In this special extended edition of the May 2019 Taxcast we go to Preston in the North of England to see the Preston Model in action and how they're transforming their local economy and democratising wealth. Also: we discuss dark money and the European elections - the elite interests aligning … [Read more...]
Policy
Global Asset Registry workshop – 1-2 July, Paris: submit your paper
The Global Asset Registry workshop in Paris on July 1st and 2nd, 2019 is by invitation only. We will of course share the fruits of the workshop as we develop them further, but for now participation during Day 1 is open to anyone whose paper has been accepted. You can submit your proposal and … [Read more...]
The use of banking information to tackle corruption and money laundering: a low-hanging fruit the OECD refuses to harvest
Imagine that the OECD set up a global system of rules for exchanging apples across borders, so that everyone can enjoy apples of different tastes. Apple eaters were delighted. But then someone asked if the apples could be used to make apple juice. “Stop!” the OECD said. “The apples are only … [Read more...]
Social protection rights for women vs fear of alienating private interests at the UN
Last week marked the end of the 63rd Meeting of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW 63, March 11th-22nd 2019). More information and analysis is available here from the Global Alliance for Tax Justice, well worth a read. This series of events, meetings and deliberations is … [Read more...]
Does transparency REALLY put the rich and famous at risk?
Are the rich and famous at risk of blackmail, extortion or kidnapping if their names are disclosed in public beneficial ownership registries, as they like to argue in tax havens like Jersey? This was a question put to me last week at a conference tackling tax injustice in Nairobi, Kenya, organised … [Read more...]
How to assess the effectiveness of automatic exchange of banking information?
In December 2018 the OECD’s Global Forum published the new terms of reference to assess compliance with the OECD’s Common Reporting Standard (CRS) for automatic exchange of information. Two weeks later, the EU Commission published a report about automatic exchange of information within the EU. Both … [Read more...]
The European Union, tax evasion and closing loopholes: new report
Today, a new report commissioned by the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament and written by the Tax Justice Network's Andres Knobel demonstrates that despite progress in recent years on closing down opportunities for tax evasion, there are still significant loopholes for citizens and … [Read more...]
Extreme inequality levels in Bermuda despite its offshore services centre, in the Tax Justice Network’s August 2018 podcast
In the August 2018 Tax Justice Network monthly podcast/radio show, the Taxcast: Why are so many Bermudians leaving their beautiful island? And why have inequality levels become so extreme despite it's huge offshore services centre? We speak to Bermudian economist Robert Stubbs and hear from … [Read more...]
Blacklist, whitewashed: How the OECD bent its rules to help tax haven USA
We’ve criticised for years the farcical nature of ‘tax haven’ blacklists, whether EU or OECD ones. They all turn out to be politicised, misleading and ineffective. If you want an objectively verifiable ranking you need look no further than the Tax Justice Network’s Financial Secrecy Index. But … [Read more...]
Country by country reports: why “automatic” is no replacement for “public”
A critical battle is currently being waged in the international tax policy arena over the implementation of country by country reporting, a reporting process that deters and detects tax avoidance by multinational companies, among other things, by requiring companies to provide a global picture of … [Read more...]
It’s time for countries to start publishing the data they’re collecting under OECD’s Common Reporting Standard
Some financial centres already publish detailed data on cross-border bank account holdings. The OECD’s Common Reporting Standard is now underway, generating lots of this data: it’s time to publish it all. This would cost nothing, breach no confidentiality, and deliver large benefits. Another 50 … [Read more...]
M5S – Lega Nord tax plans would be a disaster for Italy
The leader of Italy's far right Lega Nord has described the potential coalition with the populist five star movement (M5S) as a 'bomb' for Italy's political establishment. It certainly will be a bomb for tax justice, Italy's public services and economic and social equality in Italy. Two of the … [Read more...]
Guest blog: Tax incentives – common ground between business and civil society?
Tax incentives - common ground between business and civil society By Oliver Pearce, Oxfam Tax Policy Advisor Tax is a highly contested issue, but there is more common ground than might be thought. A new paper published by the Confederation of British Business (CBI) and development NGOs Action … [Read more...]
OECD rules vs CRS avoidance strategies: not bad, but short of teeth and too dependent on good faith
The OECD's Model Mandatory Disclosure rules for CRS avoidance strategies are not bad in our opinion, but short of teeth and far too dependent on good faith by rogue intermediaries and taxpayers... On March 9th, 2018 the OECD published the Model Mandatory Disclosure Rules for CRS Avoidance … [Read more...]
Regulation of Beneficial Ownership in Latin America and the Caribbean
My paper - Andres Knobel - on “Regulation of Beneficial Ownership in Latin America and the Caribbean” which I wrote for the Inter-American Development Bank is now available in Spanish and English here. The paper, published in November 2017, provides an explanation on the concept, obstacles and … [Read more...]
