In the Tax Justice Network's monthly podcast, the Taxcast:

• we cover the story the mainstream media aren't telling you — how governments around the world are undermining our tax collection services. We look at how the South Africa Revenue Service was established in very challenging times to become a world class institution. Yet also how quickly such achievements can be set back…
• Also, as all eyes turn to Central Banks during this coronavirus pandemic, we ask who are they serving? And how do people forge a new relationship and a new role for them that fits modern times? We look at the profound implications of a little-known court ruling this month in Karlsruhe by the German Constitutional Court concerning the actions of the European Central Bank — the second-most important central bank in the world

A transcript of the programme is available here (it won't be 100% accurate)

Featuring:

• Johann van Loggerenberg, formerly of the South African Revenue Service and author of Death and Taxes: How SARS made hitmen, drug dealers and tax dodgers pay their dues
• John Christensen of the Tax Justice Network
• Cathy Cross, Parliamentary Officer, PCS union & Board Member, Tax Justice Network and two tax office staff in London
• John Koskinen, former IRS Commissiooner, Kevin Brady, Republican representative on Fox News
•  Journalist Paul Kiel of ProRepublica

Presented and produced by Naomi Fowler of the Tax Justice Network.

“It was known as the higher purpose…it was certainly one of the reasons why I think the revenue service was able to over the years grow and develop and become this world class institution that it did ultimately become. It was not just a job. It was a heart and mind labour of love.”

~ Johann van Loggerenberg, formerly of the South African Revenue Service and author of Death and Taxes: How SARS made hitmen, drug dealers and tax dodgers pay their dues

This court ruling coming out of Karlsruhe might lead to a rethink about the role of central banks in the 21st century. To whom should they be accountable, whose interests are being served by the charade of political independence and how can we make central banks accountable to the public they notionally serve?”

~ John Christensen of the Tax Justice Network

Further reading:

• The Death of the Central Bank Myth, Adam Tooze
• Resourcing and refocusing HMRC, Cathy Cross, Parliamentary Officer, PCS union & Board Member
• How the IRS Was Gutted, Paul Kiel and Jesse Eisinger
• Death and Taxes: How SARS made hitmen, drug dealers and tax dodgers pay their dues by Johann van Loggerenberg, formerly of the South African Revenue Service