Thursday, March 15, 2018

Gold For Visa



I was very interested to hear Mark Liebler’s speech – he raised some thought-provoking points about power, positive cultural change, scrutiny and humanity. It was the Tax Institute’s advertisement for Mark’s presentation that helped spur thoughts for my address today…

Commissioner Chris Jordan, AO- Keynote address to the Tax Institute 33rd National Convention

Tax commissioner Chris Jordan blames tax agents for work expense ...



Gold for visas OCCRP
In the Gold for Visas project, reporters for OCCRP probe the shadowy business of selling visa-free travel and even citizenship to the rich, including some who would rather not say where that money comes from. These stories were produced as part of the Global Anti-Corruption Consortium, a partnership between OCCRP and Transparency International, in cooperation with Global Witness.
Assessing Austerity: Monitoring the human rights impacts of fiscal consolidation Center for Economic and Social Rights (CESR)
Multinational Corporations wary of sharing global details with Indian tax sleuths The Economic Times
European Parliament sends express delegation to Slovakia to investigate the murder of Slovak investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his partner Martina Kušnírová Sven Giegold
Unprecedented corporate bribery trial begins against Shell, Eni, CEO and executives Global Witness
See also: Italy court postpones to May 14 trial of Eni, Shell over alleged corruption in Nigeria Reuters
The secret insider terms used in Chinese money laundering Quartz
‘International money laundering is so pervasive that two telling phrases have reportedly entered the Chinese lexicon: “BVI” and “White Gloves.” Both reflect the global nature of kleptocracy, with Western actors and countries profiting off money moved from developing countries.’
A mysterious, Russian-linked shell company. An ex-Trump aide. A plot to stir up trouble in the Balkans? Mother Jones

Wisdom with inheritance is good, better than without Quote
Anne Bradstreet Money Quote
Macedonia: ex Anti-Graft Chief in Corruption Scandal OCCRP
Billionaire Safra’s Swiss bank could make ‘large’ acquisition Bloomberg
Paul Manafort Was Stupid or Unlucky. Most Money Launderers Get Away With It. Politico
‘The world is doing a terrible job of cracking down on illicit financial flows. Here’s why.’
Canadian government promises crackdown on loopholes that let big banks avoid billions in taxes The Toronto Star
Britain’s White-Collar Cops Are Getting Too Good at Their Job Bloomberg Businessweek
‘In the era of Brexit, not everyone wants the Serious Fraud Office to chase rich wrongdoers out of the country.’
Welcome to tax haven UK, where the lawyers don’t bother to comply with the law Tax Research UK
UK company linked to laundered Bitcoin billions BBC News
Human rights principles to assess austerity are needed, says UN expert Press Release: United Nations – Human Rights – Officer of the High Commissioner
See also: UN expert: Switzerland must do more to combat ‘dirty money’ swissinfo
A Murdered Journalist’s Last Investigation: The Model, the Mafia, and the Murderers OCCRP
Britain’s overseas territories – Post imperial dilemmas British Politics Review
TJN chair John Christensen is a contributor.
Star Ghana Initiative Promotes ‘Progressive Tax’ Regime Ghana Nation
European Parliament – New tax special committee: New money laundering scandals must be investigated immediately Sven Giegold
Dirty money in Panama openDemocracy
U.S.: Amazon Inc. Paid Zero in Federal Taxes in 2017, Gets $789 Million Windfall from New Tax Law ITEP

If you want to feel rich, count the things you have that money can't buy.

If you want to feel rich, count the things you have that money can't buy.
EU says Ireland’s Apple complaint will only be dropped if it recovers the full $16 billion in unpaid taxes CNBC
Corporate tax issue rears its head again for Ireland The Irish Times
Brazil Prosecutor Asks Court to Silence the Head of Police OCCRP
How can we ensure that tax evaders and aggressive tax avoiders do not profit from taxpayer-funded public procurement contracts? Fair Tax Mark
Will Trump’s US tax agency nominee help rein in offshore holdings? ICIJ
How the super-wealthy hide billions using tax havens and shell companies Business Insider
The super-rich are being drawn to Italy by low tax rates, official says Australian Financial Review
Slovakian journalist investigating claims of tax fraud linked to ruling party shot dead The Guardian
See also: Slovakian journalism’s darkest day Politico
‘Africa’s Satellite’ Avoided Millions Using A Very African Tax Scheme ICIJ
India’s Bank of Baroda Played a Key Role in South Africa’s Gupta Scandal OCCRP
EU plans new tax for tech giants up to 5 percent of gross revenues Reuters
Brussels vows to push ahead with digital tax plans aimed at tech giants City A.M.
Apple loses legal battle with French tax activists BBC News
EU says Ireland’s Apple complaint will only be dropped if it recovers the full $16 billion in unpaid taxes CNBC
See also: Irish taxman sees disputed Apple bill remaining around $16 billion Reuters
Watchdog probes Swiss banks over links to Venezuela graft case Reuters
See also: Swiss Banks Investigated Over Venezuelan ‘Money Laundering’ teleSUR
UK minister rebuffs call to make tax havens reveal company owners The Guardian
‘MPs call for action against money laundering and tax avoidance in overseas territories’
Bid to clean up shell firms is hit by trade in fake owners Herald Scotland
Russian millions laundered via UK firms, leaked report says The Guardian
How to Hide a Russian Fortune on the French Riviera OCCRP
Report: Russia Laundered Millions via Danske Bank Estonia OCCRP
Netherlands: Minister ready to get tough on shell companies, tax haven claims DutchNews.nl
How to tackle the shell companies that fund corruption and terrorism Newsweek / Council on Foreign Relations
Indian agency probing 100 shell companies for links to bank fraud case Reuters
The Mayor of Belgrade’s Multiplying Bank Accounts OCCRP
The UK has been in a corporation tax race to the bottom since 2010. It’s no surprise the EU has noticed Tax Research UK
UK: Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) chair-elect admits error of judgment over tax avoidance scheme The Guardian
New Hedge-Fund Tax Dodge Triggers Wild Rush Back Into Delaware Bloomberg
Corporations rely on a healthy functioning society but think they shouldn’t have to pay for it Left Foot Forward
By TJN Senior Adviser Prem Sikka