The Independent has reported Gibraltar's response to the King of Spain's comments on the future of The Rock yesterday. The Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo, said
The concept of human rights and democracy means that the wishes of people must come first, as much of His Majesty the King of Spain's address to Westminster Hall rightly identified.
And:
In Gibraltar the people have spoken loud and clear. Our freely expressed democratic wishes must be respected and that means understanding Gibraltar will remain 100% British.
That's fine, but there are conditions attached.
Apply British taxes if you're so British.
Stop your abusive gaming laws.
Operate to British standards of openness and transparency in corporate accounting.
And end your participation in abusive tax competition.
Then you'd be British. But right now you're a threat to the well-being of this country, and we all know it. So an end to the duplicity would be appreciated.
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Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory.
Just like Jersey, Gurnsey etc etc, we have owm economy and tax regime. This is due in great part to Britain not offering Gibraltar full UK status like France did with all its colonies. This duplicity you refer to is down to the UK Government.
Gibraltar is financially self sufficient because it has had to be, and does not receive handouts from anyone.
Why don’t you refer to all the different tax regimes within British Territories like Isle of Man, Jersey, Gurnsey etc.
The usual abuse justifying drivel
And the usual ignorance that I say the same of all Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories
Jonathan
Richard does say the same for all CD and OT’s.
Read his blog and then react. He’s not just pick on Gib’.
You must not forget that Gib of all places houses a great many people with mighty inferiority complexes
Or so their comment would suggest
We apply British (Gibraltarian) taxes, and raise sufficient for our needs with a financial surplus. Why tax more than needed? Our gaming laws are EU compliant. We already operate transparently, and have TIEAs with many countries, including the USA and EU. We are not a threat to “this country” (be that UK or Spain, unclear where your allegiances are), we are a strategic MOD/NATO base and the 2nd largest employer in Andalusia. You are playing into the Spanish government’s hands by joining in their media frenzy, all a smokescreen to cover up hundreds of corruption cases involving thousands of politicians, which remove billions from the Spanish economy every year.
Because you want to be part of the UK, or so I hear your so called chief minister say
That’s fine, But being British means playing by our rules
We play by them just fine. They are enshrined in our constitution, agreed with the UK. We are a separate tax jurisdiction, so do not need to have the same levels of tax as UK (but have the same rules, you deliberately confuse “rules” and “rates of tax”). We are ahead of most EU countries in transposing EU law, and co-operate fully when requested on tax and other queries (including those from Spain). We do not need to tax higher- we already operate a surplus. We operate by the same unwritten rules of fair play. We are well aware that our neighbours do not. Franco himself said “I make a fuss about Gibraltar when i don’t want people looking at me”. This policy continues today, with the Spanish press switching from Venezuela to Gibraltar on cue to cover up domestic corruption. I fear you may be an unwitting accomplice in this cover-up.
You’re either part of Britain or not
If you are, pay
If you don’t want to pay, go
And as for tax abuse, see this http://www.financialsecrecyindex.com/PDF/Gibraltar.pdf
You are only deluding yourself when you deny that Gibraltar is not a secrecy jurisdiction, with all that goes with it
Being 55th in a ranking of secrecy jurisdictions doesn’t seem so bad. If the table was turned up side down, then Gibraltar would be above average for transparency.
New gaming tech could affect Gibraltar though in the next few years. Here’s an example of how blockchain technology could disrupt the model of more traditional exchanges
https://www.racingpost.com/news/comment/technology-that-could-revolutionise-gambling-and-change-the-world/285183
I’d still join the Army if Gibraltar’s self-determination was seriously threatened, and I’m sure that Gibraltarians would do the same for us in the UK. Common defence and allies and all that.
67 is a poor secrecy score
Don’t hear you complaining about the Channel Isles, IoM, etc. Threat to the well being of this country indeed??? If only we were so dedicatedly British. Spanish clients to appease then? Hmmmm… Even the EU said all was above board with Gib financial structures and that’s saying something.
Oh for heaven’s sake; I spend countless hours on them too
M Newman
He does talk about the channel islands etc.,!! Use the search engine and actually read the blog why don’t you!?
M Newman.
Richard does note the channel islands and other DC’s and OT’s. Use the search engine here and read what he says about them.
If you search “Jersey” on this blog you will find over 40 pages of search results, and over 50 for “Isle of Man”. Given that each page has 9 results on it, that makes 360 posts on Jersey and 450 on Isle of Man.
Gilbratar on the other hand has a ‘mere’ 8 pages, thus 72 posts.
So maybe try engaging with actual facts before hurredly replying to a dog whistle from someone in the protect Gibraltar camp.
Thanks
IIRC a university professor once told me that Gibraltan residents receive a sort of government dividend from their tax haven activities, of a significant amount. I can’t remember whether I imagined this though as I can’t find any reference to this online. Any idea if this is true?
Not heard of it…
As a Gibraltarian I can tell you now that is a load of rubbish.and you really need to do your homework better 1 gibraltar is not a tax haven and 2 you talk about trasparency .Gibraltar is more transparent that most company’s in the uk
This is risible
And the world knows it
So stop being silly
Hi,
It’s Gibraltarians not Gibraltans. Would be grateful if you could obtain more information on the divident part cause I’m a Gibraltarian and I’ve never heard of it. Wouldn’t like to be missing out on it… Hahaha.
Strange to read these comments.
Apply British Taxes:
Tax in Britain is tailored to the needs of Britain. Equally, tax in Gibraltar is tailored to the needs of Gibraltar.
Stop abusive gaming las:
The abusing of such laws is Britain’s. The proof is that gaming companies have found them so ABUSIVEKY HIGH they have had to seek where there is no such abuse to move to.
British Standards of Openness…
Gibraltar is well up in the listbof top ten bst regulated finance centres…. Is that not enough?
End participation in abusive tax competition…
Wait fir it, my friend, as see what UK will do once Brexit is done. UK will offer the keenest taxes this side of the Atlantic!
And now a question for you, if l may ….. Who has put you up to this?
Is it hatrd, jealousy or a handsome gift that made you spill bile today?
Wow! What a warped mind you have
I have worked for fifteen years to end tax haven abuse that costs billions in the world the chance of the life they deserve
And that’s hatred and jealousy is it?
As for the handsome gift; I suspect many in Gibraltar know all about them but I just have a salary that is largely EU funded. Blame them if you like, but you seem anxious to be a part of it, as part of Britain, of course
Biggest Bullshit i have wver heard, wish the governemtn gave me some dividends of the tax
I actually play on the Gibraltar gaming sites and have had largish wins confiscated where they quote unenforceable terms and conditions – I am aware of other people who have had similar issues. It’s the wild west out there for online casinos/books
CMA is doing an investigation
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-launches-enforcement-action-against-gambling-firms
Spanish apologist with a very poor knowledge of tax.
Imagine having countries set their own tax rates, huh!
Numptey
You guys really do your research before offering the abuse, don’t you?
Here comes Mr Murphy AGAIN with his inflamatory comments prior to the release of yet another of his boring taxation books. Make some controversial comments about Gibraltar and earn the publicity stunt.
We already know you and your ways Mr Duplicity…..so please talk about London City for a change instead of searching for free air time to promote yourself.
Funny you always come up with these comments about Gib whilst its on the international limelight LOL. You work to the same tune time and time again.
Mr Murphy already gave his analysis of Gib’s taxation system ages ago, why repeat yourself….you are not precisely The Unfair Taxation Martyr working from an exemplary institution for Vertical Equity.
Beware people of Gibraltar…if you search well probably you will find the imminent release of a book….you are all victims of his parasitic marketing campaign.
BTW….before accused, yes I am simply just another member of the protect Gibraltar camp and proud of it.
Actually, there is no book coming right now
Just for the record
Then have it checked by a doctor….that fixation doesn’t sound good.
Anyway Mr Murphy, hope you enjoy your summer
Wow. I know nothing about Gibralta’s tax regime but it seems as if you’ve touched a nerve there, Richard. Many moons ago I had a marginal involvement with a meat processor who used to import then illegal meat from Africa via Gibralta, where it was given the requisite authentication. So I’ve always assumed it wasn’t the pinnacle of propriety.
What like the horse meat scandal in the UK and Europe? You find rogues everywhere. One connection to Gibraltar on ine scandal and you assume it is not the pinnacle if proprietry…
The old bad apple argument, eh? Always rolls out
I am appalled at your lack of research, lack of facts , lack of understanding, lack of contact with reality lack of everything really! I know you are familiar with other European jurisdictions that offer favourable tax regimes like for example Ireland. Gibraltar is not a tax haven. It has a well regulated Finance Centre that complies with its obligations. I will say no more on this other than you are misinformed and certainly misguided.
The UK contributes nothing to Gibraltar’s economy. If we were funded like any other part of the UK then I could at least try to understand where you are coming from but try as I might I can only come to the conclusion that you must have some ulterior motive other than the tax fairness horn you seem to bleat.
Come up with undeniable proof and maybe you will have some credibility. This is not the first time you attack Gibraltar and frankly your accusations and reasoning is pathetic. I think its time you acquired some professional maturity once and for all!
I am the co-author of the most taught book in the world on tax havens
But very obviously I have done no research
Just because you write a book it does not mean you are right neither does it mean that your research is valid, not skewed or biased.
If that is your best answer then I rest my case!
395 citations suggests the academic world does not agree with you
But what the heck?
The ‘we are a well regulated regime’ line is not really the point. The point is that those who wish to hide in secrecy can, and do.
Again conjecture. Proof… I can tell you there is transparency and regulated companies comply with their reporting obligations. You make a sweeping statement… it is your belief but your belief dies not make it a truth
I can tell you you don’t know because you have no evidence
With all due respect your arguments are weak Richard. My comments come from direct experience
Your experience is inevitably limited
My argument is systemic and widely supported: why do you think so many international demands for reform have been made?
The academic world… is made up if 395 citations… really thats it? How long ago did you write you book? How old is your research?
What is the name of your book? Maybe I will read it…. see if its more convincing than the arguments you expose here
Search me and tax havens on your favourite book site
That one was 2010
‘Dirty secrets’ is more recent
Well bless my cotton socks, crooks don’t like being called crooks, who’d of thunk it.
I genuinely beleive that they do see themselves as crooks.
We follow the City of London’s model. Start there and Call us when you are done.
What amazes me is your small mindedness
I have written countless articles criticising the City but none of you know that, or the fact that I criticise the Crown Dependencies, and so on
Which suggests that Gibraltar does organised astro-trolling