scholarly journals Crime Treasure Islands: Tax Havens, Tax Evasion and Money Laundering

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Sabatino ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Money Laundering ◽  
Tax Evasion ◽  
Tax Havens

Who are our owners? Exploring the ownership links of businesses to identify illicit financial flows

2021 ◽  
pp. 147737082098036
Author(s):  
Alberto Aziani ◽  
Joras Ferwerda ◽  
Michele Riccardi
Keyword(s):  
Money Laundering ◽  
Tax Evasion ◽  
Economic Incentives ◽  
Tax Havens ◽  
Financial Flows ◽  
Holding Companies ◽  
Business Ownership ◽  
Cultural Proximity ◽  
Illicit Financial Flows ◽  
High Level

This article investigates the patterns of business ownership in Europe, using a unique dataset on the nationality of 28.7 million shareholders of companies registered in 41 European countries. By means of an exploratory multivariate analysis, it tests whether ownership links between different countries are driven exclusively by social and macroeconomic variables – such as trade or geographical or cultural proximity – or are also related to measures of financial secrecy, corruption and lack of compliance with anti-money laundering regulations. The results indicate that factors other than licit economic incentives explain the international ownership structure of European companies. European firms have an abnormal number (that is, above the predicted value) of owners from tax havens and countries with poor financial transparency, which may suggest the use of holding companies for money laundering and tax evasion and to conceal illicit financial flows. However, ceteris paribus, the number of owners is abnormal in countries where rule of law and the control of corruption are more effective, suggesting that a high level of corruption may be a cost in money laundering activities. The findings contribute to the current international debate on illicit financial flows – as framed by United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16.4 – and can be used by public agencies and private actors to detect anomalies in business ownership and prevent potential financial crime schemes at corporate level.

Panama will pursue transparency efforts in 2017

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Money Laundering ◽  
Tax Evasion ◽  
Multinational Companies ◽  
International Banking ◽  
Corporate Tax ◽  
Tax Havens ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Profile ◽  
International Image ◽  
The Government

Subject Panama’s efforts to improve transparency. Significance On December 12, Oxfam released its list of the world’s worst corporate tax havens. Much to the surprise of the Panamanian press, Panama was not included. After a year of high-profile scandals linked to tax evasion and money laundering, the government is striving to improve transparency levels and clean up the country’s image, in an effort to maintain its position as an international banking centre. Impacts Panama will be one of Latin America’s fastest-expanding economies in 2017 despite the blows to its international image. The government will strive to ensure fast growth is not harmed by multilateral bodies that are monitoring Panama’s transparency efforts. It will also aim to uphold Panama’s attractiveness to multinational companies and banks, safeguarding its role as a strategic business hub.

Curbing Illicit Financial Flows

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaodon Liang
Keyword(s):  
Tax Evasion ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
International System ◽  
Tax Avoidance ◽  
Incentive Structure ◽  
Global Finance ◽  
Tax Havens ◽  
Financial Flows ◽  
Playing Field ◽  
Illicit Financial Flows

Illicit financial flows (IFFs) drain state finances and economic vitality, with disproportionate impact on developing economies. IFFs—including money laundering, tax evasion, and tax avoidance—pose a transnational problem addressed so far through international regimes of coordination and cooperation. But meaningful reductions in IFFs require addressing the root of the problem: information asymmetries. Developed nations and tax havens know where money is hidden and profits are made, while developing nations do not. Since the international system of global finance creates the incentive structure and permissive environment for illicit flows, it is at this level that states must focus their policy-making attention. New information-sharing mechanisms, such as automatic exchange of tax information and public country-by-country tax reporting, can level the playing field and enable lower-income states to effectively address the IFF problem.

Tax evasion and money laundering: a complete framework

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deen Kemsley ◽  
Sean A. Kemsley ◽  
Frank T. Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Money Laundering ◽  
Tax Evasion ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Regulatory Agencies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Single Process ◽  
Financial Action Task ◽  
Tax Savings ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Complete Framework

Purpose This paper aims to define the fundamental nexus between income tax evasion and money laundering. The G7 Financial Action Task Force (FATF) designates tax evasion as a predicate offense for money laundering. We determine whether this designation is complete from a conceptual standpoint, or whether there is a stronger connection between tax evasion and money laundering. Design/methodology/approach This paper applies the FATF definition for money laundering – as well as generally accepted definitions for tax evasion and for a standard predicate offense – to identify the necessary conditions for each crime. This paper then uses these conditions to test opposing hypotheses regarding the nexus between tax evasion and money laundering. Findings This paper demonstrates that tax evasion does not meet the conditions for a standard predicate offense, and treating it as if it were a standard predicate could be problematic in practice. Instead, it is concluded that the FATF’s predicate label for tax evasion, together with tax evasion methods and objectives, imply that all tax evasion constitutes money laundering. In a single process, tax evasion generates both criminal tax savings and launders those criminal proceeds by concealing or disguising their unlawful origin. Practical implications The FATF could strengthen its framework by explicitly defining all tax evasion as money laundering. This would enable regulatory agencies to draw upon the full combined resources dedicated to either offense. Originality/value The analysis demonstrates that tax evasion completely incorporates money laundering as currently defined by the FATF.

Terrorism financing and money laundering: two sides of the same coin?

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 962-968 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederic Compin
Keyword(s):  
Money Laundering ◽  
Tax Evasion ◽  
White Collar Crime ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fully Integrated ◽  
Financial Crimes ◽  
Terrorism Financing ◽  
Utilitarian Approach ◽  
The Cost

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse how terrorism financing can be assimilated with money launderning when the amounts ofmoney involved differ so markedly. Not only is the cost of financing terrorist attacks minimal compared to the huge sums often at stake in financial crimes, but also the psychological profile of terrorists, who are reclusive by nature, contrasts starkly with that of financial criminals, who are usually fully integrated members of society. When terrorism financing is equated with money laundering this represents a utilitarian approach in that it facilitates the creation of a security strategy and stifles criticism of criminogenic capitalismthat turns a blind eye to tax evasion. Design/methodology/approach The analysis is conceptual, focussing on the assimilation of terrorism financing with money laundering. There is an interview with a French magistrate, specialized in the fight against corruption and white-collar crime, and data have been collected from international organizations and scholarly articles. Findings The fight against money laundering and money dirtying has clearly sparked numerous controversies around evaluation, scope, criminal perpetrators and a lack of vital cooperation between administrative and judicial services. Social implications This paper raises questions about the reasons behind the linking of money laundering and money dirtying by states and players in public international law and why the fight against money laundering is very much overshadowed by their focus on terrorist financing in dealing with the growing threat of Islamic State, otherwise known as ISIS or ISIL, in the Middle East and West Africa. Originality/value The paper enables the reader to raise the question of similarities between the fight against money laundering and the fight against terrorism financing.

Macroeconomics of money laundering: effects and measurements

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nella Hendriyetty ◽  
Bhajan S. Grewal
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Money Laundering ◽  
Tax Evasion ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Tax Revenue ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Macroeconomic Conditions ◽  
Illicit Flows

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review studies focusing on the magnitude of money laundering and their effects on a country’s economy. The relevant concepts are identified on the basis of discussions in the literature by prominent scholars and policy makers. There are three main objectives in this review: first, to discuss the effects of money laundering on a country’s macro-economy; second, to seek measurements from other scholars; and finally, to seek previous findings about the magnitude and the flows of money laundering. Design/methodology/approach In the first part, this paper outlines the effects of money laundering on macroeconomic conditions of a country, and then the second part reviews the literature that measures the magnitude of money laundering from an economic perspective. Findings Money laundering affects a country’s economy by increasing shadow economy and criminal activities, illicit flows and impeding tax collection. To minimise these negative effects, it is necessary to quantify the magnitude of money laundering relative to economic conditions to identify the most vulnerable aspects of money laundering in a country. Two approaches are used in this study: the first is the capital flight approach, as money laundering will cause flows of money between countries; the second is the economic approach for measuring money laundering through economic variables (e.g. tax revenue, underground economy and income generated by criminals) separately from tax evasion. Originality/value The paper offers new insights for the measurement of money laundering, especially for developing countries. Most methods in quantifying money laundering have focused on developed countries, which are less applicable to developing countries.

scholarly journals A Study on Anti-Money Laundering: Principles And Perceptions in Context to India

2021 ◽  
pp. 127-137
Author(s):  
R. Harika ◽  
V. N. V. Sai Ramresh
Keyword(s):  
Money Laundering ◽  
Tax Evasion ◽  
Tax Avoidance ◽  
Combat Money Laundering

Tax evasion is the focal turn of numerous genuine offenses. Hacking frameworks or laundering cash has become an extraordinary calling of individuals where they exploit distinctive monetary and general sets of laws of various nations. AML is needed to make the country less appealing for the launderers, in this manner shielding the monetary area from functional and reputational hazards. To have a thorough paper, the paper is partitioned into four sections. Part I opens up with clarifying the ideas and cycles of tax evasion calling attention to the causes and methods of illegal tax avoidance. Part II moves with rules and guidelines/control instruments to manage the issue of illegal tax avoidance. Considering the previously mentioned conversation Part III continues in expounding the ideas to have a decent enemy of tax evasion system. The paper is the principal endeavor to move toward AML Bill 2008 to combat money laundering.

scholarly journals Does the Implementation of DAC 5 Represent a Breach of Attorney Confidentiality?

2019 ◽  
pp. 525-534
Author(s):  
Tomáš Sejkora
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Money Laundering ◽  
Tax Evasion ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Scientific Methods ◽  
The Law

This contribution is devoted to an issue of the correlation between anti-money laundering measures and measures combating tax evasion. This problem is widely discussed and the regulation requiring sharing tax relevant information between tax and AML authorities begins to occur. The example is the well-known directive DAC 5 and its transposition into the national legal orders which initiated the discussion about the nature of the confidentiality of the lawyer and the attorney–client privilege once again. This contribution therefore analyses the new obligation imposed on attorneys by the law implementing DAC 5 in the Czech Republic. The used scientific methods are description, analysis, induction and deduction.

scholarly journals Application of the neutrosophic system to tax havens with a criminal approach

2020 ◽  
pp. 91-106
Author(s):  
Luis Andrés Crespo Berti ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Tax Evasion ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Evaluation Methodology ◽  
Tax Havens ◽  
Financial Investment ◽  
Bank Secrecy ◽  
Illegal Acts ◽  
State Taxes ◽  
The One

The investigation questions transparency (legitimacy) on the one hand and tax evasion (illegality) at tax haven on the other, so this paper the highlights importance of tax havens, either to the detriment of economies suffering from significant capital flight or to the benefit of jurisdictions declared as paradises, whose economy had been favored by the inflow of capital and investment Foreign. Tax havens are mechanisms of defense of wealthy taxpayers who seek to escape with their wealth from state taxes with progressive tax systems for the financing of social protection, education, and security of their population. Much of the study had to be based on the analysis of the information collected to clarify its importance with the support of neutrosophic numbers for the determination of fuzzy sets for a better understanding of the phenomenon under study inserted in tax havens. Besides, the heuristic evaluation methodology was used, as a form of financial investment with neutrosophic representation, since it allowed the search for qualitative results that helped to emphasize investment problems in those States, territories or jurisdictions that do not have taxation, profits, or apply it at very low rates, with serious limitations in the exchange of information (bank secrecy) and a marked absence of transparency. As the main conclusion, it was argued that governments should continue their transparency campaigns to prevent the continued use of money of public origin as a consequence of illegal acts, without affecting the sovereignty of each country.

Alternate remittance systems in Ghana: a trade enabler or an organised fraud

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Asmah ◽  
Williams Abayaawien Atuilik
Keyword(s):  
Money Laundering ◽  
Tax Evasion ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Banking System ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Case Study Analysis ◽  
Business Operations ◽  
Border Trade ◽  
Single Method

Purpose Alternate remittance systems (ARS) are inherently not illegal; however, the nature of their activities has mostly been linked with money laundering and terrorist financing, which raises several questions as to why businesses in Ghana rely on these systems to conduct their cross-border trade. The purpose of this study is seeks to understand the nature of ARS in Ghana and analyse why business owners rely on them for their transactions. Design/methodology/approach Three companies were selected for the case study analysis. This research paper used a qualitative data analysis for the study. Interviews, direct participant observation and documentary review were the main techniques for data collection. The multiple sources of evidence helped to reduce the potential bias of the single method. Findings This paper found that some businesses using the system in Ghana can acquire unsecured loans at little or no interest cost, which provides a good source of funding to support business growth. Unlike other studies, this study proves that in some instances, ARS operators transact business with the clients they do not, particularly trust. Within the context of this study, this paper found evidence that supports money laundering, but the underlining crime is mostly tax evasion. The adoption of the system is an attempt to disguise the proceeds of the tax evasion crime and clean them through business operations. Research limitations/implications This analysis was based on the strain theory from the perspective of the clients. Future studies can focus attention on the ARS operators and understand their perspectives. Several other fraud theories could be used as a lens to understand the phenomena in Ghana and other jurisdictions. Practical implications The study throws more light on a “secret” or an underground banking system that operates in Ghana. It provides insights that can guide regulatory authorities in their policy implementation. The need for stricter enforcement of the law has also been highlighted. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is original, as it focuses on a sector that is highly secretive but has significant implications on the Ghanaian economy.

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