The Taxcast
Tax Justice Network
The Taxcast is a monthly podcast/radio show from the Tax Justice Network with the latest from the world of tax havens, financial secrecy and tax abuse. We explore these most challenging ethical and economic issues of our times with transformational economic analysis you won’t hear anywhere else. Available on most podcast apps: https://pod.link/620020246 Website: https://podcasts.taxjustice.net/production/taxcast/ Subscribe by email: naomi [at] taxjustice.net
Ending US financial secrecy
The rollercoaster story of the battle in the US (the world's biggest global financial secrecy offender) over the implementation of a beneficial ownership register, the attempts to stop it and the (many) lessons learned from the UK's registers. The US's Corporate Transparency Act seemed to be on track. Until it wasn't... "Everything is bigger in Texas, that's what they like to say! And as we've learned, even court orders are bigger in Texas." Meanwhile, we take a look at UK company registration p
Feb 27, • 36:57
al-Assad and Guernsey
We look at the Bureau of Investigative Journalism story about a Syrian kleptocrat and alleged war criminal, and the British Crown Dependency of Guernsey. It throws up all kinds of questions about policing compliance, enforcement and the need for public beneficial ownership registers, with good quality information. Also, on day one of his presidency, Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the OECD's global minimum tax deal. So what now? We'll talk to the Tax Justice Network's Alex Cobham. F
Jan 31, • 43:57
$6.2 million banana
A world where someone pays $6.2 million for a banana duct-taped to a wall is a world that needs wealth taxes. But when wealth taxes are considered by politicians and governments, unsubstantiated spin and myth making dominates the debate. (If you can call it a debate). We look at the Tax Justice Network's modest wealth tax proposal which could help governments increase their national budgets by 7 percent a year, a potential global revenue of more than 2 trillion US dollars annually. And we discus
Dec 17, 2024 • 33:12
Trump: All's Not Lost
What are the implications of Donald Trump's election victory for tax justice and the anti-corruption fight in the US and globally? We see a moment of clarity... Host Naomi Fowler talks to Alex Cobham of the Tax Justice Network based in Europe and Zorka Milin of the FACT Coalition in Washington, US. We also have two very good pieces of news: one is the latest vote at the UN as countries vote overwhelmingly to take negotiations on the UN Tax Convention to the next step, leaving the blocker nations
Nov 28, 2024 • 40:15
Three Big Wins
Campaigning for change can feel like banging your head against a brick wall sometimes, but change is coming. On the Taxcast this month host Naomi Fowler talks us through three big tax justice wins: First, the draft UN convention - showing exactly why the United Nations is so much better and more democratic a place for the world to truly reform international tax rules. Second, the Financial Action Task force has announced important changes which indicate a shift away from the colonial mindset th
Oct 31, 2024 • 33:31
Green laundering
Are banks claims about their financing of fossil fuel companies true, or are they green laundering? The Tax Justice Network has been following the money, and our investigations show how financial secrecy is allowing banks to hide the true scale of their backing for activities that are accelerating the climate crisis. It's an international scandal. Plus: the judgment is final: Apple must now pay back taxes in Ireland of 13 billion euros, over 14 billion dollars. It's a big win for the European C
Sep 26, 2024 • 55:35
Crypto heists on trial
There are some massive heists happening that many of us have never heard of. Taxcast host Naomi Fowler talks to investigative journalist and author Geoff White about how crypto and the tech industry are impacting money laundering, and challenging national and international security. The rights and responsibilities for the tech and crypto industry, and 'freedom of speech' defences are being tested in court. The outcomes will have profound effects on all of us. "625 million is a serious contende
Jul 30, 2024 • 36:20
The Black Tax
In this episode: we go to the US to look at how African Americans were overtaxed and dispossessed - a lesser known story of struggles against tax injustice, from the experience of George Floyd's great great grandfather to this day. Taxcast host Naomi Fowler speaks to historian and author Andrew W Kahrl of The Black Tax: 150 years of theft, exploitation, and dispossession in America: "Every stage of the research on this book was one revelation after another. These legalized forms of theft actuall
Jun 28, 2024 • 37:58
The Corrupting of Tax Justice
In this episode: we bring you stories on how we've all been cheated, and look at some of the actors involved in the corruption of tax policy making in Australia; the consequences have rippled out to affect the rest of the world. Two of the OECD's top people seem to be compromised on matters of tax and the public interest. So what does that say about their motivations? What does it say about the motivations of the organizations they work for? Should an organisation like the OECD be so strongly co
Jun 1, 2024 • 46:32
Blockchain havens
"This will supersede them all." Offshore specialist and human rights lawyer Paul Beckett of Corlett Bolton & Co sounds the alarm on the fast development of 'blockchain havens.' The Tax Justice Network's Bob Michel speaks about the challenges regulators, anti-corruption campaigners and poorer nations face. A transcript of the podcast is available here: https://podcasts.taxjustice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Blockchain-havens-transcript-2.pdf Further reading/resources: Paul Beckett's book: A
Apr 30, 2024 • 51:47
Crime DOES pay...?
Crime doesn't pay - or does it?! Taxcast host Naomi Fowler talks to former police investigator, asset recovery specialist and co-author of The War on Dirty Money Tristram Hicks about the state of criminal asset recovery: "We haven't started the war on dirty money. There's this disconnect that's taking place at a strategic level." PLUS: The Tax Justice Network's Alex Cobham analyses Australia's much awaited, revised (aka watered down) legislation to tackle multinational tax abuse - disappointing
Mar 28, 2024 • 45:47
Taxing multinationals, unitary-style
While we wait for a global tax body at the United Nations, what are the ways forward for nations desperate to tax multinationals fairly? We talk unitary taxation in a special extended interview with Emeritus Law Professor, coordinator of the BEPS Monitoring Group and Tax Justice Network special advisor Sol Picciotto. Plus: the return of our analysis slot - Taxcast host Naomi Fowler talks to Zorka Milin of the FACT Coalition about the US's new beneficial ownership registry and its shortcomings; a
Feb 29, 2024 • 1:03:35
#139 People Power
On the Taxcast this month: People power for tax justice is on the rise like never before. We kick off 2024 with inspiring stories on campaigns for tax reform from around the world: strategies, successes, limitations, and what we can learn from the first in-depth studies of their kind by International Budget Partnership. Plus: Malawian poet and Senior Tax Investigations Officer Robert Chiwamba pays tribute to tax collectors everywhere. You can watch him perform We Will Count Them here. Trans
Jan 26, 2024 • 39:03
Introducing The Corruption Diaries
In this brand new Tax Justice Network weekly podcast we take listeners on a journey through the eyes of anti-corruption veterans who were on the frontline of events that have defined our world today, with stories and perspectives on reform you won't hear anywhere else. In Series 1 we sit down with leading white collar crime lawyer and senior Tax Justice Network adviser Jack Blum who tells us about his life's work during a period of huge geopolitical change and transformed global tax and financia
Jan 18, 2024 • 2:16
#138 Overturning a 100 year legacy: the UN tax vote
In an extended Taxcast edition this month, a century of tax rule setting by the former imperial powers has been overturned: we look at the UN vote on global tax reform. Taxcast host Naomi Fowler follows events at the UN, the failed efforts to block it and explores what it all means with Alex Cobham of the Tax Justice Network. Featuring: Alex Cobham of the Tax Justice Network UN representatives from Nigeria, South Africa, the Bahamas, the UK, the US, Spain, Russian Federation, Cameroon. Host
Dec 18, 2023 • 56:23
The People vs Microsoft
On the Taxcast this month, the story of what happened when the US tax authorities, the IRS, decided to crack down on Microsoft, one of the world's biggest tech companies. Worthy of a thriller movie with its twists and turns, there are many lessons for governments worldwide. And it's not over yet. Featuring: Zorka Milin of the Financial Accountability and Corporate Transparency Coalition Paul Kiel of ProPublica Samantha Jacoby of the Centre on Budget and Policy Priorities Andrew Leigh, MP and Au
Nov 30, 2023 • 38:38
Drug War Myths, Part 2
The US government has spent an estimated $1 trillion on their ‘war on drugs.’ But over 50 years later, the cross-border flows of illegal drugs, arms and money have increased. In the second part of a two part series, we look at the failed so-called ‘war on drugs’ - the movement to decriminalise, regulate and tax - opportunities, challenges for lower income nations, and the role of tax justice. Featuring: Associate Professor of International and Organised Crime at Bristol Law School, Dr Mary Young
Oct 26, 2023 • 38:53
Drug War Myths, Part 1
The US government has spent an estimated $1 trillion on their 'war on drugs.' But, over more than 50 years, the cross-border flows of illegal drugs, arms and money have increased. It's a mess. And it didn't need to be this way. We look at the failed so-called 'war on drugs' and how to stop wasting precious lives. In part one of a two part series, we start with the supposed 'goodies' and the 'baddies.' Featuring: Criminology lecturer Karina Garcia-Reyes of the University of the West of England, a
Sep 28, 2023 • 32:25
Who owns the climate crisis?
We're experiencing the hottest global temperatures ever recorded. For millions of us, the climate crisis is already hitting hard. And we need to know, we must know - WHO are the beneficial owners of the climate crisis? It's surprisingly difficult to find out... Featuring: Franziska Mager, Senior Researcher and Advocacy Lead (Climate & Inequalities), Tax Justice Network Dario Kenner, Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Sussex and author of the book Carbon Inequality Victor Galaz of the
Jul 27, 2023 • 39:04
Spoiled pets and private jets
In this episode Naomi Fowler looks at how the very wealthy shape the world, why the rest of us really, really can't afford them. And, how it never ends just with the pet mansions and the cashmere-lined private jets, as the fascinating story of the EU Court of Justice ruling (reversing progress on public registers of beneficial owners of companies) demonstrates...But, there's plenty we can do about it! Featuring: Florencia Lorenzo of the Tax Justice Network Mark Bou Mansour of the Tax Justice
Jun 29, 2023 • 41:10
Monopolies and market power
When dominant multinationals get to run the world, it's not a happy place. Or a very secure one. For a long time governments have failed to take the threat from monopolies and the corporate concentration of power seriously, and deal with it. But recent crises have demonstrated how the neoliberal era is crumbling around us and governments must take action. In this episode we look at the challenges and how to tackle this in the public interest. And, in the US, Minnesota nearly took a historic step
May 25, 2023 • 41:46
Tax Saves Lives
It's horrific that there are so many people across the world who still don’t have access to ‘survival rights.’ Things like basic sanitation, clean water, quality education, decent healthcare so that mothers can survive childbirth - and so their children can even survive their childhood! This is where tax justice gets the most urgent, because tax literally saves lives. And we're going to prove it to you. In this Taxcast edition, host Naomi Fowler talks to people who’ve looked at new data that
May 1, 2023 • 35:53
Organised crime and financial secrecy
After 30 years on the run, Italy's most wanted fugitive Matteo Messina Denaro of the Cosa Nostra has been arrested in Sicily. We look at the costs of organised crime, both economic and societal, the contagion that financial secrecy facilitates, and how to reverse the rot. Secrecy jurisdictions and tax havens have made it possible for mafiosi to progress from crossing physical borders with bank notes stuffed in suitcases, to being able to pour unlimited amounts of money into the financial system.
Feb 23, 2023 • 40:04
The Making of Tax Haven Mauritius
In this extended special episode of the Taxcast, we look at the 'Desai Papers' - the story you probably never heard of: it goes back decades and looks at a key player in the making of tax haven Mauritius that's been hurting Indians and Africans ever since. We speak with a whistleblower and the journalist who broke the story. Is the Indian government investigating? What does the story tell us about the global economy? Transcript available here (some is automated) https://taxjustice.net/wp-content
Jan 31, 2023 • 44:34
The Day Global Power Shifted
There's been a shift in global power, a tax justice milestone, and the powerful nations couldn't stop it... In this episode, Naomi Fowler gives you a fly-on-the-wall take on what happened at the United Nations on November 24th 2022. We look at the power plays around a fundamental global power shift - the beginning of the end of the OECD’s 60 year reign as the world’s leading rule-maker on global tax. Featuring: Alex Cobham of the Tax Justice Network Rachel Etter-Phoya of the Tax Justice Network
Dec 16, 2022 • 37:21
Uncommon Wealth and the 'boomerang effect'
In this episode, Taxcast host Naomi Fowler discusses sovereignty, the 'boomerang effect' and the relevance of the 'Third World Movement' today to our global economic system, with Dr Kojo Koram, author of Uncommon Wealth: Britain and the Aftermath of Empire. "Decolonisation, from the 1950s and 1970s, was quite simply the greatest multiplication of democratic power that the world has ever seen" Plus, we look at two big failures this month: the collapse of crypto exchange company FTX (secrecy
Nov 18, 2022 • 40:47
Education rights and tax justice
In this episode: Nelson Mandela famously said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Yet millions of children in the world still don’t even get to walk through the school door. This month on the Taxcast host Naomi Fowler looks at education and tax justice. The challenges, and the ways forward. Plus, we explore two important developments which really pushes forward steps towards a UN Tax Convention: the economic commission for Africa, the declaration of th
Oct 13, 2022 • 26:12
Tax and Racial Justice
In this episode, Taxcast host and producer Naomi Fowler explores tax as a tool for racial justice and the launch of a new report by Decolonising Economics. "There's a real opportunity for mobilising towards transformative policies that'll work not just for racialised communities in the UK but for everyone feeling the pains of this economic system" ~ Guppi Bola, Decolonising Economics, author of the report “Tax as a Tool for Racial Justice”. Transcript of the show: https://taxjustice.net/wp-con
Sep 22, 2022 • 30:36
Crooked Crook Ltd: company registration scandals
In this episode Taxcast host Naomi Fowler investigates the phenomenon of pop-up sweet shops on Oxford Street and the missing millions in taxes owed. The trail leads to the disgrace that is the UK's company registration process, making the UK Crime Central for any crook who comes along. It's not just the UK that exposes its citizens to risks, it hurts people across the world too. Transcript of the show is available here: https://taxjustice.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Taxcast-Transcript-Ju
Jul 28, 2022 • 25:27
Amazon's tax challenge
Annual shareholder’s meetings used to be pretty staid and boring affairs. But, as inequality has boomed along with corporate profits, AGMs are becoming sites of protest. In this episode Naomi Fowler speaks to Katie Hepworth of PIRC and Jason Ward of CICTAR about the recent challenge to Amazon on tax transparency from shareholders. How did the challenge unfold and what was the result? What does it tell us about progress on principles that as societies are increasingly important to us? A transcrip
Jun 30, 2022 • 34:36
Financial Secrecy Index 2022
Which nations are the world's biggest financial secrecy offenders? And what does it tell us about the world, about politics and about democracy? How high does your country rank in facilitating global corruption? In this episode Taxcast host Naomi Fowler explores the shocking results of the Tax Justice Network's Financial Secrecy Index 2022. Guests: Alex Cobham, head of the Tax Justice Network Ryan Gurule, of the FACT Coalition Read all about the Financial Secrecy Index here: https://fsi.taxjust
May 18, 2022 • 34:11
NonDoms unmasked
On the Taxcast we ask - do politicians believe in the societies they serve or not? Are they really a part of them, or do they live in a parallel world with different rules to ordinary people? The so-called 'NonDom' scandal goes all the way to Downing Street, the heart of the British government and the UK Chancellor/Finance Minister whose wife is taking advantage of an archaic tax status that leads to reduced taxes on her inherited fortune - just as her husband raises taxes on everyone else. In
Apr 28, 2022 • 33:17
Butler Britain
In this episode of the Taxcast, Naomi Fowler speaks with journalist and anti-corruption campaigner Oliver Bullough about his new book ‘Butler to the World: how Britain became the servant of tycoons, tax dodgers, kleptocrats and criminals.’ "You cannot have unquestioning acceptance of the wealthy AND democracy. You can't treat everyone the same before the law AND give rich people anything they want, because rich people want to have immunity from the law. Do you want democracy, or do you want to
Mar 22, 2022 • 32:52
Stolen Dreams
In this episode we bring you the story of a pensioner robbed of his dream retirement and his fight for justice in multiple jurisidctions. Tax havens and secrecy jurisdictions don't just hurt us because they're places of impunity for the rich and for criminals. Quite ordinary people can get caught up in them too. And when thngs go bad, it becomes clear how toxic these places are, and that you may not get the help from regulators and law enforcement that you really need. Plus, we share the news of
Feb 21, 2022 • 29:33
2022: Hopes and Fears
In the first Taxcast for 2022, Naomi Fowler talks with tax justice and anti-corruption campaigners and experts in Europe, Africa, the US and Latin America. What are our hopes and fears for 2022? And what should we be looking out for? The transcript of the show is available here: https://taxjustice.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/The-Taxcast-Jan-22-Transcript.pdf Further information: Paper questioning the legal validity of the IMF’s Stand-By Arrangement with Argentina by Kariina Patricio Ferreir
Jan 26, 2022 • 45:18
Jersey's Pandora's Boxes
In edition 117 we take you to the tax haven of Jersey off the coast of France and the intruiging story of the discovery of 333 boxes of incriminating evidence of fraud. Those boxes have revealed some ugly truths about this small island tax haven that affect us all. The transcript is available here (some is automated and may not be 100% accurate): https://taxjustice.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/The-Taxcast_transcript_edition-117.pdf You can hear the Taxcast edition on rising inequality and d
Dec 16, 2021 • 30:49
Tax Haven Ireland
In this episode: Ireland only has 0.1% of the world’s population, but they became one of the biggest tax havens on the planet. What’s that meant for Irish people, and their road ahead? Naomi Fowler speaks with authors of a new book Tax Haven Ireland. There's a special deal for Taxcast listeners for the paperback or the ebook version, wherever you are in the world. Go to the publisher’s website, PLuto Books: https://www.plutobooks.com/9780745345314/tax-haven-ireland/ and enter the code TAX40. Al
Nov 25, 2021 • 30:59
Rethinking economies
In this episode Taxcast host Naomi Fowler discusses degrowth, rethinking economies and value in part 2 of her conversation with economic anthropologist Jason Hickel. Plus: the Pandora Papers - 3 things the latest offshore leak is showing us. Why some countries rejected the OECD's 15% minimum global corporate tax deal And, as COP26 begins in Scotland, it's the 'last chance saloon' to take meaningful action to minimise ecological disaster - can politicians learn from nations leading the way with g
Oct 21, 2021 • 40:05
Degrowth: liberation from growthism
In this episode, Naomi Fowler explores degrowth and how we liberate ourselves from ‘growthism’ with economic anthropologist Jason Hickel. (The full converation will be released soon as a Taxcast Extra, the full thing is too good to miss!) Plus: there can be no liberation without tackling monopoly power, or the role of finance sectors and States, investing in death and destruction across the world. Here's our website with more Taxcasts: https://www.thetaxcast.com The transcript is available here
Sep 23, 2021 • 35:38
The capture of Malta and the fight for justice
This month Naomi Fowler speaks with Paul Caruana Galizia, one of the sons of Malta’s incredible investigative journalist and anti-corruption champion Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was assassinated in 2017. Paul Caruana Galizia discusses his mother's legacy, the capture of Malta through an aggressive, over-sized finance sector with financial secrecy at its heart, and his hopes for the future. The transcript is available here: https://taxjustice.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/The-Taxcast-July-21-Tr
Jul 23, 2021 • 34:58
Taxcast Extra: The Whiteness of Wealth (2)
We’ve had the honour before on the Taxcast of speaking with law Professor Dorothy Brown in Part 1 of the Whiteness of Wealth Taxcast Extra. She’s been doing trailblazing work on systemic racism and tax justice in the United States for many years. She’s author of the seminal book ‘The Whiteness of Wealth: how the US tax system impoverishes black Americans – and how we can fix it’. In this Taxcast Extra, you can hear Professor Brown’s keynote speech which she gave to the Tax Justice Network’s an
Jul 15, 2021 • 29:51
The Real American Dream - in Scandinavia
This month Taxcast host Naomi Fowler talks to millionaire and wealth tax campaigner Djaffar Shalchi of Millionaires for Humanity about his experience of moving from Iran at an early age to grow up in Denmark, and how highly he values the high tax Scandinavian society, as an entrepreneur, and as a human being. He also talks about his campaign for a 1% wealth tax on the world’s top 1%. Plus: US President Biden drops his proposal for a minimum global corporate tax rate from 21% to 'at least 15%.' H
May 27, 2021 • 30:54
Taxcast Extra: Hong Kong raises its stock transfer tax as Wall St escapes
In this Taxcast Extra Naomi Fowler speaks to Jim Henry, economist, lawyer, investigative journalist and Tax Justice Network senior advisor about the campaign to persuade New York State (which is broke) to reinstate its (tiny) Stock Transfer Tax. It would have created an important precedent for the world but for now, Wall Street has escaped. At the same time, in Hong Kong they have raised their Stock Transfer Tax in an example of “tax competition in reverse,“ or a “race to the top.” The transcrip
Apr 27, 2021 • 15:27
From an uncaring to a caring economy
Caring for others is the highest thing anyone can do in this world. Yet our governments don’t value care either in the policies they create, and they don’t value it monetarily. We look at how we move from an un-caring economy to a caring economy, how women's unpaid work is the greatest subsidy to our so-called productive economy, and how we need to rethink 'the economic.' Plus - we analyse President Biden's global minimum tax plans - who wins and who loses? Is it game over for tax havens? The tr
Apr 22, 2021 • 34:07
Taxcast Extra: The Whiteness of Wealth
Law Professor Dorothy Brown speaks with political economist Keval Bharadia and Taxcast host and producer Naomi Fowler about her book just released in the United States called: ‘The Whiteness of Wealth: how the US tax system impoverishes black Americans – and how we can fix it.’ Transcript with additional links to further reading: https://www.taxjustice.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/TaxcastExtraScript0421.pdf The Taxcast website: https://www.thetaxcast.com
Apr 8, 2021 • 41:51
How Economics Ruins Economies
Much of the world is run on the basis of economic theories that have become accepted truths of our era. But they actually have very little evidence to back them up. This month, Naomi Fowler speaks to finance journalist and writer Tom Bergin on how economics ruins economies and puts economists in the dock. The details of Tom's book, Free Lunch Thinking: how economics ruins the economy is available here: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/free-lunch-thinking-how-economics-ruins-the-economy/97818479427
Mar 25, 2021 • 30:56
Casino Capitalism and a just transition
In this month's episode: we know the world’s broken. Apparently we need $9 trillion to fix it. We find out how we can pay for the pandemic and a just transition with Ben Tippet of the Transnational Institute. Plus: Casino Capitalism: what really happened with the Gamestop frenzy and what does it tell us about 'investment?' You can read the Transnational Institute report here: https://longreads.tni.org/paying-for-just-transition Transcript of the show available here: https://www.taxjustice.net/w
Feb 25, 2021 • 34:02
How we win
This month Naomi Fowler speaks to activist and writer Ben Phillips about how past struggles for justice were won and how we can win them again. We discuss valuable lessons he learned from living and working around the world which he writes about in his book How To Fight Inequality and why that fight needs you. https://uk.bookshop.org/books/how-to-fight-inequality-and-why-that-fight-needs-you/9781509543090 Plus: Why is the Chinese economy so successful? Naomi discusses with John Christensen the
Jan 21, 2021 • 32:46
Taxing Wall Street
This month we take a look at the transformative power of financial transactions taxes. There’s a chance that New York, home to two of the world's largest stock exchanges, could be about to set an important precedent. We go to Kenya o look at its experience with a financial transactions tax. And we see how much further the tax could go. Plus: we discuss three major waves of change in 2020: the black lives matter protests, Trump’s departure from the Whitehouse and the end of the Brexiteers dream.
Dec 17, 2020 • 32:28
How secrecy kills: Beirut explosion
This month: we look at the terrible Beirut explosion and how the story of tracing those responsible tells us everything that's wrong with our world. Plus, we discuss what President-elect Biden's win could mean for tax and economic policies: one thing with big potential could be tackling monopoly corporate power which has cross-party support. The transcript is available here https://www.taxjustice.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/TranscriptNov2020.pdf
Nov 19, 2020 • 28:30
A reparational justice journey:
This month we go on a reparational justice journey and speak to the Council for World Mission about their Legacies of Slavery project and economist and reparations specialist Priya Lukka. Plus: austerity's out, public investment is now in?! We discuss the IMF's hypocritical turn around - now poorer countries need apologies and restitution.. The transcript of the show is available here. Subscribe to the Taxcast by emailing naomi@taxjustice.net
Oct 29, 2020 • 34:38
'Competition' is killing us
In this episode: How a competition lawyer's eyes were opened to the dangers of letting companies get too big and form monopolies which act against our interests. We talk to Michelle Meagher about her book just out: Competition is Killing Us: How Big Business is Harming Our Society and Planet - and What To Do About It. Plus: not everything is bad news at the moment! We look at the revival of support and progress on financial transactions taxes in New York, some slow advances in the EU on multina
Sep 24, 2020 • 32:49
The Taxcast Trailer: dip your toe in
How do we stop ourselves sleepwalking into another Great Depression? Join me Naomi Fowler and John Christensen for the Taxcast from the Tax Justice Network. We talk about how we take back control from the super rich and powerful, and make our economies work for all of us. You can find us on most podcast apps and your favourite radio station can broadcast us for free! Get more information on www.taxjustice.net/taxcast
Sep 9, 2020 • 1:49
Taxcast Extra: How much wealth is stashed offshore?
In this special extended interview we ask - how much wealth is stashed offshore? We speak to Tax Justice Network senior advisor Jim Henry on why his estimate for the Tax Justice Network of $21 to 32 trillion has been vindicated by new figures released by the OECD: "it means we've discovered an eighth continent of wealth" Further reading here and here. You can hear a shorter version of this interview on the Taxcast #103 available here in which we also bring you Part 2 on systemic racism and ta
Jul 27, 2020 • 32:40
Racism and tax justice Part 2
This month we bring you part 2 on how tax justice can help address systemic racism in the US. Author Shawn Rochester, (The Black Tax: the cost of being Black in America) does some number crunching on the historic denial of equality and economic costs of exclusion, Gabriel Zucman speaks on reforming the private tax of healthcare, Cortney Sanders of the Center of Budget and Policy Priorities speaks about the impact of covid19 on communities of colour, and Brandon J. McKoy of New Jersey Policy Per
Jul 23, 2020 • 31:09
Racism and tax justice Part 1
This month we look at the United States and how tax justice can help address systemic racism. Plus: did you know Britain's slave owners compensation loan was only settled by the government in 2015 on behalf of taxpayers? As Faulkner wrote: "The past is never dead. It's not even past." As we discuss, the legacy of centuries of institutionalised racism is that a wealth chasm has been created between black and white communities. We also know that the City of London in Britain itself built its weal
Jun 25, 2020 • 34:33
Tax collection, a labour of love
This month, we cover the story the mainstream media aren’t telling you – how governments around the world are undermining our tax collection services. We look at how the South Africa Revenue Service was established in very challenging times to become a world class institution. Yet also how quickly such achievements can be set back. Also, as all eyes turn to Central Banks during this coronavirus pandemic, we ask who are they serving? And how do people forge a new relationship and a new role for t
May 22, 2020 • 38:52
Healthy economies
This month: from the ashes of this coronavirus crisis how can we build a better economic and socially just system that works for all of us? The pandemic also exposes the pile-up of unaddressed crises which we must also fix. We discuss tax justice (which was always key), bailout conditions for companies now seeking government assistance, and Universal Basic Services.
Apr 23, 2020 • 44:25
Climate crisis, transition and tax justice
How many more signs do we need to tell us we must urgently reform our economies, keep essential services out of private hands and transition away from fossil fuels? As the world buckles up for a different crisis tackling the Coronavirus, we look at how tax justice is key to all economic reform in the public interest, and solving the climate crisis - any crisis - is impossible without it. We speak to Dr Gail Bradbrook, co-founder of Extinction Rebellion on her vision of hope, and John Christensen
Mar 19, 2020 • 36:13
Financial Secrecy Index: who are the world's worst offenders?
In this special extended Taxcast, Naomi Fowler takes you on a whistle-stop guided tour on an express train around the world, looking at the worst offenders selling secrecy services. What can nations can do to protect themselves and their populations from the corruption that results from financial and legal secrecy? https://www.thetaxcast.com/the-financial-secrecy-index-who-are-the-worlds-worst-offenders-the-tax-justice-network-podcast-special-february-2020/
Feb 20, 2020 • 48:56
Another Great Depression or tax justice and transparency?
The Taxcast kicks off the new decade with: the French strikes - tax justice and pensions vs financialisation the EU countries who've missed the deadline on publishing registers of real corporate owners the effect of Brexit on poorer (plundered) countries And the IMF's stark warnings about the finance curse and another Great Depression
Jan 23, 2020 • 35:44
The financialisation of child and elderly care
This month we ask - what's going on with our pre-school childcare and elderly care home services? We take a long hard look at the financialisation of our services and what we can do about it. Plus: the Conservative party in the UK has won a major victory in the general elections. With major challenges for tax justice, what are the next steps for trade deal negotiations? Will Britain become a fully fledged Singapore-on-Thames? Our website: www.thetaxcast.com
Dec 19, 2019 • 34:58
Paradigm shifts on tax and 'the uncounted'
This month we speak to Tax Justice Network CEO Alex Cobham on his new book The Uncounted on the politics of counting. Who's missing from the stats, from the bottom to the very top? And how can we count better? Plus: For decades corporate tax cuts have been touted as the way to promote the economy. This month the Tax Justice Network's John Christensen talks about a paradigm shift on corporate tax in the UK general election: and we look at the results of Trump's corporate tax cuts in the US - d
Nov 21, 2019 • 38:44
Taxing wealth - how to triumph over injustice
In this month's episode we speak to Gabriel Zucman about his new book with co-author Emmanuel Saez - Triumph of Injustice: How the Rich Dodge Taxes and How to Make Them Pay. Plus, as Extinction Rebellion has held a fortnight of protests around the world over the climate emergency, we discuss the surprisingly small number of companies which determine whether investment will go into a better future, or onto a continued path of destruction. We discuss how tax justice and a different vision of growt
Oct 25, 2019 • 44:41
A New Vision for Europe amid the Brexit vortex
In this month's episode we discuss a new vision for Europe amid, or in spite of the Brexit vortex: plus - Britain's about to become the neighbour from hell, post-Brexit: how can the EU defend citizens from the race to the bottom on tax and regulations between nations precipitated by Britain's destructive 'Singapore-on-the-Thames' model?
Sep 27, 2019 • 34:31
Ethical accounting, Brexit crisis and threats to public health services
In this month's Taxcast: ethics and accountancy - yes they can go together! Plus: as Britain sinks into full crisis-mode over Brexit, we bring you unique analysis on some of the far-reaching consequences for the world, including threats to public health service models. And why does the new British government love Freeports so much?
Aug 28, 2019 • 42:41
Immigration as Reparations for global inequality
Immigration as reparations: we speak with multiple award winning Suketu Mehta about his new book: This Land Is Our Land: An Immigrant’s Manifesto on the fastest way to fix global inequalities and injustices. Also, we discuss France’s 3% digital tax which has so angered the US president and yet another sign of the collapse of the supposed international consensus on tax rules and which countries have the power to dominate those agreements. And, we discuss the high tensions with Iran in the Strait
Jul 23, 2019 • 36:58
Speaking tax justice in five languages
The Tax Justice Network now speaks tax justice in five languages on radio stations and podcast platforms across the world, each with their own unique content and style – English, Spanish, French, Arabic and now Portuguese. In this Taxcast special the podcast/radio producers come together to discuss their experiences of covering tax justice in their regions. Our website with all our podcasts: www.thetaxcast.com
Jul 15, 2019 • 25:19
The Corporate Tax Haven Index
This month we look at the new Corporate Tax Haven Index released by the Tax Justice Network. What does it tell us about the global economy and the international tax system? And how can we fix it? More information on the Corporate Tax Haven Index on https://cthi.taxjustice.net/en/
Jun 26, 2019 • 34:45
Transforming local economies: the Preston Model
In this special extended edition of the May 2019 Taxcast we go to Preston in the North of England to see the Preston Model in action and how they're transforming their local economy and democratising wealth. Plus: dark money and the European elections - elite interests aligning with the far right. And we ask: why doesn't Britain have its own Huawei?
May 23, 2019 • 45:59
Tax haven Jersey: inequality and dysfunction
In this special extended edition of the April 2019 Taxcast, broadcast from the tax haven of Jersey: - we explore Jersey's poor showing in the OECD's Better Life Index and ask why Jersey's spending so much money on improving it's bad image instead of setting up public registers of beneficial ownership information - we interview the tax haven of Jersey's former Chief Advisor to the government, one of Jersey's main architects of, and defenders of its offshore business model - we hear about Jersey's
Apr 25, 2019 • 44:32
Media Misreporting on Finance
This month we discuss misleading reporting from the mainstream media on the financial crisis: it was overloaded with finance 'experts', fed misunderstandings on the financial crash, sold us the austerity narrative and omitted alternative solutions. Plus: two huge court case tax and social justice wins - firstly, an unprecedented case in Kenya by Tax Justice Network Africa against the tax haven of Mauritius. Secondly, a US court has ruled that international financial institutions like the IMF and
Mar 21, 2019 • 33:29
#LuxLeaks: why no EU investigation?
In the February 2019 Taxcast: why hasn't the European Commission investigated any of the secret tax deals that were exposed by the LuxLeaks whistleblowers where tax authorities gave multi-national companies outrageously low tax rates? Plus 'aid' for whom? We discuss the financialisation of aid.
Feb 22, 2019 • 33:21
Oligopoly Capitalism
Naomi Fowler talks to investor and author Jonathan Tepper who’s co-written a book called ‘The Myth of Capitalism: Monopolies and the death of capitalism’ and explore monopolies, the dangers to consumers and citizens, and the suppression of true innovation: are we in the last stage of capitalism? Plus the Tax Justice Network's John Christensen discusses Congress woman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez's proposal for a 70% top marginal tax rate to be levied on incomes once they get to $10 million and above
Jan 24, 2019 • 34:25
Fair green taxes
In this month's podcast: time's running out to tackle climate crisis facing us all. We look at environmental taxes and making them fair. Plus we discuss the gilets jaunes in France, a movement that's been widely reported as anti-green taxes, but is in fact born from wider desperation for their 'let them eat cake' President Macron to reverse a series of policies that have worsened inequality in the country. We give Monsieur le President a lesson in how not to implement an environmental tax...
Dec 18, 2018 • 33:20
Whistleblowers
In this month's Taxcast: we look at how governments can better protect, encourage and even incentivise whistleblowers. Also: what do the latest Brexit developments tell us about dark money, the 'influence industry' and plutocracy? And, we hear from the UN's Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights Philip Alston on his findings from his UK visit.
Nov 22, 2018 • 35:54
The Finance Curse
In the October 2018 Taxcast: we speak to Nicholas Shaxson about his new book "The Finance Curse: How Global Finance Is Making Us All Poorer" released alongside new research from the Sheffield Political Economy Research Institute on the true costs of the City of London’s oversized finance sector to the British economy - £4.5 trillion in lost economic output over a 20 year period – that’s equivalent to £67,500 for every person in the UK, not far off $90,000. This research has serious implications
Oct 25, 2018 • 34:26
Moneyland
In the September 2018 Taxcast: we talk about 'Moneyland' and the transnational elite that have broken free of democratic control with journalist Oliver Bullough. Also, 10 years after the financial crash - how do we tackle the next one? Plus, we discuss the fifth aide of US President Trump to be convicted of, or admit criminal charges, and what it says about the spread of plutocracy.
Sep 20, 2018 • 35:41
Bermuda: poverty in paradise
In the August 2018 Taxcast: We ask why many Bermudians are leaving their beautiful island & why inequality levels have become so extreme despite it's huge offshore services centre. Plus we discuss the legal fight back against financial transparency gains, and we discuss tackling fake news from fake think tanks.
Aug 10, 2018 • 35:28
Firewall vs Big 4 accountants
In the July 2918 Taxcast: a firewall to protect EU citizens from the Big Four accountancy firms and the tax avoidance lobby. Plus, we discuss UN Rapporteur on Poverty and Human Rights Professor Philip Alston’s announced visit to the UK to look at austerity and the human rights consequences: his report on the US was hard-hitting and controversial. What will he make of the UK? Also, we look at Transparify’s 2018 think tank funding transparency rankings and talk about how opacity is the name of the
Jul 24, 2018 • 31:48
How accountants broke capitalism
We’ve had leak after leak, whistleblower after whistleblower. But no matter what the scandal is, when it comes to financial secrecy and tax dodging, the so-called big four accountancy firms are key players. We interview investigative journalist Richard Brooks of the Private Eye on his new book: Bean Counters: the triumph of the accountants and how they broke capitalism. Plus: Will President Trump be prosecuted for foundation fraud? And can a leopard change its spots? How come the secrecy jurisdi
Jun 28, 2018 • 31:49
Why we can’t afford the rich
In this month's Taxcast: We discuss why we can’t afford the rich and challenge ideas about wealth, entrepreneurialism and investment. Also: ten years ago the Tax Justice Network was told it’d never happen, but this month British MPs voted to stop secret ownership of companies in British Overseas Territories. The Crown Dependencies got away for now. But the pressure is on them as a UK Foreign Affairs Committee report says corrupt assets of Kremlin-connected individuals pouring in to London is a t
May 29, 2018 • 34:27
Women, girls, rights and tax
In this month's Taxcast: Tax justice, women and UN human rights conventions: how we may be beginning to hold governments to account. Also: we discuss scandal-hit Facebook's checks on whether overseas influencers are funding political ads in the United States and why they won't work. And is it time for a new model? How Mark Zuckerberg could become a hero. Plus: Norway does the responsible thing and decides not to invest its sovereign wealth fund in private equity. And India’s decade-long battle t
Apr 24, 2018 • 33:31
Laundering with language
In this month's Taxcast: They say history is written by the victors. So how can we rethink the way we use words about tax havens that reflect the reality of what's really happening? We talk to Alain Deneault about his new book in which he writes about laundering with language - Legalising Theft, a short guide to tax havens. Plus: we discuss the poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter on British soil and how by welcoming oligarchs with no questions asked, the City of London has compro
Mar 22, 2018 • 34:55
Killing the American Dream
In this month’s Taxcast: we look at the United States, Trump’s tax reforms and the killing of the American Dream. Plus: as we see yet another school shooting, should the powerful National Rifle Association continue to be a tax-exempt, non-profit organisation? And we discuss ongoing state-capture in Malta as the European Banking Authority investigates Pilatus bank, the subject of murdered journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia’s investigations. Can the Malta Financial Services Authority possibly be ‘f
Feb 27, 2018 • 33:09
The Financial Secrecy Index
In the January 2018 Taxcast we explore the results of the Tax Justice Network's Financial Secrecy Index just out, that tell the real story of global corruption. We look at the top ten worst global offenders, discuss the 4 key geographical political poles: the Far East, Europe, Britain plus its cluster of satellite tax havens, and the United States. And we discuss what countries can do independently and as regional blocs to defend themselves against the threats to their economies from offshore se
Jan 30, 2018 • 32:50
Secrecy World: Mossack Fonseca
We speak with Jake Bernstein about his new book 'Secrecy World' - we ask what makes offshore players like Jurgen Mossack and Ramon Fonseca tick, and what do the Panama Papers and now the Paradise Papers tell us about Presidents Putin, Trump and the transnational oligarchy? Also we analyse Tax Haven USA's tax reforms set to turbo-charge inequality in a country with weak gun controls, the EU's disappointing tax haven blacklist and how the race to the bottom on tax between nations won't stop at 0%.
Dec 14, 2017 • 36:26
Paradise Papers
In the November 2017 Taxcast: we discuss the latest offshore scandal, the Paradise Papers with one of the journalists who got the scoop, Frederik Obermaier of Suddeutsche Zeitung. We interpret the enquiries to Jersey from offshore lawyers looking for a new tax haven for Apple which they'd rather had remained secret, look at the anti-democratic processes the Paradise Papers uncover and ask - what now for tax justice?
Nov 23, 2017 • 30:05
Passports and residency for sale
In this month’s Taxcast we look at the booming business of passports and residency for sale, and why it should worry us all. Also, even the IMF now advocates wealth taxes to combat inequality, yet governments around the world – most recently President Macron of France – are going in the opposite direction despite all the evidence that it’s a bad idea, we discuss how Russia and the US are now world leaders in inequality and the good news that the European Commission has ordered Luxembourg to clai
Oct 23, 2017 • 31:19
The problem with GDP
In the September 2017 Taxcast we look at our over-reliance on unhelpful economic measures, like Gross Domestic Product and how it constrains us. Also: we discuss hurricanes, tax havens and disaster capitalism; and the bitcoin bubble - China may be closing its doors on it for the moment but tax havens like Switzerland are very interested…
Sep 21, 2017 • 30:00
10 years after the crash
In the August 2017 Taxcast: #10yearsafter the crash we ask - what will the next one look like? Can we avoid it? Also: Panama Papers fallout - another Prime Minister bites the dust, this time in Pakistan the offshore law firm Mossack Fonseca has closed 39 of its 45 offices around the world a UK court ruling spells the end for ‘employee benefit trusts’ being used by footballers to minimise their tax bills and the Bank Of England Governor has predicted Britain’s financial sector could double in si
Aug 17, 2017 • 31:49
Land Value Tax
In this month’s July 2017 Taxcast: we explore Land Value Tax and the billions in revenue we’re missing out on. Plus: Tax Haven USA signs up to potential sanctions and blacklisting of the few nations still refusing to comply with international financial transparency rules, which would er, include itself as the world’s prime offender. Did Team USA read the small print? And will the G20, OECD and the EU really blacklist one of the world’s biggest economies? Also, at last, Members of the European Pa
Jul 20, 2017 • 30:24
Tax justice tested by voters
In the June 2017 Taxcast we ask - has the UK just had its first tax justice general election? Are we seeing a popular shift towards tax justice in the UK and in the US? Is this the beginning of the end to our long austerity winter? How much do people REALLY care about taxes, who pays them and who doesn’t?
Jun 22, 2017 • 32:42
Britain’s Second Empire
In the May 2017 Taxcast: we talk to film director Michael Oswald about his new film The Spider’s Web: Britain’s Second Empire. Watch it here. Also, we discuss booming Sweden’s ‘reverse-Trumpism’: its economy grew almost twice as fast as the US last year – and it wasn’t achieved through cutting taxes. Plus: the Russian Parliament is considering sweeteners that would accelerate Crimea's progress further along the tax haven and secrecy jurisdiction route.
May 24, 2017 • 32:26
The Panama Papers, 1 year on
We look at the Panama Papers, one year on - we talk to the journalists who got the scoop. Plus: we discuss the raid on Credit Suisse, and new data exposing the profit shifting shennanigans of the EU's biggest banks.
Apr 20, 2017 • 31:25
The High Cost of our Finance Sectors
We look at the high price we’re paying for our finance sectors – we look at staggering statistics showing how the US finance sector is a net drag on their economy. Also, as the British government initiates Brexit divorce negotiations to leave the EU, we discuss something they ought to know, but obviously don’t – they’re actually in a very weak position. Could it mean the beginning of the end of the finance curse gripping the UK economy? Read: The High Cost of High Finance here https://roosevelti
Mar 23, 2017 • 30:15
Financial transaction taxes
In the February 2017 Taxcast: how financial transaction taxes can protect us from finance sectors dragging our economies down. Plus: the Swiss referendum - taxpayers have refused to pick up the tab for corporate tax 'reforms'. What does that mean for one of world's biggest tax haven players? Also, we discuss President Trump’s valentine gift for kleptocrats and the extractives industry as he repeals anti-corruption regulations - the criminal race to the bottom is on. And, the influence of dark mo
Feb 23, 2017 • 33:01
Public contracts: tax dodger free zones
In the January 2017 Taxcast we look at tax justice and public procurement - the efforts to hit tax dodging companies where it really hurts on a local level – trying to stop them bidding for public money for public contracts. Also: how massive amounts of money are flowing into Tax Haven USA to circumvent the flawed Common Reporting Standard - South Dakota is apparently raking in tax evading capital the slippery world of ‘residence planning’ and the ‘synthetic residency’ dodge we discuss the UK’s
Jan 19, 2017 • 31:08
Trusts and ownership avoidance
In trusts we trust? We look at the new game in town: beneficial ownership avoidance, the booming industry in alternative escape vehicles from public registers and why we must shine the spotlight on all of them. Plus: we discuss two big stories we think will define 2017: the race to the bottom between nations on tax aka a transfer of wealth to the corporate community, and how the world's biggest havens are increasingly having to account for the devastating effect their tax and/or financial secrec
Dec 20, 2016 • 31:51
Tax Inspectors Without Borders
We look at Tax Inspectors Without Borders – a practical project that’s changing lives and aiming to level the global playground of tax minimising multinational companies. Plus: what does new US President Trump mean for tax justice? In Trusts we trust? The French Constitutional Court upholds a challenge to France’s trailblazing public register of Trusts: what does it mean for progress on financial transparency?
Nov 17, 2016 • 29:51
The offshorisation of Iceland
We look at the offshorisation of Iceland's economy, its collapse and recovery. Also, Brazil adds Ireland to its tax haven black list and Panama threatens anyone who dares call it a tax haven with a new law...plus more scandal and unique analysis you won't find anywhere else.
Oct 20, 2016 • 31:17
The laundromat and the conman
How a conman can devastate the lives of thousands of ordinary people, aided and abetted by the offshore industry - with banks, law firms and accountants all happy to look the other way and not ask questions. Plus, we discuss the latest leak from the Bahamas, #BahamasLeaks, and Apple's 13 billion euro underpaid tax bill: a defining moment in the battle between the low/no-tax world big corporations would like to see and democratic, accountable governance in the public interest.
Sep 23, 2016 • 30:24
Breaking up the Big 4 accountancy firms
The Big Four accountancy firms: Are they in fact more like the Big One? And should they be broken up? Also: the Duke of Westminster's 9 billion tax free inheritance and how his family history forms the legal basis for the justification of tax avoidance around the world; how come the world's biggest banks are now officially endorsing transparency measures? And...so much for Panama cleaning up its act post-Panama Papers scandal: we discuss the demise of Panama's not-so-transparent Transparency Co
Aug 19, 2016 • 29:41
'Hello. This is John Doe. Interested in data?' Panama Papers
'Hello. This is John Doe. Interested in data? I'm happy to share.' We talk to the two journalists who got the Panama Papers scoop, Bastian Obermayer and Frederik Obermaier who've written a book about their experience. Plus: what does Brexit mean for tax justice? We discuss the F4 (unholy) alliance between Switzerland, Hong Kong, Singapore and the UK, and the accelerated corporate tax race to the bottom.
Jul 21, 2016 • 30:09
The missing trillions offshored #54
How different could the lives of those in poverty have been without secrecy jurisdictions? We give you the very latest estimates on the missing trillions offshored from the world's developing regions. Also: #Brexit and the special interests behind it: “Nakedly, brazenly, they're pushing the City of London's deregulated, criminal approach to finance”. Plus, the Panama Papers shed some light on secretive, pro-tax haven US lobbying group the Center for Freedom and Prosperity's funders.
Jun 23, 2016 • 30:10
Corruption's not what you think #53
What is corruption? Well, that's a political question, and the answer depends on who you ask. We discuss the anti-corruption summit in the City of London, the world's capital of sleaze and ask if the sun ever set on the colonial era and the idea that corruption is a poor country issue. We explore extortive corruption versus collusive corruption and look at a new Poll which indicates for the first time the vast gulf between what the British people consider corrupt, and what has become a 'normal'
May 21, 2016 • 30:08
Whistleblowers, prisoners of conscience #52
We discuss the biggest offshore leak in history, the #PanamaPapers: could it provide an opportunity for nations to expand their secrecy market share? Once again, all eyes are on Trusts... Also, as the #LuxLeaks whistleblower Antoine Deltour's trial begins in Luxembourg, we ask why protections for whistleblowers are being eroded and what it says about the state of our democracy. An extended Taxcast this month presented and produced for the Tax Justice Network by @Naomi_Fowler You can read the Tax
Apr 22, 2016 • 34:00
Bank Whistleblowers United #51
Is the US president really serious about tackling corruption in the finance sector? Are the presidential candidates? Now they can prove it. Bank Whistleblowers United tell us how they can restore the rule of law to Wall Street and avoid the next financial crisis in 60 days without any new legislation. Plus: why a wave of tax amnesties is likely to sweep across the world (how does 1% tax and immunity from prosecution sound?) and what the very first transparency data on banks exposes about how the
Mar 23, 2016 • 31:22
Tax haven USA undercover investigation #50
Which country is the second easiest in the world after Kenya to set up an anonymous shell company? We shine the spotlight on Tax haven USA and the lawyers secretly filmed by Global Witness advising a fake corrupt African government Minister. Also: we discuss Google's tiny tax payment in the UK, how politicians are interfering with the independence of our tax authorities, and the rise of the unnoticed tax haven of Taiwan. Plus more scandal and analysis.
Feb 19, 2016 • 32:39
What's Scotland got to do with the plunder of Moldova? #49
What's Scotland got to do with the plunder of Moldova? We take a look at the 'Wild West' of Scottish Limited Partnerships. Also, we discuss the tensions in the EU; is the net finally closing on multinational companies, the tax minimisation deals they've been getting from various European countries and the big four accountancy firms who advised them? Just how bad was the sell off of one of Colombia's most profitable power generation companies? And what's former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair got to
Jan 22, 2016 • 32:11
Inside the world of the wealth managers #48
We get some insights into the usually closed world of the wealth managers who serve the super-rich. Plus:on a par with Kissinger being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize? We discuss how the British Banker's Association's got one of their own into the UK government Treasury, why Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg's $35 billion 'charity' pledge isn't what it seems, and the anonymous survey of accountants that shows corruption is rife and the self-regulating profession can no longer be trusted.
Dec 15, 2015 • 30:54
#LuxLeaks, more secrets 1 year later #47
Why is the City of London losing so much business to New York, Hong Kong and Singapore? Our conclusions are quite different from those of a British Bankers Association report on the subject. Plus: the crazy UK-China nuclear power station deal: a sweetener for closer ties between the two nation's financial sectors? One year after #LuxLeaks exposed some of the secret tax deals being done between government tax authorities and multinational corporations we ask how many more 'illegal state aid' deal
Nov 21, 2015 • 30:05
The remittance cartel: 'taxing of the poor' #46
We look at the remittance cartel, their 'taxing of the poor' with monopoly prices in a juicy $450-500 billion market. Also: 'comfort letters' and the game changing European Commission ruling that the tax agreements between Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Starbucks and Fiat constitute illegal state aid, we analyse the rich country club of the OECD's BEPS proposals for reform of the global corporate tax system: will it really address corporate tax avoidance and evasion?
Oct 23, 2015 • 29:41
Derivatives and the next financial crisis #45
When's the next financial crisis? We look at offshore and the trillion dollar derivatives market. Plus: we discuss how Mexico's trying to force multinational companies to pay more tax, why recent market madness originating in China shows we need a Financial Transactions Tax more than ever, and why the recent election by a landslide of opposition leader in Britain's Labour party Jeremy Corbyn could be a game-changer.
Sep 23, 2015 • 30:18
Sun, sea and tax: multinationals and tourism #44
Sun, sea and tax: the Taxcast goes to Mexico and looks at how multinational tourism operates there. Plus: why Luxembourg is printing euros like there's no tomorrow, Brazil offers its tax dodgers an amnesty, and we ask how much longer 'emerging economies' and other countries left out of the reform of global tax rules will put up with it.
Aug 20, 2015 • 30:18
Crisis in Greece #43
In an extended Taxcast special we look at the crisis in Greece and ask whatever happened to European unity? Plus we discuss the European Parliament's vote to make multinational coporations report their activities on a public, country-by-country basis, a push to give poorer countries a say in global tax rule-making fails after three days of bullying in Addis Ababa, BUT Tax Inspectors Without Borders gets the green light. Plus more scandal and unique analysis.
Jul 19, 2015 • 37:04
Corruption in international football #42
Racketeering, money laundering and bribery in international football: the FIFA scandal demonstrates everything that's wrong with global finance and attitudes to business. Also: the EU Commission releases a laughable tax haven blacklist with some glaring omissions, we put FIFA's auditors KPMG under the spotlight, and Walmart is exposed for paying minimal taxes.
Jun 20, 2015 • 30:44
Making Parliamentarian's tax returns public: the Pakistan case #41
In the May 2015 Taxcast: Do our politicians believe in the societies they serve or not? The Taxcast looks at making the tax returns of our elected representatives public, and the inspirational achievement of journalist Umar Cheema of the Centre for Investigative Reporting in making Pakistan only the fourth country in the world to publish the tax returns of its Parliamentarians. Also: how the British general election demonstrates political capture by financial interests; libertarian paradise - th
May 22, 2015 • 29:03
Women, unpaid work and tax justice #40
How just are our tax systems towards women? One Texan husband did the sums on what his stay-at-home wife's unpaid work was really worth in monetary terms. Plus: one of the USA's biggest corporations (and tax avoiders) is repatriating billions from offshore and re-focusing on good old manufacturing again, and remember how the UK Prime Minister was 'leading the world' in transparency measures not so long ago? We discuss a letter a former Cayman Islands lobbyist and Conservative peer wrote to reass
Apr 23, 2015 • 31:08
Democracy for sale: tax haven-friendly donors #39
Democracy for sale: how our politics are heavily reliant on tax haven-friendly donors. Also, we ask: Why is HSBC shutting down offshore accounts in Jersey? Are we in the final few years of the corporate income tax? Is Australia's exempting of big companies from new transparency rules a joke? Plus more scandal and analysis you won't find anywhere else.
Mar 21, 2015 • 30:14
What does a bank have to do to lose its licence?! #38
Just what does a bank have to do to lose its licence?! We look at the fall out from HSBCLeaks and ask how can we genuinely tackle criminality in global finance? Also: the latest research on crimes and fines in banking; why a recent threat to have UK Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories blacklisted won't exactly have them shaking in their shoes; plus more scandal and unique analysis.
Feb 22, 2015 • 28:57
The Offshore Game: football's own goal #37
How offshore is ruining the 'Beautiful Game' - the Taxcast scrutinises football's own goal. Also: how banks with criminal convictions are being allowed to continue to handle our money, how people may be allowed to apply for anonymity in the UK's register of beneficial owners to be introduced in 2016, and the meeting of the world's most powerful in that bastion of transparency, Davos, Switzerland. Plus more scandal and unique analysis.
Jan 23, 2015 • 29:46
'Mafia Capitale': corruption of democracy #36
In the December 2014 Taxcast: how mafia is corrupting democracy at the heart of Europe in Italy's capital city of Rome. Also, the #LuxLeaks whistleblower is arrested and makes his first public statements on why he did it, the UK Chancellor's 'Google Tax', is the EU Commission President backing away from making a register of the real owners of copmpanies and trusts public? Plus more scandal and unique analysis.
Dec 16, 2014 • 29:26
Ukraine teaches the world about tackling corruption #35
In the November 2014 Taxcast: 'You can lie and you can steal from us but this time we'll know who you are': Ukraine becomes the first country in the world to introduce a public registry of the real owners of companies. The Taxcast speaks to the Director of Ukraine's Anti-Corruption Action Centre about stopping corruption that continues to cost lives. Also: we take a look at the fallout from the latest leaks from the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists on corporate tax avoidance
Nov 24, 2014 • 29:51
How much is corporate welfare costing us? #34
How much is corporate welfare costing us? Across the US they're going to start publishing the subsidies and tax breaks. We take a look at the latest research in the UK. Also: Ireland announces it'll abolish the 'Double Irish' tax dodge after the EU Commission finds Apple's tax deal is 'illegal state aid'. But what will they replace it with? Australians discover the true state of the tax contributions made by their top companies, and Tax Justice Network Africa makes history taking the Kenyan gove
Oct 22, 2014 • 26:15
'Unpatriotic corporate deserters' #33
In the September 2014 Taxcast: 'unpatriotic corporate deserters'? We ask why so many US companies are relocating. Also, the less reported side of the Scottish vote on independence, the OECD's latest 'action' plan on tackling international tax avoidance and much, much more.
Sep 23, 2014 • 29:41
High denomination bills and money laundering #32
In the August 2014 Taxcast: when was the last time you used a £100 bill, a 500 euro note or a 1,000 Swiss Franc note? We look at how Western Central banks and Treasuries are facilitating crime through high denomination bills. Also, tax haven reputation damage-management, Switzerland pulls a fast one on India, the European bankers raking in the bonuskis from sanctions against Russia and how the tax haven of Mauritius is...erm...expanding its portfolio. "I think it's terrible public policy to faci
Aug 22, 2014 • 29:05
Don't be evil Google! Tax justice at the shareholder meeting #31
What really happened at the Google Shareholder meeting vote on a proposal for ethical tax principles? Plus: we discuss what the new tax haven-friendly EU Commission President might now do (or not do), anti-democratic moves in Hong Kong by the big four accountancy firms, and: forget the OECD's global tax reforms - developing countries can, and are doing it for themselves. But will the new BRICS Development Bank do any better? And much more...
Jul 22, 2014 • 28:36
Capital in the 21st Century #30
In the June 2014 Taxcast: the guillotine vs progressive taxation. the Taxcast looks at Thomas Piketty's book Capital in the 21st Century. Also: welcome to the temporary tax haven of World Cup Brazil; the EU Commission begins investigations into illegal state aid for tax havens; and are developing countries really not interested in tracking illicit outflows from their countries? Plus more scandals
Jun 23, 2014 • 29:57
Privatisation and tax justice #29
In the May 2014 Taxcast: the Taxcast looks at privatisation and tax: what happens when public assets or services get into private hands? Also, Google's challenged on its tax affairs by its own shareholders; will Congress block the US government's decision to agree to the G20's global transparency standard? And whatever happened to the UK's 'leadership' on public registers of the real owners of companies now it turns out it'll 'encourage' but not 'force' its overseas territories and crown depende
May 23, 2014 • 27:51
US States are doin it for themselves: DIY tax justice #28
In the April 2014 Taxcast: Forget Congress! The Taxcast looks at the latest US state to take matters into its own hands and legislate against tax havens. Also: the scandal of how the Bank for International Settlements has kept offshore wealth data to itself, the British government tries to impress its friends in Washington with a 'tough' new tax evasion offence, taxing problems in Nigeria and...how will UK Parliamentarian Lord Blencathra manage now his £12,000 (c. $20,000) a month contract with
Apr 23, 2014 • 0:00
Londongrad and the offshore threat to global security #27
In the March 2014 Taxcast: Russia, Ukraine, Londongrad and the offshore threat to global security. Also: modern day colonialism? Niger battles France over fairer revenues from its uranium; it's official - inequality IS bad for economic growth: the IMF becomes an unlikely advocate for tax justice. And, the European Parliament moves against anonymous ownership of companies by voting for public registers of beneficial owners.
Mar 21, 2014 • 24:27
The Bahamas is broke - tax the poor?! #26
In the February 2014 Taxcast: Are European tax havens getting 'illegal state subsidies'? The European Union's Competition Commissioner thinks so. Are the world's tax havens really going to become more transparent? We analyse the OECD's automatic information exchange proposal, warts and all. And, the tax haven of the Bahamas is broke – the government's solution? Tax the poor! We look at the Bahamian campaign against a Value Added Tax and their demands for a freedom of information act.
Feb 19, 2014 • 23:49
Tax incentives, Africa-style #25
In the January 2014 Taxcast: Tax justice goes to the Cayman Islands; we look at the latest fall-out from #OffshoreLeaks, the expose on tax havens from the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists; and HOW much is Africa spending on corporate tax breaks??? The Taxcast looks at tax incentives, Africa-style.
Jan 21, 2014 • 23:06
Lawyers and tax justice: how long can business as usual continue? #24
In the December 2013 Taxcast: the clock's ticking for Swiss banks, OECD countries are failing to collect enough information on the real owners of companies, and the Taxcast looks at tax and human rights: lawyers have escaped pulic scrutiny for their role in tax abuse. So far...
Dec 20, 2013 • 22:15
President Kennedy vs tax havenry + pariah States #23
In the November 2013 Taxcast: the movers and the shakers in the 2013 Financial Secrecy Index, the pariah states trying to wreck new global transparency measures, and 50 years ago this month US President John F Kennedy was assassinated. Did you know he was trying to tackle tax havens?
Nov 21, 2013 • 20:03
The oil company with 60 sets of books #22
In the October 2013 Taxcast: Swiss villagers send some of profit shifting mining giant GlencoreXstrata's money to humanitarian projects, tax havens do some window dressing and HOW many sets of accounts does a multinational corporation really need to file their tax returns? The David and Goliath story of tax collection - even for the United States.
Oct 22, 2013 • 23:07
what do Tina Turner and Muammar Gadaffi have in common? The Swiss shuffle #21
In the September 2013 Taxcast: The Netherlands is getting worried about it's bad reputation - and not because of it's red light district, China steps aboard the G20 automatic information exchange train and what do Tina Turner and Muammar Gaddafi have in common? The Taxcast breaks down the dance moves for the Swiss Shuffle.
Sep 23, 2013 • 23:12
The Carbon Tax in British Columbia #20
In the August 2013 Taxcast: we look at why development money is being invested in developing countries via tax havens and the under-reported elements of the tensions between Spain and Britain over the territory of Gibraltar. Also: tax and the environment - making the polluter pay instead of paying the polluter: the Taxcast investigates the Carbon Tax in British Columbia, Canada
Aug 23, 2013 • 22:33
Unilateral action vs corporate tax cheating, no more summits #19
In the July 2013 Taxcast: We analyse the OECD's Action Plan it says is going to tackle corporate tax cheating. And who needs the OECD, the G20 or the G8 anyway? The Taxcast looks at alternative working models governments could implement NOW without any more summits: Japan introduced its Tax Haven Counter Measure Law in the 1970s and Mexico has a tax haven black list and the Dictamen Fiscal rule to help it hold multinational corporations to account.
Jul 22, 2013 • 24:39
Nations read the small print of tax treaties and pull out #18
'Coulds' and 'shoulds' but any real action? We analyse what the G8 summit did for tax justice and why some tax havens may get a competitive advantage. And while the world waits for reform the Taxcast looks at how some countries are finding creative ways around the current global tax system.
Jun 25, 2013 • 23:27
The Lord of War: how secrecy kills #17
In May's 2013 Taxcast: Google and Apple are forced to defend their tax affairs in public, how anti-EU sentiment serves offshore interests and the Taxcast looks at tax havens and the arms trade: how secrecy kills. The Lord of War makes an appearance...
May 23, 2013 • 22:23
Fake foreign direct investment in India #16
In April 2013's Taxcast: offshore leaks blows the lid off secrecy for sale, the G20 endorse greater transparency (but let's not get too excited) Luxembourge agrees to lift its banking secrecy, Austria next? And the Taxcast takes a look at fake foreign direct investment.
Apr 23, 2013 • 20:30
A frustrated corporate tax inspector speaks #15
In March 2013's Taxcast: the crisis in Cyprus and the risk tax havens pose to the global economy, a surprise earthquake for UK-affiliated tax havens and a frustrated corporate tax inspector speaks out on the corrupting of the tax system.
Mar 24, 2013 • 19:49
The trouble with the OECD #14
In February 2013's Taxcast: Transparency for French banks, taxing the digital economy aka how to worry Google and Amazon, G8 leaders talk up reform of the global tax system - but will they walk the talk? And...is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It's the OECD! The Taxcast takes a closer look.
Feb 21, 2013 • 18:41
Google Capitalism #13
In January 2013's Taxcast: a significant ruling against Dell in Spain, India delays rules that would have tackled corporate tax abuse until 2016, the EU threatens to blacklist Switzerland AND we take a look at 'Google Capitalism' (An extended edition to kick off 2013 of just under 20 mins)
Jan 23, 2013 • 19:50
Google's not doing real business in Bermuda...#12
In the December 2012 Taxcast: Are banks too big to prosecute? Thanks but no thanks to Starbucks cynical offer to pay some corporation tax after all and we discuss a new system rating corporate tax responsibility for consumers that will be out in 2013. And - how we can reform our tax system to stop abuse.
Dec 20, 2012 • 15:03
The Finance Curse #11
In the November 2012 Taxcast: is it the beginning of the end of tax avoidance by multi-national corporations? Some countries fight back. And the Finance Curse - why an oversized finance sector's bad for an economy. A special extended edition.
Nov 22, 2012 • 16:42
Following the money: dictators and the selling of secrecy #10
In the October 2012 Taxcast: Helsinki declares itself a tax haven-free zone, Starbucks joins the tax avoidance Roll of Dishonour and we follow the money: asset recovery, dictators and the selling of secrecy.
Oct 22, 2012 • 15:17
The 'pin-stripe mafia' aka the 'big 4' accountancy firms #9
In the September 2012 Taxcast: A whistleblower reward threatens Swiss banking secrecy - where will the money go next? Bangladesh considers expanding a regressive VAT tax and Professor Prem Sikka on the neglected role of the Big Four accountancy firms aka the 'pin-stripe mafia.'
Sep 22, 2012 • 15:02
The Spirit Level: inequality #8
In the August 2012 Taxcast: capital flight in Africa AND now in Europe, Olympian Usain Bolt fails to champion his tax affairs, and the Spirit Level writers Kate Pickett and Richard Wilkinson on tax and inequality. There's even an extra minute this month!
Aug 23, 2012 • 16:07
The temporary tax haven of the Olympics #7
In the July 2012 Taxcast: Why there are no prosecutions at HSBC bank, a tax justice victory in Norway, new research reveals the amount of offshore wealth is higher than anybody thought. And we look at the temporary tax haven of the London Olympics.
Jul 22, 2012 • 15:03
Trade mispricing - the tricks of the trade #6
In the June 2012 Taxcast: celebrity tax avoidance, Greece's missing billions, what should have been on the G20 agenda and trade mispricing - the tricks of the trade.
Jun 24, 2012 • 15:06
Europe considers Financial Transaction Taxes #5
In the May 2012 Taxcast: Tax haven insiders speak out, the co-founder of Facebook unfriends the US, and Europe considers a Financial Transaction Tax.
May 23, 2012 • 15:04
Zambian miners paying more tax than the mining company #4
In the April 2012 Taxcast: Amazon's tax affairs, the global tax cut race to the bottom, India tackles tax havens and the miners in Zambia who pay more tax than the multi-national mining company.
Apr 23, 2012 • 15:04
The ABCs of setting up letterbox companies. It's child's play! #3
In the March 2012 Taxcast: Apple i-tax dodging, reclaiming Arab Spring country assets, the rich country club of the OECD and the ABCs of setting up letterbox companies. It's child's play!
Mar 22, 2012 • 14:34
The City of London tax haven: state within a state #2
In the February 2012 Taxcast: Are City of London Police really serious about prosecuting financial crimes? Are bankers paying fair taxes on their bonuses? And how Facebook is saving billions in tax via Ireland and Bermuda. Special focus this month: the tax haven of the City of London, semi-autonmous state within a state.
Feb 23, 2012 • 14:52
