Logic suggests that taxation should obey simple principles: income, taxes. Unfortunately, this is not the case, as stated by the Queen's Hotel New York, Leona Helmsley, jailed in 1992 for stealing the tax in proportions rarely seen in the U.S.: "Only small People pay taxes. " There is nothing new under the winter mists to the City.Tax evasion is well and the rich are becoming richer. By using a virtuoso of the tax exemption and tax relief, under-taxation of large corporations as fortunes played a key role in the financial crisis of autumn 2008. Toxics (subprime) were indeed often domiciled in tax havens. Such is the thesis of the book by Nicholas Shakson edifying: Treasure Islands: Tax Havens and the Men Who Stole the World (Bodley Head Publishing, untranslated French) published on January 10.
The finding of this reporter on the "black hole" of the global economy that are offshore financial centers is fierce. "Globalization has accentuated the use of complex financial schemes through tax havens to pay a minimum tax. This is a gray area, neither legal nor illegal," says the author This detailed investigation into the shadows of the financial world.
This investigation among those who ride in carriages closed capitalism also reveals the incredible network of touts fund woven by the City. The Channel Islands, Cayman Islands, the Virgin Islands and other confetti of empire are at the heart of a system hypersophistiqué bypass the taxman.
Completely autonomous from the central government and the mayor of London, the first European financial market operates completely opaque. The governing body, the City Corporation, which has no accountability, is described as the first financial lobby the European Union. His power is at the height of his wealth and his people skills: imposing.
During its history, the "square mile" has accommodated social upheaval, political, financial prosperity. The status of non-domiciled resident offered to wealthy foreigners, the introduction of tax packages for the benefit of large fortunes, the weakening of the treasury of His Majesty or the welcome given to the Russian capital of dubious origin provide evidence of The influence of this sprawling state within a state.
Therefore in the eyes of Nicholas Shakson, the United Kingdom is undoubtedly the first tax haven in the world. Yet the tide is turning. At a time of austerity and millions of Her Majesty's subjects who are queuing at the unemployment offices in the kingdom, a protest against tax evasion has emerged.
Using social networks, the group UK Uncut multiplies demonstrations at symbols of cynicism book stores, companies engaged in these practices. The mobile phone operator Vodafone is accused of having saved up to £ 5 billion (6 billion euros) in taxes by signing a dubious compromise with the British Treasury.
The distribution company Arcadia, which owns fashion chain Top Shop, paid a pittance in taxes in 2010. Her owner, Philip Green, a resident of Monaco, has managed this challenge by contributing more than £ 1 billion in dividends to his wife. HSBC or pharmacist Boots are also the target of these activists, young and vociferous, supported by several NGOs and trade unions.
As shown in media coverage of the shares of UK Uncut, taxation is becoming an issue as hot as the bonuses of bankers. Currently, multinational companies should not disclose details of profits made in each country of operation or give the exact amount of taxes paid. In support of this opacity, the business community cited the competitive environment as an obligation to ensure the best return to shareholders.
The "tax efficiency" - as defenders of liberalism call seeking exemptions in secret without sharing - will reduce costs. To hear them, taxes are the second largest expenditure after salaries. Too many taxes kill taxes! This argument reflects a misunderstanding of the fracture caused by tax evasion.
Citizenship and national cohesion suffer permanent tax on this cruise. Aware of this issue that occupies the press and the field, the information group Thomson has developed a computer program designed to help clients better understand the maze of new rules of taxation as the harmonization of accounting standards.
"These information tools are needed to meet the tax regulations in a world constantly changing," says Vice-President for Europe of the tax department of the company, Tom Walsh. Had she known this beautiful and good invention, Leona Helmsley would perhaps not have left his palaces to the prison.
E-mail: rock @ bbc. fr. Marc Roche Article published in the edition of 12.01.11
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