Latest development archive
- 1 February - New UK penalties for offshore tax evasion
- 17 January - Wikileaks in possession of private Swiss account information
- 17 January - Switzerland refuses to agree to automatic exchange of information in Italian DTA
- 10 December - IRS 'strongly considering' new offshore voluntary disclosure program
- 22 November - IRS considering offshore account amnesty
- 22 November - Italy calls for automatic exchange of tax information from Switzerland
- 22 November - Credit Suisse fights Canadian court order requiring disclosure of client information
- 22 November - India estimates $462bn lost in illicit offshore asset transfers
- 18 November - US ends UBS inquiry
- 18 November - UBS outlines potential cost of new Swiss tax treaties
- 18 November - Ireland gains access to Swiss bank account information
- 15 November - UK continues to target offshore jurisdictions
- 12 November - Second memorandum clarifies LDF
- 12 November - Globally, governments taking tougher line on offshore tax avoidance
- 9 November - Swiss agree DTA with Oman containing provisions beneficial to Switzerland
- 4 November - Revised Swiss-France DTA comes into force
- 1 November - Israeli bank requires US customers to disclose accounts' existence to IRS
- 26 October - UK/Switzerland sign agreement to negotiate a new tax information exchange agreement
- 7 October - HSBC condemn governments for paying for stolen data
- 7 October - American HSBC clients convicted of tax evasion
- 7 October - Germany and Liechtenstein to agree DTA
- 6 October - Gibraltar's shedding of tax haven status paying off
- 4 October - Swiss-German treaty proposal may preserve some secrecy
- 4 October - Italian bankers leave Switzerland as scrutiny increases
- 1 October - French authorities investigate Canadian HSBC customers
- 1 October - First OECD review reveals deficiencies in countries' tax information regimes
- 30 September - Philippines moved to OECD white list
- 30 September - HMRC targeting HSBC clients
- 30 September - US considering enacting additional information gathering powers
- 16 August - HMRC invites assistance from offshore account holders
- 16 August - German authorities investigate Credit Suisse clients
- 3 August - Malta, Cyprus Off Italian Blacklist
- 3 August - Liechtenstein Disclosure Facility - Amnesty on secret accounts disappoints
- 28 July - Guernsey: automatic exchange of income interest information - commencement date set
- 21 July - Liechtenstein banks seek customers' compliance with UK tax laws
- 21 July - Swiss courts reject attempt to halt UBS data handover
- 19 July - Swiss lawyer indicted for conspiring to defraud the IRS with client of HSBC
- 19 July - Italian Government provides details on sources of repatriated funds
- 14 July - German police raid Credit Suisse offices as part of an ongoing tax evasion investigation
- 12 July - US investigation into HSBC widens
- 12 July - Jersey and Portugal sign TIEA
- 12 July - Liechtenstein passes disclosure facility legislation
- 6 July - US begins probe of HSBC clients with Singaporean or Indian accounts
- 2 July - Brazil temporarily lifts blacklisting of Switzerland
- 30 June - OECD likely to outline next step of international tax administration
- 30 June - Liechtenstein's parliament to vote on end to banking secrecy
- 24 June - UK and Hong Kong sign Double Tax Treaty
- 24 June - Spain targets Spaniards with Swiss accounts
- 22 June - Italian tax amnesty angers San Marino
- 18 June - American UBS clients could have mere hours to disclose their accounts to the IRS
- 17 June - Gibraltar ends tax haven status
- 17 June - San Marino attacks Italy's tax amnesty and delays in TIEA negotiations
- 17 June - Swiss Parliament approves UBS deal
- 15 June - Swiss parliament approves US-UBS tax evasion agreement
- 14 June - UBS hands over details of 500 accounts with account-holders' consents
- 14 June - Tax amnesty yields 5.6bn Euros for Italy and sees over 100bn Euros repatriated
- 14 June - German probe into Credit Suisse customers continues
- 11 June - Germany decides to purchase stolen data on 20,000 Swiss account holders
- 11 June - UBS deal to be voted on again in Swiss Parliament next week
- 9 June - Switzerland placed on Brazil's tax haven list
- 9 June - UBS deal rejected in Swiss Parliament
- 9 June - IRS confirms that joint audits with foreign revenue authorities being considered
- 4 June - Canadian court orders disclosure of suspected tax evaders' bank details
- 4 June - Swiss senate approves UBS deal
- 3 June - France and Panama agree double-tax treaty
- 3 June - Australian off-shore disclosure facility enters final month
- 3 June - Brazil and Indonesia's OECD rankings revised up
- 3 June - Australia announces new off-shore anti-avoidance legislation
- 2 June - Swiss Parliament criticises handling of UBS affair
- 28 May - Cayman Islands and Japan agree TIEA
- 28 May - Italian authorities continue investigation of bank declarations
- 27 May - Swiss foreign affairs committee approves UBS deal
- 27 May - Hong Kong and Austria sign new DTA
- 27 May - Bermuda and Italy sign TIEA
- 27 May - Fuller details of HSBC information obtained by Italy revealed
- 27 May - Uruguay proposes changes to its banking secrecy laws
- 20 May - Italian police begin investigation of 7,000 tax payers with HSBC data provided by France
- 20 May - Dominica, Grenada and Saint Lucia's OECD status upgraded
- 20 May - Uncertainty concerning ratification of US-Switzerland UBS deal
- 20 May 2010 - Uncertainty concerning ratification of US-Switzerland UBS deal
- 20 May 2010 - Dominica, Grenada and Saint Lucia's OECD status upgraded
- 20 May 2010 - Italian police begin investigation of 7,000 tax payers with HSBC data provided by France
- 18 May - US court actions could still be brought against UBS
- 6 May - Liechtenstein attempt to attract business and investors with tax overhaul
- 5 May - US tax authorities to investigate thousands more of suspected tax dodgers
- 5 May - Indian tax authorities target those travelling to tax havens
- 28 April - Swiss bankers toughening stance on suspect European clients
- 26 April - Liechtenstein agrees TIEAs with UK, France and ten other countries
- 21 April - Hong Kong and Switzerland agree DTA and tax administration assistance
- 21 April - Poland and Switzerland agree an amendment to their DTA
- 19 April - HMRC pays for tax evasion tip-offs
- 19 April - OECD crack-down on tax havens seen as toothless
- 16 April - Hong Kong responds to IRS's move to increase staffing in the territory
- 16 April - Australia requests client information from banks
- 16 April - HSBC clients charged in US with concealing off-shore accounts
- 15 April - Liechtenstein will not assist tax investigations founded on stolen information
- 15 April - Swiss political party says it will act to enable US-UBS deal
- 15 April - French Tax authorities begin investigation with stolen HSBC account date
- 15 April - Italy asks French authorities to give it access to HSBC accounts data
- 14 April - St Vincent and the Grenadines now on OECD's white list
- 8 April - Increase in number of Americans giving up citizenship in response to aggressive IRS
- 7 April - IRS begins fresh round of prosecutions against UBS customers
- 6 April - IRS tax unit aimed at the wealthy begins operations
- 6 April - UK signs TIEAs with Grenada and Dominica
- 1 April - German financial regulator begins investigation of UBS Germany
- 1 April - US and Switzerland reach agreement over release of UBS information
- 31 March - Hong Kong and Japan agree Double Taxation Treaty
- 31 March - Growing calls in France for removal of tax shield for the wealthy
- 30 March - Philippines banking secrecy law revised in bid for 'white list'
- 30 March - OECD considers bank code of conduct
- 29 March - Germany and Switzerland reach agreement on new DTA
- 29 March - St Kitts and Nevis elevated to OECD white list
- 29 March - Switzerland and Greece agree an amended DTA
- 29 March - IRS focusing on tax evasion through Asian jurisdictions
- 26 March - Italian Revenue targets offshore property owners
- 26 March - Cayman Islands to sign 16 further TIEA
- 25 March - UK Budget targets use of offshore funds
- 25 March - Swiss regulators advise Swiss banks to avoid taking on new US clients
- 23 March - UK budget expected to provide for 200% fines for tax evaders
- 23 March - US court sentences UBS client to six months' house arrest for tax evasion
- 22 March - Germany investigating 1,000 Credit Suisse account holders
- 22 March - Hong Kong signs tax treaty with Netherlands; more expected
- 19 March - Many high net worth Britons unaware of Lichtenstein Disclosure Facility
- 17 March - Banks warn Australia's wealthy of looming penalties for tax evasion
- 16 March - IRS could launch prosecution of another foreign bank within a month
- 14 March - HMRC to receive Swiss bank account details
- 12 March - Swiss regulators want new rules to protect bank data
- 11 March - Some Israeli banks forcing out US clients
- 10 March - The Bahamas signs multiple TIEAs; will exit OECD 'grey list'
- 10 March - Swiss party against approval of UBS deal with U.S.
- 9 March - Liechtenstein woos investors with tax amnesty
- 8 March - HMRC may have overestimated amnesty tax haul
- 4 March - Germany to buy more stolen bank data
- 3 March - Germany receives stolen bank data
- 2 March - OECD to list tax offences as money laundering
- 2 March - U.S. looking at 7,000 accounts at foreign banks
- 2 March - Swiss court deals further blow to US-UBS deal
- 2 March - UBS handed bill for govt costs in U.S. tax case
- 25 February - Swiss seek fix to black assets in bilateral talks
- 1 March - Costa Rica seeks removal from tax haven status
- 1 March - Korea, Switzerland in talks to exchange financial information
- 24 February - Swiss government seeks parliament's approval of UBS deal
- 24 February - Germany will not offer tax amnesty
- 23 February - Andorra signs tax accords; OECD to elevate to 'white list'
- 22 February - OECD elevates Malaysia to 'white list'
- 21 February - Swiss minister: distinction between tax fraud and tax evasion should be eliminated
- 17 February - HSBC account holder pleads guilty to evading US tax
- 15 February - $500 billion has left 'offshore' accounts in Europe in last 2 years
- 14 February - Swiss politician threatens retaliation over stolen bank data
- 8 February - UK considers buying stolen bank data from Germany
- 4 February - Germany buys stolen bank data, expects wave of disclosures
- 3 February - Swiss accuse Germany of 'bank robbery' in stolen data row
- 3 February - US budget proposal boosts funding for tax compliance initiatives
- 2 February - UBS denies German client's tax evasion aid allegations
- 31 January - Swiss warn UBS bank could collapse
- 30 January - Informant offers to sell Swiss bank data to German authorities
- 28 January - UK High Court gives green light for offshore tax clawback
- 29 January - Israel considers partial tax amnesty
- 28 January - Swiss cabinet seeks 'solution' in UBS case
- 27 January - Swiss settle tax dispute with France
- 27 January - U.K. to Crack Down on Tax Evasion in Developing Countries
- 27 January - UBS Chairman: Swiss court has created an 'extremely difficult situation'
- 24 January - Parliament urged to resolve UBS data question
- 22 January - Swiss Ruling Jeopardizes Deal for UBS Clients' Names
- 22 January - UK signs TIEAs with four Caribbean countries
- 21 January - Swiss court to rule on transfer of UBS account data
- 21 January - OECD backs use of stolen data to catch tax cheats
- 21 January - Swiss to exclude stolen data from tax cooperation
- 18 January - OECD warns Ghana against becoming tax haven
- 17 January - HMRC may target vets and lawyers in next amnesty
- 15 January - OECD identifies six territories still lagging behind on tax treaties
- 14 January - Swiss bankers seek clarity on sharing of client data
- 14 January - Chile joins OECD, becomes first South American member
- 13 January - Swiss Cabinet supports Swiss financial authority in UBS row
- 13 January - Swiss financial authority may appeal
- 13 January - UK Revenue launches tax amnesty for doctors, dentists
- 12 January - Swiss cantons begin tax amnesties
- 12 January - UBS unveils code of conduct banning tax evasion assistance
- 11 January - Germany eases stance on transactions with suspected tax havens
- 9 January - Court: Swiss financial authority broke law by ordering UBS to give client data to US
- 8 January - Canada asks France to share data on Swiss account holders
- 7 January - HMRC: 10,000 taxpayers took advantage of amnesty
- 6 January - UBS client get probation, fine for tax evasion
- 5 January - Canada: 96 UBS clients voluntarily disclose unreported accounts
- 4 January - Court won't delay prison for UBS informant Birkenfeld
- 21 December - France gives back stolen HSBC bank data
- 17 December - Italian tax amnesty extended through April
- 17 December - Swiss halt revisions to French tax accord over data theft
- 17 December - Only two account holders have filed appeals in UBS tax case
- 17 November - US voluntary disclosure nets almost 15,000 taxpayers, billions of dollars
- 17 November - Swiss explain criteria for handing over taxpayer data to IRS
- 15 December - Italy considering further tax amnesty
- 14 December - IRS hires hundreds for new high wealth unit
- 10 December - IRS considering joint audits with treaty partners
- 9 December - UK hikes penalty for tax non-compliance
- 5 December - France to use database to monitor taxpayers with offshore accounts
- 2 December - Canada may sue UBS to find Canadian account holders
- 1 December - ATO amnesty to end on 30 June 2010, then 'all bets are off'
- 13 November - Singapore now on OECD 'white list'
- 11 November - Liechtenstein off OECD 'grey list'
- 8 November - UK and Australian authorities request information from UBS
- 29 October - Foot publishes review of British Offshore Financial Centres
- 28 October - Italian police raid branches of Swiss banks
- 27 October - IRS launches new group scrutinizing high net worth individuals
- 27 October - Senators unveil far-reaching legislation targeting offshore financial centers
- 14 October - IRS Commissioner, Doug Shulman, says the crackdown on overseas tax evasion will expand, as 7,500 disclose
- 01 October - All French banks to close branches in 'tax havens'
- 26 September -UBS client pleads guilty; used Liechtenstein foundation to hide assets
- 24 September - Swiss-US tax treaty signed; Switzerland to be elevated to white list
- 22 September - UBS handing over client names, including some with small accounts
- 17 September - Swiss Bankers Association proposes withholding tax on foreign clients
- 16 September - Italy launches tax amnesty
- 10 September - G 20 to impose sanctions on tax havens from March 2010
- 1 September - Swiss government to hand over names of first 500 US taxpayers in next 90 days
- 1 September - French government claims to have names of 3,000 taxpayers with Swiss accounts
- 1 September - OECD forum on information exchange meets to assess developments
- 1 September - UK New Disclosure Opportunity begins today
- 27 August - IRS may target Americans at other Swiss banks
- 27 August - Austrian government reaches initial agreement to relax bank secrecy rules
- 17 August - Withers summarise Liechtenstein disclosure agreement with the UK
- 17 August - More Americans giving up US passport to avoid tax
- 17 August - Swiss newspapers report that US will get data on 5,000 UBS account holders
- 17 August - IRS extends deadline for foreign bank account reporting
- 12 August - UBS settles tax dispute with US, charges to be dropped
- 11 August - UK signs tax amnesty with Liechtenstein. Withers partner Jay Krause quoted
- 2 August - Settlement reached in UBS case; details to be announced.
- 29 July - Guilty plea leads US to look beyond UBS.
- 28 July - HMRC officially announce details of NDO.
- 27 July - Swiss banks freeze out US clients.
- 23 July - Swiss initial treaty with Finland; move closer to 'white list'.
- 22 July - US to demand fewer names from UBS.
- 21 July - IRS relies on FBAR penalties to encourage voluntary disclosure.
- 19 July - Swiss call for global tax watchdog.
- 17 July - Cayman nearing 'white list' requirement of 12 TIEAs.
- 16 July - Belgium removed from greylist.
- 15 July - Italy announces tax amnesty.
- 14 July - Withers partner Jay Krause discusses the UBS-IRS case (video).
- 13 July - UBS and US request postponement of hearing.
- 10 July - Bahrain reach OECD whitelist.
- 8 July - Swiss Economics Minister wants US - UBS settlement before Monday's court hearing.
- 8 July - Switzerland vows to prevent UBS from passing client data to US.
- 8 July - Luxembourg upgraded to OECD 'white list'.
- 7 July - France, UK seek March tax compliance deadline.
- 4 July - More Swiss banks refuse accounts with US taxpayers.
- 3 July - Bermuda signs TIEA with Germany.
- 2 July - New Gibraltar 10% corporate tax to be introduced this month.
- 1 July - Credit Suisse to pass client names to French authorities.
- 1 July - US to continue with UBS case.
- 1 July - Cayman to sign further tax information exchange agreements.
- 30 June -US companies seek new tax havens.
- 29 June - Swiss banks shun Americans.
- 24 June - IRS issues updated voluntary disclosure FAQs.
- 24 June - Isle of Man agrees to automatic exchange of tax information within EU.
- 22 June - US may drop UBS case.
- 22 June - OECD to scrutinize greylisted countries.
- 19 June - The US and Switzerland agree tax information exchange provisions.
- 18 June - UK argues against blacklisting of Hong Kong.
- 16 June - Britain backs country-by-country reporting.
- 13 June - Lloyds drops US customers.
- 11 June -Caught Up in the Foreign Bank Account Reporting Pandemic?
- 10 June - Jersey and Australia sign tax agreement.
- 10 June - IFCs lobby to keep their names out of international spotlight.
- 10 June - Liechtenstein submits law to co-operate with US in tax matters.
- 10 June - The future of Swiss banking. Withers partners Jay Krause and Francis Rojas quoted.
- 8 June - Bermuda signs 12th TIEA to reach OECD whitelist.
- 4 June - Luxembourg agrees tax information exchange provisions with France, Netherlands, Denmark.
- 4 June - US Foreign Bank Account Reporting Requirements.
- 2 June - HMRC sets penalty for 2009 voluntary disclosure scheme.
- 2 June - IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman sets out global tax enforcement plans.
- 29 May - OECD Forum on Tax Administration releases two reports on enhanced compliance.
- 29 May - Delaware comes under increasing scrutiny.
- 29 May - Singapore to align tax code with international standard.
- 28 May - New US-Lux treaty aids Swiss bank secrecy. Withers associate Milan Patel quoted.
- 28 May - Withers Stop Press considers HMRC victory in tax tribunal.
- 27 May - Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein officially off OECD blacklist.
- 26 May - Switzerland sign treaty with Denmark, subject to national referendum.
- 26 May - Netherlands Antilles and Jamaica sign TIEA.
- 22 May - Luxembourg and Liechtenstein enter talks on OECD-compliant tax treaty.
- 22 May - French banks urge EU-wide reform on transparency and regulation.
- 21 May - HMRC seek order against all UK banks.
- 20 May - Luxembourg agrees to exchange tax information with US.
- 19 May - BVI signs eight new TIEAs
- 19 May - Increase in voluntary disclosure business. Withers associate Milan Patel quoted.
- 19 May - South Korea ignores OECD list.
- 18 May - OECD stresses need for international co-operation.
- 18 May - Tax haven crackdown to hit IFCs. Withers partner Jay Krause quoted.
- 15 May - HMRC authorised to investigate offshore accounts.
- 15 May - Cayman's attempts at whitelisting fail.
- 13 May - Labuan adopts tighter tax rules.
- 12 May - Bahrain signs tax agreements with Luxembourg and France.
- 9 May - Isle of Man considers automatic exchange of information.
- 7 May - Cayman Islands write letter to President Obama in response to his budget proposal.
- 7 May - OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria writes to Swiss President Merz.
- 6 May - France denies it will offer a tax amnesty.
- 6 May - Withers publishes Stop Press: Fields of Dreams commenting on President Obama’s budget proposal.
- 5 May - Withers Hong Kong based partner, Kurt Rademacher, comments on the implications of the US voluntary disclosure scheme for Asian-based US taxpayers.
- 5 May - Italy considers drawing up its own anti-tax haven legislation.
- 5 May - Senator Baucus is finalising legislation to increase the IRS’s powers to investigate transactions involving offshore entities.
- 4 May - President Obama outlines measures to crackdown on international tax evasion in his budget announcement.
- 30 April - The US and Luxembourg reach agreement on a new protocol to their income tax treaty to provide for exchange of information on request.
- 28 April - The US and Switzerland commence negotiations on their new information exchange agreement. Switzerland ask the US to drop their case against UBS in exchange for entering into this agreement.
- 27 April - The IRS will expand its investigation of offshore private banking to banks other than UBS.
- 27 April - Germany agrees draft domestic legislation targeting tax evaders.
- 22 April - UK budget announced.
- 21 April - Michael Foot publishes report as part of his ongoing review of offshore financial centres
- 17 April - Bermuda signs eight new TIEAs – with the seven Nordic countries and New Zealand.
- 16 April - Switzerland react to the OECD list by withholding payment.
- 14 April - Credit Suisse tells clients to agree to disclosure of tax information to the IRS or close accounts.
- 9 April - Gordon Brown sends separate letters to the Crown Dependencies (and the Isle of Man) and the Overseas Territories.
- 7 April - All four countries on the ‘blacklist’, Costa Rica, Malaysia, Uruguay and the Philippines, agree to commit to the OECD standard and are removed from the blacklist.
- 6 April - Cayman Finance Secretary sends letter to the OECD claiming the list they produced is flawed.
- 3 April - Luxembourg President, Jean-Claude Juncker, attacks the OECD list.
- 2 April - The G20 summit takes place in London. The OECD publishes the ‘white-‘, ‘grey-‘ and ‘blacklist’. The G20 take note.
- April - The day the havens opened up - Tax Planning International article by Withers partner Jay Krause and associate Chris McLemore
- March - Withers Hong Kong based partner, Kurt Rademacher, discusses the effects of the US crackdown on Swiss banking secrecy.
- 23 February -Our Geneva-based associate, Milan Patel, comments on the latest developments in the UBS case.
