Fugitive Tax-Slaves

Argentina’s grand plan to recover US dollars is about as worthless as its own currency

"For three months, anyone sitting on a pile of undeclared dollars will be able to contribute to Argentina’s already astronomical debt by depositing them at the central bank in exchange for a 4% annual return through 2017. But why would anyone buy Argentine bonds right now with American dollars? People aren’t sitting on dollars in Argentina because they make comfortable cushions; they’re hoarding them because it’s the safest investment in Argentina right now. Argentines are now willing to pay more than twice the open market exchange rate. The country’s crippling default in 2001 and the ensuing flash devaluation of the Argentine peso are fresh on everyone’s mind." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingArgentina’s grand plan to recover US dollars is about as worthless as its own currency

Argentina: Give Us Your Real Dollars for Our Fake Dollars

"President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner’s wish of being able to print dollars is coming true as the central bank begins issuing dollar-denominated certificates today that trade in pesos. Argentina is issuing the certificates, known as Cedines, as part of a tax amnesty plan to attract undeclared cash back into the economy. The Cedin 'is an ideal medium for the payment of U.S. dollar obligations,' and can be used for buying products from house appliances to construction materials, according to the law approved by congress May 29, Argentines with undeclared foreign-currency savings have until Sept. 30 to trade their dollars for a certificate of deposit for investment, or Cedin." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingArgentina: Give Us Your Real Dollars for Our Fake Dollars

Swiss government reveals ‘solution’ to settle US tax dispute

"The federal government revealed plans in Bern on Wednesday to settle a bitter dispute with Washington after lawmakers rejected a deal that would have halted US legal action against Swiss banks suspected of stashing cash for American tax dodgers. Rather than a blanket accord, Swiss banks will now have to apply on a case-by-case basis for government permission to cooperate with US investigators, Finance Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf said. The moves comes two weeks after the Alpine country's parliament shot down the controversial 'Lex USA' accord, which would have temporarily lifted Switzerland's long-sacrosanct banking secrecy." Continue reading →

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Why Is My US Brokerage Firm Closing My Account?

"In many cases the agreement that countries have insisted on with respect to FATCA is reciprocal. In other words, a country will say that yes they are willing to exchange information on financial accounts with the USA but the key word is 'exchange' – that is, in return, US financial institutions must also agree to provide information regarding their clients who are citizens of the country entering into the FATCA agreement with the USA. Imagine the mess this will cause for the large US banks and brokerage firms when they have to start reporting to foreign governments on their accounts for residents of these other countries." Continue reading →

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Gerard Depardieu claims world citizenship

"French actor and new Russian national Gerard Depardieu says he is applying for an Algerian passport and possibly others, describing himself a 'world citizen'. The 64-year-old star, one of the world's most prolific actors, acquired Russian nationality in January after getting into a fight with the French authorities over a new 75-per cent tax on the super-rich. 'I would like to have seven' passports, he told France's Journal du Dimanche on Sunday. 'I'm going to ask for an Algerian one and others as well,' he said. 'This will help me avoid visas.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGerard Depardieu claims world citizenship

What Level of Taxation Is Too Much?

"It was reported that more than 8,000 French households had tax bills that exceeded 100% of their income in 2012. This occurred due to a so-called 'one-off levy' imposed by the socialist president in an attempt to 'offset' previous tax breaks. Ouch. Contrast France with these 18 countries that have no personal income tax. When it comes to confiscating wealth, desperate governments know no limit – other than 'what they can get away with.' In other words, it is only pragmatic to assume that anything within a desperate government's immediate reach becomes fair game." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhat Level of Taxation Is Too Much?

Dell’s Cash Overseas Is Needed at Home, But U.S. Taxes Loom Large

"Advisers working on Dell Inc.'s $24.4 billion buyout are trying to solve a problem: how to use the computer maker's foreign cash without paying a $2.6 billion U.S. tax bill. That could be the cost levied to use the money held in foreign subsidiaries. The efforts highlight a current bind of corporate America: While U.S. companies are holding more cash than ever, the tangle of U.S. tax policies and corporate cash-preservation strategies means much of it isn't readily available for some of the most important corporate decisions, such as returning cash to shareholders or mergers and acquisitions." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDell’s Cash Overseas Is Needed at Home, But U.S. Taxes Loom Large

EBay’s double tax base prompts calls for investigation

"Britain and Germany may have missed out on a combined $1 billion in sales tax since online marketplace eBay picked a tiny Luxembourg office as its base for EU sales, a shift that lawmakers say should now be investigated. EBay, which is headquartered in San Jose, California, moved into Europe in 1999 when it established eBay International in Berne. Switzerland's low income tax regime for foreign companies was highly beneficial for the auction site. The Swiss base also meant, initially, that the company didn't have to charge EU customers VAT. But in 2003, Brussels changed the rules." Continue reading →

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No-Income-Tax Monaco Again Threatened With ‘Tax Haven’ Blacklist Status

"Monaco, which was for a long time considered a black sheep because of its lack of transparency, is still clouded by its very attractive financial legislation. It is a haven for its inhabitants, who don’t pay income tax or inheritance tax. That is, with the notable exception of U.S. and also French nationals, as per a convention signed 50 years ago signed by General de Gaulle. Today pressure is mounting on Monaco. The world powers have launched a new war on tax evasion. During their recent Northern Ireland meeting, the members of the G8 agreed to an automatic exchange of information for tax purposes." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNo-Income-Tax Monaco Again Threatened With ‘Tax Haven’ Blacklist Status

IMF Recommends Increased Taxes For No-Income-Tax Vanuatu

"Vanuatu has previously been attractive as a retirement and investment destination for Australian citizens, largely due to its lack of an income tax, but there has been enhanced oversight in recent times by the Australian Tax Office of Australian citizens' financial assets in Vanuatu. In that scenario, the IMF now proposes that an income tax could now be imposed, as it has been in other Pacific islands. Vanuatu's domestic revenue, at 18.5 percent of GDP, is low relative to its Pacific island peers, suggesting scope to increase revenue. It is forecast that an income tax, levied on both employees and employers, could yield between 3 and 4 percent of GDP at modest tax rates." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIMF Recommends Increased Taxes For No-Income-Tax Vanuatu