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Category Archives: Tax avoidance

EU commits to tax cooperation

15-May-08

At yesterday’s ECOFIN meeting the EU increased its commitment to tax cooperation to tackle tax evasion. It said:

TAX ISSUES IN AGREEMENTS WITH THIRD COUNTRIES - Council conclusions
The Council adopted the following conclusions:
“The Council:
1. CONSIDERS that recent events involving tax fraud and evasion have proven the need to tackle this throughout the world and to reinforce […]

CDC plc

14-May-08

CDC plc had a letter in the Independent this morning. They said:

Sir: Few will doubt the sincerity of Christian Aid’s motives in drawing attention to child poverty in developing countries (”Tax evasion ‘costs lives of 5.6m children’ “, 12 May) but the charity misrepresents some basic facts about CDC, the UK development finance institution.
It is […]

An answer the Right have to supply

13-May-08

The Right are out in force, commenting on the Christian Aid report. I wrote this in reply on the Spectator blog this morning:

There’s always an excuse for greed. Ample are on display here.
There’s always an excuse not to do the right thing.
There’s always an excuse to walk on the other side.
You clearly know them all.
Christian […]

Transfer pricing abuse in Vietnam

13-May-08

Thanhniennews.com has reported:

At the [Vietnamese] National Assembly session, the government filed a report saying 2006’s tax revenues collected from foreign-invested businesses were around VND1.97 trillion (US$122 million) less than expected. The government attributed the discrepancy to the slow growth of the automobile and tobacco markets.
But the explanation was met by harsh opposition from other deputies. […]

The only hope

13-May-08

I have the following letter in the London Evening Standard today in response to a comment made yesterday by Anthony Hilton that Gordon Brown has run a dual track economic policy:

Gordon Brown has indeed run a dual economy: one for the people and companies of the UK; another for the itinerant people and companies he […]

How to pay for the 10p tax rate clawback

12-May-08

I have been asked this question yet again today. I have a five step plan:
1) Increase the tax threshold at which tax is paid by £1,000 for everyone. For most people this will reduce their tax liability by £200 - the value that (near enough) the 10p band gave them;
2) Reduce the standard rate band […]

TUC to be on tax review

12-May-08

It’s been rumoured that the TUC is to be included in Alastair Darling’s review of corporation tax.
I can confirm, the rumour is true.
That’s one down.
Now, how about civil society as well?
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Tax avoidance day

12-May-08

I know it’s the start of Christian Aid week, and I know they’re talking about tax, but it also seems to be tax avoidance day in the Guardian.
They point out that those seeking to get round the government’s proposed new rules for taxing the foreign income of companies by moving to Ireland are tax avoiders, […]

Christian Aid: Death and Taxes

12-May-08

This is Christian Aid week in the UK.
Christian Aid launches its annual report linked to that week today. It is called Death and Taxes.
As they say:

The lives of 1,000 young children a day are being lost to disease and poverty in poor countries because of illegal trade-related tax evasion, says a new report from Christian […]

Africa has lost $607 billion

10-May-08

The Tax Justice Network for Africa issued this press release today:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 10, 2008
Lusaka, Zambia
Africa has lost $607 billion (US).
Equitable taxation not aid will end the looting of Africa: Tax Justice Network for Africa

Africa’s revolving door
Capital flight from Africa is devastating development at an alarming rate. It deprives Africa of investment and further exacerbates […]

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