If you want to know why the domicile rule survives despite the very obvious abuses it permits note this in an email I have just received: It survives because the tax profession and banks make money from it. And they are the people who are too close to writing too much tax law. And so this
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I liked this comment in the Economist yesterday in an article discussing the problems with automatic information exchange from tax havens under the OECD’s proposed Common Reporting Standard (CRS): The OECD hopes that upright financial firms will turn in rivals that abet tax evasion once the CRS kicks in, if only to stop them stealing business.
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Cooperatives UK have issued the following press release that I am pleased to share: The UK co-operative sector, worth £37 billion to the British economy, has agreed a partnership with the Fair Tax Mark, an initiative that enables businesses to demonstrate to consumers that they deal with tax transparently and fairly. In the context of
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I am aware that Emma Thompson and Greg Wise are threatening to go on tax strike until HSBC are prosecuted for assisting tax evasion. I admire their conviction and courage and wish them well but cannot suggest that others follow their action. The penalties for paying taxes due later than law requires are substantial and
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I have been noticing some commentary of late asking the question ‘what is the Fair Tax Mark for?’ I think it appropriate to answer that question given I was the creator of the idea and am a director of the Fair Tax Mark. The objects of the Fair Tax Mark are relatively straightforward. In an
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Simon Caulkin is, in my opinion, one of the best business witers there is. He’s written a powerful piece on why it is hard to be an optimist now which includes this telling, and I think true,paragraph:  Let’s face it, if the private sector, the engine room of capitalism, is now too feeble to keep people
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There is an elephant in the room at the next election that no one will name. It’s not austerity, although it is closely related to it. The elephant is the question that floored Natalie Bennett of the Greens this week, and is the automatic response of any questioner to any proposal that any politician makes,
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FT Alphaville reported last night (and because of the importance of the issue I quote extensively): We know central banks have the power to support asset classes and to move markets, and do so frequently in the name of financial stability. But are there other social threats that could be stabilised or mitigated by central
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I probably shouldn’t be blogging at 6 this morning, but if you’re lying awake feeling darned uncomfortable what else is there to do? Be warned though: moderation may be slow, at best, today if I carry on feeling like this.