Tax Justice
This section offers analysis and commentary on both international tax policy and Switzerland's international tax policy.
The blemishes of the clean money strategy
Switzerland’s Finance Department must work out detailed provisions for a «clean money strategy» by June. The benchmarks presented by the Government are hardly suitable. Effective measures in favour of poor countries are still lacking. ...>>
Rearming tax haven Switzerland?
A parliamentary motion is obliging the Swiss Government to look for new loopholes for foreign tax dodgers. Introducing trusts and front companies like those available in the UK and the USA should open up new opportunities for the Swiss financial centre. ...>>
Financial Secrecy Index 2011
Switzerland contributes more than any other country to international tax evasion and the concealment of other illicit financial transactions. That much emerges from the new Financial Secrecy Index put out by the international Tax Justice Network. The USA and the UK too come off rather badly. ...>>
Double taxation agreements: support for tax dodgers
The new Swiss double taxation agreements with developing countries provide for international administrative assistance against tax evasion by individuals. They simultaneously limit the scope for partner countries to tax financial transfers by multinational corporations. ...>>
Tax dodging by multinationals: Zug tricks Ghana
Multinational corporations use accounting tricks to deprive developing countries of billions in tax revenues every year. Using the example of the beverage manufacturer SABMiller, a new report from the British NGO ActionAid shows how these tricks work and the ugly role played by Switzerland in the process – and how it undermines a Seco programme in Ghana. ...>>
