Tax Evasion - Switzerland Angered by Germany's Tax Haven Cal  

According to a report on the BBC, Switzerland has been greatly riled by Germany's insistence that the country be added to a list of tax havens that facilitate large levels of tax evasion. Switzerland dispute that their country facilitates tax evasion.

The issue of tax evasion has been particularly prevalent in Europe of late as many countries seek to create a sort of coalition to help establish which countries are acting as tax havens and, in doing so, making large levels of tax evasion possible. According to the report on BBC, Germany are one of the major instigators of this push to bring those engaged in tax evasion to justice but their inference that Switzerland should be blacklisted as one of the tax havens facilitating tax evasion has certainly did little to improve relations between the two countries. Switzerland has taken exception to Germany's claims that they are harbouring many people's tax evasion endeavours in their bank accounts. Switzerland's government was less than impressed with Germany's suggestions that they should be regarded as a tax haven where the criminal activity of tax evasion is rife and have called upon those in Germany to provide proof for their beliefs that Switzerland is allowing tax evasion to take place.

Tax Evasion - International Arguments

Tax evasion is now such a big issue that it is created much tension between various European countries as they strive to bring tax evasion to an end due to the fact it stops governments receiving money that is due to them through taxation. However, according to the report on the BBC, Germany's strongly held belief that Switzerland is one such tax haven has not gone over well with the Swiss and they have expressed their immense displeasure to the German government.

Tax Evasion - Two Sides to Every Story

Germany officials are of the belief that many wealthy Germans have set up accounts in Switzerland and are engaged in tax evasion as a result but this is Switzerland denies and, speaking to the BBC, Urs Roth, head of the Swiss Bankers Association, states, "Switzerland will not be put on a blacklist because these accusations are completely baseless, we have double taxation agreements with more than 60 countries, among them Germany. We exchange information with these countries, including information about tax fraud, so we are quite within international norms." However, the general consensus amongst most European nations is that Switzerland should be more helpful and offer more transparency as the EU aims to collectively battle the issue of tax evasion.

Speak to Gilbert Tax about Tax Evasion

Gilbert Tax are tax specialists who specialise in resolving tax investigations and disputes. Offering efficient, friendly and cost effective solutions to tax problems, Gilbert Tax are pleased to provide assistance with issues ranging from tax evasion to VAT fraud. With over 60 years of combined experience in the industry, Gilbert Tax offer unparalleled service that will get to the bottom of tax discrepancies and disputes. To find out more about tax evasion and the range of services provided by Gilbert Tax, just call 0800 734 3333 or email scott.gilbert@gilberttax.co.uk.

For more information about the different types of tax investigation cases we deal with on a regular basis please click here.

To find out what some of our clients have said about us please click here.