Stories that are tagged 'offshore banking'

	Swiss Asset Managers Slam 'Incoherent' Financial Centre Strategy 5/16/2012 During its general assembly in Zurich, the Swiss Association of Asset Managers criticized the government’s ‘white money strategy’, a new financial market policy geared towards the management of taxed assets, calling instead for a coherent strategy for the Swiss financial centre.
	IRS Non-Resident Reporting Rule Questioned Again 5/16/2012 The Treasury Department’s failure to provide sufficient answers about Internal Revenue Service regulations requiring United States banks to disclose interest paid to non-resident aliens has prompted the House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Charles Boustany to request additional information.
	San Marino Urged To Consider New Economic Model 5/11/2012 Despite a 15% decline in tax revenues in San Marino over the past two years, authorities have been able to maintain a comparatively low deficit. However, the most significant challenges relate to the stability of the nation's banking sector, which has suffered capital flight as tax transparency initiatives gain ground, a new International Monetary Fund report says.
	IMF Identifies Risks In Swiss Banking Sector 5/11/2012 The International Monetary Fund has said in its latest Article IV consultation with Switzerland that, while the fiscal position is healthy, there remain a number of risks to the country's financial services sector, amid the possibility of a real estate bubble.
	Turks And Caicos Takes Strides Towards Self-Rule 5/10/2012 The provisional Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Ric Todd, has released a report detailing progress made towards fundamental reforms to the island's frameworks to prevent corruption, and correct fiscal imbalances, deemed necessary before the islands are returned to self-rule by the UK government.
	Hungary To Abolish Bank Tax 5/11/2012 The Hungarian government has announced plans to halve the country’s bank tax in 2013, before subsequently abolishing the levy in 2014.
	Italy, Switzerland Agree To Tax Talks 5/11/2012 Following the recent positive developments with regard to the tax treaties between Switzerland and various European Union member states, a meeting held on May 9 between Swiss and Italian officials has agreed to the establishment of a working group to resolve the outstanding tax problems between their two countries.
	Financial Crisis Hits Jersey Finance Industry Profits 5/10/2012 The Jersey government's latest statistical report shows a significant decline in the profitability and size of the nation's financial services industry since the start of the financial crisis, putting pressure on Jersey tax receipts. Recent figures for 2011, however, show modest signs of improvements.
	Rajoy Eyes Taxpayer Funds To Shore Up Ailing Banks 5/10/2012 Marking a dramatic about-turn, Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has confirmed that he is no longer ruling out the idea of using taxpayers’ money to support ailing banks in Spain to avert a crisis and to restore confidence.
	Jersey Enhances Regulatory Cooperation With Germany 5/9/2012 The Jersey Financial Services Commission has announced the signing of a cooperation agreement to boost its relationship with the German banking, insurance and investment firms' regulator, the Bundesanstalt fur Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht.
	Offshore Merger And Acquisition Activity Rises 5/9/2012 A new report from Appleby shows that transaction values for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in major offshore financial centers rose by 25% in the first quarter of 2012.
	Left Demands Improvements To Swiss-German Tax Deal 5/7/2012 Despite cracks appearing in cross-party relations, Germany’s red-green federal states, governed by both the Social Democrats and by the Green Party, are said to remain united in their firm opposition to the Swiss-German tax deal, and in their demands for improvements to be made to the text.
	Swiss Left Seeks To Delay Debate On Tax Deals 5/4/2012 Switzerland’s Social Democrats have threatened to block in parliament the landmark withholding tax agreements concluded recently with Germany, the UK and Austria, if the treaties are not in accordance with the party line.
	HMRC Will Not Appeal Stamp Duty Ruling 5/3/2012 The UK tax authority, HM Revenue and Customs, will no longer seek to impose Stamp Duty Reserve Tax on the issue of shares to depositary receipt issuers and clearance services outside the European Union following a recent legal ruling.
	HKMA Reviews Its Progress In 2011 5/3/2012 In addition to its actions to strengthen further the risk management of banks through its supervisory actions and countercyclical measures on property mortgages, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority pointed, in its 2011 Annual Report, to its support to the further expansion of renminbi market activities in Hong Kong.
	India Obtains TIE Relaxations From Switzerland 5/2/2012 According to a statement from the India’s Ministry of Finance, the Indian and Swiss governments have signed a protocol to their bilateral double taxation agreement, which will allow for a 'liberal interpretation' of the identity requirements before the exchange of information.
	Dutch PM Confirms Bank Tax Rise 5/2/2012 The caretaker Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte has confirmed that the country's proposed bank tax will be increased as part of the government's latest budget agreement, designed to reduce the deficit to 3% of gross domestic product next year.
	Barbados Targets US Investors 5/2/2012 Barbados's Prime Minister Freundel Stuart has highlighted the advantages of doing business in the territory for United States investors as the US Chamber of Commerce prepares to launch an office in the country this year.
	Ireland, US In Talks Over FATCA 5/1/2012 Ireland and the United States are in talks to establish a common approach to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, drawing on domestic and international tax legislation and treaties.
	Di Pietro Calls For Tax Treaty With Switzerland 5/1/2012 Antonio di Pietro, the former anti-corruption magistrate and present leader of the Italia dei Valori opposition party, has written in his blog that the Italian government should now be looking to garner the EUR40bn (USD53bn) in tax revenue that could be available by concluding a tax treaty with Switzerland.
	UK, EU Talk 'Shadow Banking' Regulation 5/1/2012 At a conference on ‘shadow banking’ in Brussels, both Michel Barnier, European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, and Paul Tucker, the Bank of England’s Deputy Governor for Financial Stability, have outlined their views on policies for its better regulation.
	Switzerland To Conclude TIEAs 4/27/2012 The Swiss Federal Council has recently taken the decision to agree to the international standard on administrative assistance not only in double taxation agreements, but also in so-called tax information exchange agreements.
	German Cabinet Adopts Swiss Tax Deal 4/30/2012 The German cabinet has recently adopted the bill implementing the bilateral tax agreement with Switzerland.
	EP Committee Seeks Wider FTT Net 4/30/2012 The Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee of the European Parliament has said in a recently adopted resolution that the European Commission’s proposed financial transaction tax should be better designed in order to capture more traders and to make evading it unprofitable.
	Barbados's Tax Transparency Framework Endorsed 4/27/2012 The Barbados government has welcomed recognition from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development that its legislative and regulatory framework for the exchange of tax information meets international standards.
	New Taxes In Hungary's Euro Plan 4/26/2012 The Hungarian government has recently adopted the second part of its ‘Szell Kalman’ plan, forming part of the country’s euro convergence programme and containing new tax measures to help shore up its revenue base.
	Bermuda Concludes Marketing Push In China 4/26/2012 Business Bermuda, the promotional agency for the territory's financial services industry, has concluded a week-long business development and relationship-building trip in Shanghai and Beijing mirroring the decisions of other small, low-tax, financial centres targeting the region as a new source of financial services growth.
	France Publishes Revised 2012 'Black List' 4/26/2012 French Finance Minister François Baroin and Budget Minister Valérie Pécresse have recently updated the country’s ‘black list’ of countries deemed to be ‘uncooperative’ in tax matters.
	Swiss Parliament Adopts Tax Deal With Austria 4/25/2012 Switzerland’s Federal Council has recently adopted the text of the withholding tax agreement with Austria.
	Jersey Builds Business Relationship With UAE 4/24/2012 Jersey Treasury Minister Philip Ozouf has arrived in the United Arab Emirates as part of a three-day official visit to promote Jersey's offerings as an international financial centre.
	London Invokes Clause To Improve Swiss Tax Deal 4/24/2012 In a diplomatic note, the UK has called for changes to be made to the bilateral withholding tax agreement concluded with Switzerland last October, aimed at resolving the issue of the undeclared wealth of British residents held in Swiss banks.
	French Banks Defend Tax Policies 4/23/2012 The heads of two top banks in France have recently defended the banks’ policies and actions to senators, as part of a Senate committee’s ongoing enquiry into capital flight.
	Swiss Lawmakers To Examine German, UK Tax Deals 4/23/2012 The Swiss Federal Council has recently submitted to parliament the bilateral withholding tax agreements with Germany and the UK, together with the Federal Act on International Withholding Tax, designed to implement the new agreements.
	SVG's Tax Transparency Endorsed 4/20/2012 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has welcomed the adoption of a report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development that confirms the territory has adequate frameworks in place to meet international standards on tax transparency and information exchange.
	Liechtenstein, Sweden TIEA Enters Into Force 4/19/2012 The bilateral tax information exchange agreement between Liechtenstein and Sweden has now entered into force, following ratification of the treaty by the relevant contracting parties.
	German Bank Tax Yields Meagre Rewards 4/20/2012 Germany’s controversial bank tax is expected to yield meagre revenues this year of just EUR500m (USD655m), well below the government’s original target figure, and below the EUR590m derived from the levy last year, according to recent reports.
	IRS Issues Final Non-Resident Reporting Rule 4/18/2012 The Treasury Department has issued the final regulations on the reporting to the Internal Revenue Service of interest paid to non-residents by United States banks from January 1, 2013.
	Liechtenstein, Austria Eye Withholding Tax Deal 4/18/2012 Austria reportedly plans to re-launch talks with Liechtenstein at the end of April, aimed at negotiating a bilateral tax deal between the two countries to resolve the issue of untaxed assets held by Austrian residents in the Principality’s banks.
	Italy Delays Transaction Reporting For Banks 4/18/2012 The Italian Revenue Agency has delayed the obligation on banks and other financial institutions to identify transactions subject to value-added tax and of an amount over EUR3,600, that will have to be electronically reported to the tax authorities as part of the government’s efforts to increase tax compliance.
	Swiss Bankers Welcome Tax Deal With Austria 4/18/2012 The Swiss Bankers Association has recently taken note of the signing of the bilateral tax agreement between Switzerland and Austria, and has welcomed the fact that the Confederation’s strategy for tax conformity, defined over two years ago, has now been substantiated with a third European country following the agreements signed with the UK and with Germany.
	Switzerland Stands Firm On Revised German Tax Deal 4/17/2012 Staunchly defending the importance of the bilateral tax agreement with Germany, as a means to resolve the longstanding issue of undeclared assets held by German residents in the Confederation’s banks, Swiss Finance Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf has ruled out any further compromises.
	FATF Mandate Extended To 2020 4/17/2012 Ministers from nations party to the Financial Action Task Force's 40+9 recommendations are to extend the organization's mandate to 2020, to allow the agency to continue its role of protecting the integrity of the international financial system through the development and enforcement of its anti-money laundering and terrorism financing standards.
	Liechtenstein, Switzerland Initiate DTA Discussions 4/16/2012 Switzerland and Liechtenstein have recently announced plans to negotiate a bilateral double taxation agreement between the two countries.
	Details Provided Of Taiwan's Proposed CGT 4/17/2012 Taiwan's Finance Minister Christina Liu has announced the structure of the new capital gains tax that the government will impose on profits made from trading in shares, bonds and derivative products, such as futures and options.
	Hong Kong, Spain DTA Enters Into Force 4/16/2012 The agreement for the avoidance of double taxation, signed between Hong Kong and Spain on April 1 last year, came into force on April 13, after the completion of ratification procedures on both sides.
	Malta To Improve Workings Of Deposit Compensation Scheme 4/9/2012 The Maltese Financial Services Authority has proposed measures to bolster the functioning of the nation's Depositor Compensation Scheme - a safeguard to mitigate depositor losses should a resident financial institution default.
	Barbados Publishes Credit Risk Management Rules 4/4/2012 The Central Bank of Barbados has noted the publication of a new set of Credit Risk Management Guidelines to assist financial institutions in meeting their credit risk management obligations.
	Guernsey, Switzerland Discuss Financial Synergies 4/3/2012 Guernsey recently hosted a Swiss government delegation during a two-day visit to the island, which reinforced the importance of links between Guernsey and Switzerland, particularly in financial services.
	Hong Kong Launches New AML/CFT Regime 4/2/2012 Legislation which was approved by the Legislative Council in June 2011 and which will enhance the Hong Kong financial sector’s anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism regime went into effect on April 1.
	Liechtenstein's Nordic TIEAs Enter Into Force 3/30/2012 The Liechtenstein government has recently announced that the bilateral tax information exchange agreements (TIEAs) concluded with Norway, Finland, Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands are due to enter into force shortly, following ratification of the treaties by the relevant contracting parties.
	Switzerland Sticking With Exchange Rate Fix 3/30/2012 Switzerland’s Economy Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann has insisted recently that the minimum exchange rate set by the Swiss National Bank of CHF1.20 per euro must be maintained.
	State Street Granted Jersey Banking License 3/30/2012 The Jersey Financial Services Commission has granted State Street Corporation, one of the world's leading provides of financial services to institutional investors, a license to expand its offerings to include Jersey-based banking.
	Hong Kong's SFC Waives Annual Fees 3/27/2012 Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission has announced that the payment of annual licensing fees will be waived for a two-year period, effective from April 1, 2012.
	Switzerland Snubs Tax Deal With Austria 3/28/2012 The Swiss government has no firm plans to conclude a bilateral tax agreement with Austria to resolve the longstanding issue of undeclared bank accounts held by Austrian nationals in the Confederation’s banks despite claims to the contrary by the Austrian government.
	Netherlands Seeks 'Alternatives' To FTT 3/26/2012 The Dutch finance ministry has recently confirmed government plans to ask the European Commission to examine the idea of ‘alternatives’ to the introduction of a financial transactions tax in Europe.
	Guernsey Wealth Management Promoted In India 3/23/2012 Guernsey's offerings as a wealth management domicile were promoted at the India Wealth Forum, held recently in Delhi and attended by Guernsey wealth management firm Nerine Group of Fiduciaries.
	Gibraltar Government To Back Finance Industry 3/23/2012 To mark one hundred days in office, the Gibraltar government has made a number of pledges that it will fulfil during its term, many of which are pertinent to taxpayers and the financial services sector.
	Switzerland, UK Supplement Withholding Tax Agreement 3/23/2012 Switzerland and the United Kingdom have recently signed in Brussels a Protocol of Amendment that supplements the withholding tax agreement of October 6, 2011.
	Switzerland, EU Discuss Tax 3/22/2012 Swiss President Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf and Federal Councillor Burkhalter have recently met with top European Union representatives within the scope of a working visit in Brussels, with the discussions focussing on current developments in bilateral relations and in particular on strengthening cooperation in the area of taxation.
	Bermuda Banking Industry Resurgent 3/21/2012 The Bermuda Monetary Authority has published statistics for the territory's banking industry during 2011, showing that total assets rose by 6% in Q4 2011 and 9.3% year on-year.
	Germany Seeks To Iron Out Swiss Tax Deal Issues 3/19/2012 Following recent ‘constructive’ talks with his colleagues from Social Democrat- and Green Party-led federal states, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble has agreed to hammer out with Switzerland certain changes to the bilateral Swiss-German tax deal, signed in September.
	Jersey Embarks On Major Gulf Promotional Tour 3/20/2012 The Jersey government has announced that a convention for the avoidance of double taxation and fiscal evasion will be signed with Qatar during its current promotional trip to the Gulf region.
	Ernst And Young Returns To The BVI 3/19/2012 Ernst and Young, one of the 'big four' accounting firms, has announced its decision to re-establish an office in the British Virgin Islands after a multi-year absence, attracted by the territory's strong financial services legislation and regulatory regime.
	Interest In Guernsey As A Film Finance Centre Grows 3/16/2012 Guernsey's latest London seminar, to showcase the island's offerings as a leading international film finance centre, has been hailed a success after attracting an audience of over 100 senior members of the UK film community.
	US Senate Passes Highways Tax Bill 3/16/2012 On March 14, the United States Senate passed, on a bipartisan basis, a bill to provide for an extension of highway-related taxes and the funding of infrastructural spending by the Federal Highway Trust Fund, which included an anti-tax haven amendment.
	Liechtenstein Initials TIEA With Japan 3/15/2012 Delegation leaders have recently initialled the bilateral tax information exchange agreement between Japan and Liechtenstein, following the conclusion of negotiations.
	EU Divided Over FTT 3/15/2012 Despite months of ongoing discussions, Europe remains divided and seemingly no further forward on the controversial issue of a financial transactions tax.
	Hong Kong To Adopt Basle III Banking Reforms 3/13/2012 Hong Kong’s Banking (Amendment) Ordinance 2012, which empowers the Hong Kong Monetary Authority to make rules to prescribe the capital, liquidity and disclosure requirements applicable to authorized institutions, has been gazetted.
	US Highways Bill Takes Aim At Tax Havens 3/13/2012 The Democrat-led Senate has adopted an amendment, which would provide a range of further measures for the Treasury Department to take against foreign governments and financial institutions that 'significantly impede United States tax enforcement', to the bill to provide for an extension of the United States highway-related taxes.
	Swiss Lawmakers Give Go-Ahead To Amended US DTA 3/9/2012 Marking a significant step forward in the longstanding tax dispute between the two countries, the Swiss National Council, or lower house, has recently given the green light to an amendment to the bilateral double taxation agreement with the US, permitting grouped requests.
	IMF Spells Out San Marino's Fiscal Challenges 3/8/2012 With San Marino adopting tax transparency, the territory now faces significant challenges in stabilizing the country's banking system and implementing structural tax reforms to provide stable tax revenues, the International Monetary Fund says.
	Morocco Pursues Innovative Financial Centre Course 3/7/2012 During a recent seminar in Casablanca, Morocco’s Secretary General at the Finance Ministry Khalid Safir alluded to the latest financial innovations that have taken place in Morocco, and outlined the government’s future plans for the country’s financial centre.
	South Africa Extends Its TIE Network 3/6/2012 The South African Revenue Service has disclosed that a protocol to facilitate the exchange of tax information within the existing double taxation agreement between South Africa and Austria has recently entered into force, as have tax information exchange agreements with Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Jersey and San Marino.
	Swiss Lawmakers Pass Extended Tax Assistance Law 3/6/2012 The Swiss National Council has recently adopted the government’s new law on administrative assistance in tax matters, by 113 votes to 58. The National Council also voted in favour in principle of the planned revisions to the Swiss-US double tax agreement.
	DIFC Boosts Collaboration With London 3/6/2012 The Dubai International Financial Centre and a body representing London's City have signed a new partnership agreement designed to boost collaboration between the financial centres.
	Hollande, Miliband Hold Tax Talks 3/2/2012 During a recent meeting in London with the leader of the UK Labour Party Ed Miliband, French presidential candidate François Hollande, currently championing the introduction of a European tax on financial transactions, called for more rigorous financial market regulation, while insisting, however, that he would not be 'dangerous' for the City.
	Singapore, Estonia TIE Protocol Coming Into Force 2/29/2012 A protocol to facilitate the exchange of tax information within the existing double taxation agreement between Singapore and Estonia will enter into force on March 30, 2012.
	Barclays Responds To Tax Controversy 2/29/2012 While Barclays has confirmed that it is the bank at the centre of what HM Revenue and Customs has called two abusive tax avoidance schemes, it has stressed that it 'takes its responsibilities as a corporate citizen very seriously' and complies 'with the letter and spirit of all our obligations' under the UK banking code of conduct.
	Mixed Fortunes For Cayman Finance Industry 3/1/2012 The Cayman Islands' Economics and Statistics Office has reported that the island's economy began to recover from the economic downturn during the first nine months of 2011, with growth of 1.2% year-on-year recorded, compared to a contraction of 5.8% in the same period a year earlier. However, the financial services sector continues to see mixed results.
	Austria Hikes Bank Tax 3/1/2012 Austria’s federal government plans to finance the budgetary costs of supporting and securing the long-term survival of the Austrian Volksbank 'by means of a contribution from the banking sector', according to the finance ministry.
	UK Blocks Tax Avoidance Scheme 2/28/2012 The UK has taken steps to close what it calls two highly abusive tax avoidance schemes, disclosed to HM Revenue and Customs by a bank.
	IoM Mulls FATCA Implications 2/28/2012 The Isle of Man government has announced that it may work with a number of other countries in order to help reduce the compliance burden of the United States Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act on the jurisdiction's financial services industry.
	Hong Kong, Jersey Sign DTA 2/28/2012 On February 24, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Professor K C Chan (pictured), and Jersey’s Chief Minister Ian Gorst, signed a double taxation agreement between Hong Kong and Jersey.
	Switzerland Confirms Financial Centre Strategy 2/27/2012 The Swiss Federal Council has recently held talks on a 'credible' financial centre strategy designed to deflect international criticism over issues such as tax and banking secrecy.
	Hiring Trends Show Mixed Fortunes For Cyprus 2/24/2012 Figures from a Cyprus recruitment agency indicate that while the banking and finance sectors enjoyed mixed fortunes last year, hiring overall was up 11% last year.
	Another Solid Year For The DIFC 2/23/2012 Despite the impact of the European debt crisis, the global economic downturn and political turmoil in certain parts of the region, the Dubai International Financial Centre continues to strengthen its position as the leading international financial centre in the region.
	UK Backs Revised FATF Standards 2/23/2012 The UK has announced its support for the Financial Action Task Force's new standards to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
	Switzerland Mulls 'White Money Strategy' 2/23/2012 Switzerland’s Finance Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf has recently put forward the idea of compelling Swiss banks to obtain in future a declaration from their foreign clients confirming that their assets held in the Confederation are correctly taxed.
	Austria Launches Talks On Swiss Tax Deal 2/22/2012 Austria’s Finance Minister Maria Fekter has recently announced that talks on a planned bilateral tax agreement with Switzerland are due to begin in April.
	Isle Of Man Banking Deposits Fall 6.4% In 2011 2/20/2012 The Isle of Man government has published a report on the territory's banking sector and its performance during 2011.
	FATF Adopts Revised International AML Standards 2/20/2012 The Financial Action Task Force anti-money laundering standards have been revised to strengthen global safeguards and further protect the integrity of the financial system, by providing governments with stronger tools to take action against financial and tax crimes.
	Ireland Unveils New Tax Incentives 2/17/2012 Tax reform features heavily in Ireland's new Action Plan for Jobs, a package designed to boost job creation and establish Ireland as the best small country in which to do business.
	Grenada To Ensure Adherence To Tax Standards 2/16/2012 The government of Grenada has established a high-level committee of public and private sector individuals to aid the government in overhauling legislation regulating the territory's financial services sector to ensure adherence to international standards.
	Jersey Reviewing FATCA Impact 2/17/2012 The Jersey government has published an initial response to the release of further details by the US tax authority and Treasury on the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, which will impact Jersey's financial services industry.
	Thailand Increases Bank Tax 2/16/2012 From July 31, 2012, all banks in Thailand will have to pay an increased levy to help fund the public debt that arose out of financing their rescue during the 1997 Asian financial crisis.
	IoM Consults On Ombudsman Scheme Changes 2/14/2012 The Isle of Man's Office of Fair Trading is proposing to increase the maximum award limit under the Isle of Man Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme from GBP100,000 to GBP150,000.
	France Adopts FTT In Supplementary Finance Bill 2/14/2012 Within the framework of a supplementary finance bill, the French council of ministers has recently adopted the government’s plans for a rise in the standard rate of value-added tax and for a tax on financial transactions; measures intended to enter into force in France later this year.
	Guernsey Firms Scoop Offshore Business Awards 2/14/2012 A number of Guernsey-based law and wealth management firms were among the winners at the recent Citywealth Offshore Awards in London.
	St Kitts And Nevis Boosts Tax Cooperation 2/10/2012 Saint Kitts and Nevis's Cabinet has approved the signing of a Tax Information Exchange Agreement with India and has endorsed the commencement of negotiations towards similar agreements with a further four nations.
	Dutch Central Bank Deems FTT 'Unworkable' 2/10/2012 The Dutch central bank has recently insisted that the introduction of a European financial transaction tax is ‘undesirable’, and warned that it is indeed doubtful whether it will counteract risky market behaviour.

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