tax havens than any CARICOM… – Continue reading

Schroder Real Estate taps into hunger for offshore investment

Plans to list its European REIT on the JSE. Feeding South Africans’ seeming insatiable desire for rand-hedge stocks, Schroder Real Estate is planning to launch a European Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), which will have a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange with a secondary listing on the Johannesburg… – Continue reading

Germany: tax court prevents tax office from exchanging information with E6 countries in relation to digital economy

On September 7, 2015, the local tax court of Cologne (the “Court”) issued an injunction against the German Federal Central Tax Office (“FCTO”) to prevent the FCTO from conducting a coordinated exchange of information with the E6 countries Canada, Great Britain, France, Australia and Japan, which aimed at gathering intelligence… – Continue reading

GERMANY: FINAL GUIDANCE NOTES, IMPLEMENTING FATCA

Germany’s Federal Ministry of Finance on 3 November 2015 released final guidance notes for implementation of the FATCA regime. An intergovernmental agreement (IGA) signed by Germany and the United States follows the Model 1 IGA. Accordingly, financial institutions in Germany are required to report information concerning assets held by U.S…. – Continue reading

Eurodad Identifies Surprising Haven Nations for Tax Evasion and Money Laundering

The European Network on Debt and Development (also known as “Eurodad”), a network of NGOs, has issued a recent report identifying European nations that have served as havens for tax evasion and money laundering. According to the report, Germany, Luxembourg, and Spain are among the most egregious offenders. By turning… – Continue reading

Two unexpected countries could be havens for money laundering and tax dodging

Eurodad’s country comparison table, showing how each of the studied countries fared in the evaluation of four tax-related categories. Germany, Luxembourg, and Spain are egregious offenders in “supporting an unjust global tax system,” according to a new report from the European Network on Debt and Development (Eurodad), a network of… – Continue reading

Secret tax archives: UK joins move to block MEPs’ access

Treasury says making available documents detailing tax policies tailored for multinational firms would jeopardise ‘open and frank discussions’ The UK has joined Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Belgium in blocking attempts by a committee of MEPs to gain access to secret European archives that detail some of most controversial tax policies… – Continue reading

Hong Kong second worst in financial transparency, says survey

Hong Kong is the world’s second least transparent financial center, making it vulnerable to tax evasion, money laundering and other wrongdoing. It is topped only by Switzerland in a global survey by Tax Justice Network, a coalition of researchers and activists focused on tax avoidance issues. The United States ranks… – Continue reading

US overtakes Caymans and Singapore as haven for assets of super-rich

The US has overtaken Singapore, Luxembourg and the Cayman Islands as an attractive haven for super-rich individuals and businesses looking to shelter assets behind a veil of secrecy, according to a study by the Tax Justice Network (TJN), reports The Guardian. The US is ranked third, behind Switzerland and Hong… – Continue reading

German state buys USB said to hold evidence of €600m in tax avoidance

Tax authorities in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia have purchased a USB stick reported to hold evidence of tax avoidance and illegal deals worth more than €600m (£427m). Investigators are believed to have paid more than €5m for the data, the highest amount handed over for such information, according… – Continue reading

Kenya: ‘Kenya Losing Billions to Tax Havens’

The government has been accused of opening a loophole that allows super rich individuals and multinational companies to avoid taxes. The Tax Justice Network (TJN), a lobby group, has sued the government over agreements, which it says are robbing Kenya of the ability to raise revenues domestically, driving the country… – Continue reading

Fattouh: “FATCA” will replace the law “GATCA”

Secretary general of he Union of Arabs and Sam Fattouh for an international approach to the globalization of law “Vta” American FATCA, any tax compliance with the Law on Foreign Americans accounts, to become international law under labeled GATCA “Gta” (Global Account Tax Compliance Act), any tax compliance law global… – Continue reading

Liberia amongst top countries operating in financial secrecy

In a report leased by the international group Financial Secrecy, the group that carries out analysis of how far the legal systems of countries facilitate financial secrecy, Liberia is ranked amongst the top 30 countries in the world that deals in secrecy. While the Government of Liberia continues to boast… – Continue reading

Switzerland still top tax haven, US jumps to No. 3

NEW DELHI: Switzerland has retained its top spot in the financial secrecy index (FSI) 2015, unveiled by the Tax Justice Network (TJN) on Monday. Switzerland is followed by Hong Kong, the US, Singapore and the Cayman Islands. The biggest surprise is the US, which has climbed to third place from… – Continue reading

Tax haven: US ‘threatens’ global efforts to fight tax evasion, financial crimes

As the world is uniting to tackle tax evasion and improve financial transparency, the US “threatens progress,” a new survey has said. America is now ranked third among the world’s most attractive “tax havens,” trailing only Switzerland and Hong Kong. The US has jumped from sixth place to third in… – Continue reading

Corporate tax dodging still rampant in EU

A number of member states are failing to tackle corporate tax avoidance despite media revelations and EU and national-level moves to close loopholes. “It’s clear that in the EU it is business as usual for multinational corporations who want to dodge the rules to lower their tax bills”, said Tove… – Continue reading

NGOs slam EU’s ‘two-faced’ approach to tax

Tax systems within the European Union remain largely secretive and opaque despite leaders’ claims that measures are underway to fix loopholes, the European Network on Debt and Development (Eurodad) has said. The coalition of 46 NGOs from 20 European countries including Oxfam, Save the Children and ActionAid said that, while… – Continue reading

Belgium seeks more Korean investment

Biz-friendly tax regime is one of incentives Belgium, a global hub for international government institutions, wants to attract more Korean investment with its business-friendly tax regime. At the “Belgium: Gateway to Europe” seminar at the Koreana Hotel on Oct. 27, the event host, the Embassy of Belgium, invited Bart Adams,… – Continue reading

Reports finds U.S. financial secrecy worsening

WASHINGTON—The United States is one of the world’s most secret financial jurisdictions, according to a watchdog group’s new global ranking. The Tax Justice Network, an international think tank based in the United Kingdom, on Monday unveiled the 2015 Tax Secrecy Index, which lists the countries that most allow financial secrecy… – Continue reading

Financial transparency poor in Switzerland, Hong Kong, U.S., study says

TORONTO, Nov 2 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Switzerland, Hong Kong and the United States have the world’s worst records on combating financial secrecy that allows the wealthy to dodge taxes or hide their money, according to a study released on Monday. Most countries’ secrecy score improved in recent years as… – Continue reading

Reform of the U.S. tax code still needed for the nation’s economy

As the 2016 Presidential campaign heats up with debates and public appearances replete with the candidate’s opinions on the economy, ISIS, and education, among others, few candidates have mentioned the issue of corporate tax reform, especially as it relates to a level playing field between the U.S. and foreign markets,… – Continue reading

Fund industry must act now or face crunch time in the final countdown to Global FATCA, says Linedata

With the starting line for implementation only two months away, Justin Hayes, product manager at Linedata, the leading international software and technology provider, says fund administrators and investment managers need to get to grips with the OECD’s Common Reporting Standards, dubbed ‘Global FATCA’, before it’s too late. “Financial institutions in… – Continue reading

Australia out of step with global corporate tax rate trends

Australia’s corporate tax rate is higher than the global average, according to KPMG’s 2015 global tax rate survey, SmartCompany reports. While Australia’s corporate tax rate currently sits at 30 per cent, the global average sits at 23.68 per cent. The United States has the highest corporate tax rate at 40… – Continue reading

Linedata: The time is now for CRS

Investment managers and fund administrators should act now in order to be prepared for the Organisation for Co-operation and Development (OECD) Common Reporting Standard (CRS) ahead of the start of the first reporting period, according to Justin Hayes, product manager for Linedata. The CRS, sometimes called a global version of… – Continue reading

Fund industry must act now or face crunch time in the final countdown to Global FATCA

Sunday 1st November will mark two months until the start of the first reporting period under the OECD’s Common Reporting Standards (‘Global FATCA’). Justin Hayes, product manager at Linedata, comments on why there is now no time to waste for investment managers and fund administrators to prepare for the burdensome… – Continue reading

Ireland’s Finance Bill 2015 – key changes for international companies and financial institutions

Following the recent Irish budget statement (the “Budget”), the Finance Bill 2015 (the “Bill”) has been published and it implements the changes announced by the Irish Minister for Finance (the “Minister”). The Bill includes additional detail on: the new knowledge development box (“KDB”); and Ireland’s implementation of country by country… – Continue reading

Netherlands Sets Out Response To BEPS Reports

The Dutch Secretary for Finance, Eric Wiebes, has reported to the House of Representatives on the impact of the OECD’s base erosion and profit shifting project on Dutch tax rules. His letter, published on the Dutch Government website on October 19 in English, splits measures into those that concern domestic… – Continue reading

India: Foreign Tax Credits Available For Exempt Indian Income: Karnataka High Court

Foreign tax credit available to taxpayers even on a portion of exempt income. Exempt income (under section 10A) is chargeable to tax under section 4 and 5 of the ITA although no tax may actually be payable. Actual payment of the tax is not necessary for claiming foreign tax credits…. – Continue reading

Apple Stakes Raised as EU Orders Starbucks, Fiat Tax Repayments

Apple Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. got a preview of what the European Union may have in store for them after regulators ordered Starbucks Corp. and a Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV unit to repay millions of euros in back taxes. The EU said the coffee company and the Italian carmaker were… – Continue reading

Illicit flows worry ZRA

Zambia Revenue Authority-ZRA- Commissioner General Berlin Msiska says Africa needs to work together to address illegal Financial Flows. Mr Msiska says international cooperation is required because illegal financial flows affect all regions of the continent. He says African Tax administrations can achieve a more effective and efficient relationship through initiatives… – Continue reading

London Wants to Become the Center of Chinese Currency Trading

Three years ago, Chinese officials said U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron had “seriously damaged” relations by meeting with the Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan leader. As planned talks between the two countries were canceled or failed to take place, worries emerged that Britain would miss out on building deeper economic… – Continue reading

Bulgaria joins automatic exchange of financial account information agreement

Sofia. Bulgaria joins the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement on Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information, the press office of the Bulgarian cabinet announced. The agreement was signed by 51 jurisdictions on October 29, 2014 in the frames of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes… – Continue reading

EY: Four out of 10 Czech businessmen asked for bribe; Czech police reveal corruption in driving licenses for Germans; No. of Czech firms with owners in tax havens up in Q3

EY: Four out of 10 Czech businessmen asked for bribe Four out of 10 Czech entrepreneurs have been explicitly asked for a bribe and up to six out of 10 have encountered the possibility of gaining an advantage in their business in exchange for a bribe, according to a survey… – Continue reading

Putin Allies Said to Be Behind Scrutinized Deutsche Bank Trades

Several close associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin may have benefited from Deutsche Bank AG trades that are now coming under the glare of U.S. prosecutors, according to people familiar with the matter. The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating whether Germany’s biggest bank properly vetted as much as $6… – Continue reading

FACTA and the New Frontier in Offshore Reporting Enforcement

FATCA was passed to prevent U.S. citizens from evading tax by focusing primarily on foreign financial institutions with U.S. account holders. The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) was enacted as part of the 2010 Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act, and its provisions became effective as of 7/1/14. FATCA… – Continue reading

OECD lists the top 10 toughest countries on tax evasion

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is behind the new measures to automatically exchange tax information between nations and manage the differences on how tax issues are dealt with. Top ten countries The contractor management specialist CXC Global has identified the ten countries with the most aggressive approach… – Continue reading

Commerzbank agrees with prosecutors on fine for tax evasion -report

Oct 14 Germany’s Commerzbank has agreed with Cologne prosecutors to pay 17 million euros ($19.49 million) of fines for tax evasion, Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported on Wednesday, without citing the source of the information. Germany’s second biggest bank by market value is the country’s third lender after Hypovereinsbank and HSH Nordbank… – Continue reading

NBR to sign deal with Bhutan to avoid double taxation

Bangladesh is set to sign an agreement with Bhutan to avoid double taxation to boost investments, trade and facilitate information exchange between the two Saarc nations, the National Board of Revenue said in a statement. A team led by NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman is now in Thimpu to take… – Continue reading

Geneva Bank Jobs Fall to Lowest Since Crisis Amid Regulatory Woe

Banking jobs in Geneva slipped to the lowest level since the 2008 financial crisis amid regulatory pressures, tax scrutiny and consolidation in the Swiss finance industry, according to lobby group Geneva Financial Center. Employees at banks in the city fell 3 percent to 18,855 in the 12 months through August,… – Continue reading

GSK, Novartis and Crédit Suisse put Switzerland on a high

Swiss firms have bagged major business from global brands such as GSK, Novartis and Crédit Suisse this year, while their Asia ventures have come good. The legal minds behind the Glaxo-SmithKline and Novartis asset swap, global banking investigations, Schaeffler’s €2bn high yield bond issuance and Dufry’s £1.05bn takeover of Nuance… – Continue reading

IRELAND: KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT BOX; DETAILS EXPECTED IN 2016 BUDGET

Ireland’s budget 2016 will be announced tomorrow, 13 October 2015, and it is expected that additional detail on the research and development (R&D) tax incentive known as the “knowledge development box” would be provided in the budget 2016 statement. The “knowledge development box” is a tax rate for income generated… – Continue reading

Transnational laws needed to curb fires

To solve the problem of the haze afflicting Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, extraterritorial action is needed to quench the forest fires in Indonesia that are generating the haze. A cross-border solution is a necessary answer even if it raises questions of national sovereignty. The Singapore Government should implement laws that… – Continue reading

France: French Tax Update: Draft Finance Bill For 2016, New France/Germany Double Tax Treaty, And ECJ Steria Decision

This French Tax Update will focus on (i) the main provisions of the draft Finance Bill for 2016 (Projet de loi de finance pour 2016) issued by the French Government on September 30, 2015 and to be discussed before the French Parliament between October and December (“Draft Finance Bill for… – Continue reading

UPDATE 1-Germany wants monitoring of new regime to fight corporate tax dodging

Oct 8 (Reuters) – German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said on Thursday he would propose a monitoring scheme to ensure the full implementation of a proposed system to overhaul the way international companies are taxed. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) published proposals on Monday to change outdated… – Continue reading

OECD report not the last word on Ireland’s FDI corporation tax regime

The global war on corporate tax avoidance doesn’t look like being so gruesome after all. The OECD reckons that governments are losing out on at least €213bn per year from aggressive tax planning by multinationals, reports the Irish Independent. A new book by a Berkeley University economics professor estimates that… – Continue reading

Canada: International Tax Reform 2015-BEPS Final Reports

On October 5, 2015, the OECD released its final reports relating to the OECD/G20 base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) project (the Final Reports). The BEPS project began in 2013 and has received unprecedented attention from governments and the private sector. The Final Reports outline the OECD’s recommendations and the… – Continue reading