The Taxcast
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
info_outline
Three Big Wins
10/31/2024
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 that established a system that's not working because it fails to hold the really big offender nations to account. And third, the Australian government seems to be holding its nerve against major lobbying pressure and is getting closer to implementing its world leading country by country reporting legislation, which is superior to the one the European Union uses and the OECD advocates. It'll cast light on the genuine activities of multinationals for other nations as well, so they can tax them more fairly too. Featuring: Alex Cobham and Florencia Lorenzo of the Tax Justice Network Mark Zirnsak of Tax Justice Network Australia Further reading: Transcript of the show (some is automated) UN convention draft resolution FATF changes its grey listing criteria to further focus on risk Bahamas attorney general leads Global South's push for UN tax cooperation deal Ten Truths about Tax Havens: Inclusion and the "Liberia" Problem Global civil society calls on Australian senators to hold firm and deliver corporate tax transparency Our website with further information is here:
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/33711877
info_outline
Green laundering
09/26/2024
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 Commission. We discuss the implications. Featuring: , EU Competition Commissioner, Tax Justice Network researchers and co-suthors of the report and economist Joseph Stiglitz of the , , tax coordinator at the European Network on Debt and Development, in Europe, and , former tax lawyer and policy director at the in the United States, of the . Produced and hosted by of the Tax Justice Network. Transcript of the show: Further reading: Our tax problem is more than just one rotten apple EU’s Apple ‘victory’ highlights the failure of international tax rules The UN adopts ambitious mandate for three legally binding global tax deals 90 NGOs Call on Congress to End the Corporate Tax Preference for Shifting Jobs & Profits Offshore How “greenlaundering” conceals the full scale of fossil fuel financing Citigroup helped funnel $3.5bn to UAE state oil company Our podcast website with all our podcasts
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/33225817
info_outline
Crypto heists on trial
07/30/2024
Crypto heists on trial
There are some massive heists happening that many of us have never heard of. Taxcast host talks to investigative journalist and author 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 contender for the biggest theft of all time. In terms of money stolen from one victim in one go, it's hard to find a case bigger than that. I think people should know about this case, but the subsequent freedom of speech epic battle, the sort of battle royale that's now going on, I think it's really important." Plus: a short news round-up of news including Trump's tax plans should he become US president and wealth taxes move centre-stage. Further reading and resources: Transcript of the show: (some is automated) Geoff White's book Rinsed. From Cartels to Crypto: How the Tech Industry Washes Money for the World's Deadliest Crooks and How the crypto industry is buying political support Gabriel Zucman on G20 country commitment to work cooperatively to fix global taxation of the super-rich. 'an important step in the right direction' G20 Must go further in fight to tax the rich, ICRICT statement G20 countries agree on need to tax the super-rich — but later Ten tax reforms to raise £60 billion for public services and a fairer economy (UK) For more information on all our podcasts go to
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/32346722
info_outline
The Black Tax
06/28/2024
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 actually happened at far greater frequency than historians have ever really recognized. Historically, and still today, taxes are both a problem in the US, but they're also the solution." Plus: the OECD ignores a formal letter from UN human rights experts raising concerns about the detrimental and discriminatory impacts on the Global South of OECD and G20 tax policy: "There has been no response. One way to describe it would be to say it's disappointing. Another way to describe it would say it's shocking and downright unacceptable." Transcript of the show: (some is automated) Further Reading: OECD tax reforms risk violating human rights law, UN experts warn in special intervention: Formal letter from UN Human Rights experts to the OECD raising human rights concerns over tax reforms: Litany of failure: new briefing sets out OECD’s manifold shortcomings in international tax talks: The Black Tax: 150 Years of Theft, Exploitation, and Dispossession in America by Andrew W. Kahrl: The living new deal: a website with a collection of all the public infrastructure, bridges, roads, swimming pools, community centres etc that were built during the 1930s and 40s: The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Souls of Black Folk, by W. E. B. Du Bois: All our podcasts are available with more information on and you can find all our other podcasts (all separate monthly productions in Arabic, French, Portuguese and Spanish) here
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/31930952
info_outline
The Corrupting of Tax Justice
06/01/2024
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 connected to the big four accountancy firms? And should governments? How do we protect ourselves from the forces seeking to obstruct tax justice in the world? Plus, we'll bring you the latest updates on historic negotiations between nations on a UN Tax Convention from a Tax Justice Network colleague who was in the room and gives us his impressions. "There is a South cooperation and a South-South pushback against the developed countries. And that is a remarkable moment and it will change the tax world. There is no ignoring this anymore by the OECD countries." "We need to see global cooperation from governments, clearly these tax advisor firms are operating across borders, they collaborate so I think we need to see tax authorities and governments doing similar." Further resources: Transcript of this epsiode (some is automated, so not 100% accurate) The People vs Microsoft (previous Taxcast #137) PwC: a calculated breach of trust (Australian) Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee report Live rolling Tax Justice Network blog with regular updates on progress on negotiations at the UN What happened at the first round of UN tax negotiations and what’s next? Litany of failure: new briefing sets out OECD’s manifold shortcomings in international tax talks Our website with all previous Taxcasts
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/31559732
info_outline
Blockchain havens
04/30/2024
Blockchain havens
"This will supersede them all." Offshore specialist and human rights lawyer of sounds the alarm on the fast development of 'blockchain havens.' The Tax Justice Network's speaks about the challenges regulators, anti-corruption campaigners and poorer nations face. A transcript of the podcast is available here: Further reading/resources: Paul Beckett's book: An Anatomy of Tax Havens: Europe, the Caribbean and the United States of America Beneficial Ownership and Legal Responsibility: Concealment, Avoidance and Impunity, also by Paul Beckett Offshoring DAO Foundations: Top Legal Considerations You can find all previous Taxcasts on the Taxcast website:
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/31053483
info_outline
Crime DOES pay...?
03/28/2024
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 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 analyses Australia's much awaited, revised (aka watered down) legislation to tackle multinational tax abuse - disappointing but still significant. AND: a model wealth tax law has been agreed by consensus at the United Nations. We expected the OECD to try to block it but they didn't - why? A transcript of the show is available here: (some is automated) Further reading: , by Tristram Hicks and Nicholas Gilmour : Tristram Hicks on Substack UN agrees plan for wealth tax law blueprint The Tax Justice Network hails a breakthrough in corporate tax transparency The country by country reporting path to global justice The FT confirms the OECD lobbied against Australian tax transparency The investor case for public country by country tax reporting Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 https://www.ukciu.gov.uk/(xwxqxm55yk5tzxbr0dznv2en)/Information/info.aspx?InfoSection=Legislation HMRC/UK tax authority staff paying for themselves many times over Our website with all our podcasts is
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/30588218
info_outline
Taxing multinationals, unitary-style
02/29/2024
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 and Tax Justice Network special advisor . Plus: the return of our analysis slot - Taxcast host Naomi Fowler talks to of the about the US's new beneficial ownership registry and its shortcomings; and a tale of two crimes: the punishment of a whistleblower versus a magic circle lawyer in a $6000 suit. Transcript available here: Guests: , Tax Justice Network , , veteran tax justice champion, emeritus professor of law, coordinator of the which analyzes efforts to tackle profit shifting by multinationals, and Tax Justice Network senior advisor Produced and presented by of the Tax Justice Network. Further reading: Beneficial Ownership Reporting Begins Under Corporate Transparency Act: Roadmap to Effective Beneficial Ownership Transparency (Tax Justice Network) Charles Littlejohn pleads guilty to one count of disclosing tax return information The Secret IRS Files: Trove of Never-Before-Seen Records Reveal How the Wealthiest Avoid Income Tax (ProPublica) Former Freshfields partner sentenced to jail for German tax fraud Ex-Freshfields lawyer convicted over tax fraud received €2mn severance pay (FT paywall) Beyond the Two Pillar Proposals. A Simplified Approach for Taxing Multinationals BEPS Monitoring Group: Our website with further information and more podcasts:
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/30172968
info_outline
#139 People Power
01/26/2024
#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 . 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 Transcript of the show: (Some is automated) Guests: , Malawian poet and Senior Tax Investigations Officer (his youtube site is , WATCH him performing his poem We Will Count Them ) of , formerly Senior Research Fellow with the International Budget Partnership, now Senior Lecturer at the in Rio de Janeiro. Produced and presented by of the Tax Justice Network. Further reading: A Taxing Journey: How Civic Actors Influence Tax Policy (open access – free pdf from International Budget Partnership and a summary paper on that work here: Beneficial Ownership reporting begins in the US: Proud to Pay More: 260+ millionaires and billionaires from 17 countries ask governments to tax them more The EU Court ruling on Beneficial Ownership registries in 2022 A Tax Justice Network report on how to fix beneficial ownership frameworks
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/29660658
info_outline
Introducing The Corruption Diaries
01/18/2024
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 financial systems. From the BCCI scandal, to Panamanian dictator Noriega’s cocaine trafficking, to Lockheed Aircraft’s overseas bribes - Jack was there. Every Wednesday we'll release a new episode. Don't miss it! Subscribe on your podcast app: The Corruption Diaries is produced by Naomi Fowler and Jo Barratt of the Tax Justice Network. Interviews with Jack Blum were recorded over several days at Jack’s home in Maryland by journalist Zoe Sullivan.
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/29550633
info_outline
#138 Overturning a 100 year legacy: the UN tax vote
12/18/2023
#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: of the Tax Justice Network UN representatives from Nigeria, South Africa, the Bahamas, the UK, the US, Spain, Russian Federation, Cameroon. Hosted by of the Tax Justice Network, produced by Naomi Fowler and Jo Barratt. Transcript available here: "If the time of crisis imposes the time of change, then it's time for cooperation to take precedence over competition. It's time for international solidarity to take precedence over particular and selfish interest in the short term. African people are tired of numbers about assistance for development. They do not request more assistance. They request every partner running business, the physical or digital, individuals and companies making profit should pay the right price, the fair and just percentage in terms of tax. Then we could keep our promise to transforming our world, to ensuring the world we want, the future we want is a reality." ~ UN Representative from Cameroon "It's a century waiting to have a globally inclusive body to set tax rules to throw over the decisions made by the League of Nations in the 1920s and 30s that we're all stuck with the consequences of today. We don't actually need tax rules that were set by the imperial powers, honestly, we can do better." ~ Alex Cobham, Tax Justice Network Further reading: The , Tax Justice Network , Tax Justice Network Follow developments on tax reform at the UN on the Tax Justice Network's live blog: from 's blog From Martin Hearson You can WATCH the vote at the UN (the discussion on tax matters starts around 35 minutes) More Taxcasts on
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/29135678
info_outline
The People vs Microsoft
11/30/2023
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: of the of of the , MP and Australian Treasury of the Hosted and produced by of the Transcript (some is automated) Further reading: How a slick accounting maneuver led to a $29 billion tax bill for Microsoft The IRS Decided to Get Tough Against Microsoft. Microsoft Got Tougher What the Microsoft Tax Case Shows Us About Tax Transparency . FT confirms OECD lobbied against Australian tax transparency . Microsoft, Cisco Shareholder Votes Demonstrate Increasing Investor Demand for Tax and Offshore Transparency KPMG's pitch to Microsoft: 'Planning Alternatives in Puerto Rico' and Microsoft 2003 Memo on Puerto Rico Factory Bipartisan Senate Action Passes Minimal Test for IRS Funding While Multiple House Republican Bills Fail Revenue From BBB’s IRS Enforcement Funding Would Support Investments UN adopts plans for historic tax reform “No” voters on UN tax reform enable 75% of global tax abuse
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/28868303
info_outline
Drug War Myths, Part 2
10/26/2023
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, co-founder of Instituto RIA of the Tax Justice Network of of the and the at the University of Sussex , of the Taxcast host co-produced with Jo Barratt of the Tax Justice Network A transcript of the show available here: (some is automated) Further reading: , Jamaica Case Study Max Gallien and Giovanni Occhiali Diverse models of legalisation Inside Mexico’s war on drugs: : accounting for drug trafficking violence in Mexico (Karina Garcia-Reyes) : Young, Mary Alice; Woodiwiss, Michael A Critical analysis of US assumptions and policies: Young, Mary; Woodiwiss, Michael
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/28432340
info_outline
Drug War Myths, Part 1
09/28/2023
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, author of Morir Es Un Alivio (Dying is a Relief) Las Reveladoras Historias De 12 Ex-narcos Que Lograron Escapar Del Crimen Organizado. Available in Spanish here Eric Gutierrez, of the International Centre of Human Rights and Drug Policy Associate Professor of International and Organised Crime at Bristol Law School, Dr Mary Young Further Reading: Inside Mexico’s war on drugs: Conversations with ‘el narco’ Poverty, gender and violence in the narratives of former narcos: accounting for drug trafficking violence in Mexico (Karina Garcia-Reyes) Debunking the Narco Myth A world fit for money laundering: The Atlantic alliance’s undermining of organised crime control: Young, Mary Alice; Woodiwiss, Michael Organised crime and security threats in Caribbean Small Island Developing States: A Critical analysis of US assumptions and policies: Young, Mary; Woodiwiss, Michael More podcasts are available on our website where you can also subscribe.
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/28169507
info_outline
Who owns the climate crisis?
07/27/2023
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: , Senior Researcher and Advocacy Lead (Climate & Inequalities), Tax Justice Network , Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Sussex and author of the book of the of , Lead Researcher (Beneficial Ownership), Tax Justice Network , Environmental campaigner and journalist Kenya's Hosted and produced by of the Tax Justice Network Transcript of the show (some is automated) All the Taxcasts are available here where you can also subscribe: Further reading: Beneficial ownership and fossil fuels: lifting the lid on who benefits: Delivering climate justice using the principles of tax justice: a guide for climate justice advocates Carbon Majors Report: Links to Dario Kenner's work: The Polluter Elite Database: Carbon Inequality: the role of the richest in climate change Lobbying and other tactics of big oil companies to delay the transition away from fossil fuels Why we need to look at how global oil and gas industry lobbies G20 governments and how this is slowing progress Post-war reconstruction involved taxing the richest: White knights, or horsemen of the apocalypse? Prospects for Big Oil to align emissions with a 1.5 °C pathway Carbon Billionaires, Oxfam report: Cereal crops decimated by Europe's heatwave "I thought fossil fuel firms could change. I was wrong" Stockholm Resilience Centre, the hidden environmental consequences of tax havens New study raises red flags on tax haven role in environmental destruction New data exposes the links between tax havens, deforestation and illegal fishing
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/27585687
info_outline
Spoiled pets and private jets
06/29/2023
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: of the Tax Justice Network of the Tax Justice Network , Professor of economic sociology and wealth manager anthropologist , journalist at in Luxembourg Also featuring: spoiled dogs, private jet business colleagues, a disillusioned youtube jet entrepreneur, a new jet owner and his excited friend, Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton (plus her dogs and a reporter), a millionaire who's ditching his jet, author of Professor Mike Berners Lee, Dun & Bradstreet youtube briefing Produced and hosted by Naomi Fowler, Tax Justice Network Here's a transcript of the show (some is automated) Further reading and viewing: Launching (there'll be more on this soon) , from the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists Brooke Harrington speaks at , a Tax Justice Norway event: on Offshore Wealth as a Complex System: : the offshore networks of oligarchs, by , , , but whose privacy was he protecting? By Dragana Peco (OCCRP/KRIK), Alina Tsogoeva (OCCRP), Antonio Baquero (OCCRP), Tom Stocks (OCCRP), Luc Caregari (Reporter.lu), and Carina Huppertz (Paper Trail Media/Der Spiegel) , from Law.com International (pay wall)
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/27325740
info_outline
Monopolies and market power
05/25/2023
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 for tax justice this month that could have changed everything by bringing corporate profit shifting to heel. The lobbyists said it was the end of the world as we know it - and sadly, they won - for now. What was the big deal? And what are the possibilities for other states and other countries? Featuring: of of the , , MEP and Competition lawyer of the Global Supply Chain Center, University of Southern California Produced and hosted by the Tax Justice Network's Transcript of the show: (some is automated) Further reading: Monopoly capitalism: What is it and how do we fight it? The 5 'R's of tax: Actually the fifth one needs adding (Reparations, or Repair) Resisting Monopoly Capitalism (Global Justice Now event in London, March 2023) Opening plenary Resisting Monopoly Capitalism - Closing plenary Pharmanomics: How Big Pharma Destroys Global Health (published October 2023) , an and event Corporate taxation to curb monopoly power: a brief history and a proposal Tax havens meet monopoly power: why national competitiveness harms competition If tax havens scare you, monopolies should too. And vice versa. How local, state, and federal tax policies in the us undermine small business and fuel corporate concentration Reframing tax policy to reset the rules of the monopoly game To tackle corruption, start with monopoly power Nick Shaxson: Leaving the Tax Justice Network (setting up the Balanced Economy Project - the journey) For more information and podcasts go to our website:
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/26954175
info_outline
Tax Saves Lives
05/01/2023
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 demonstrates this. We wish every CEO, every company board member, every shareholder and every government minister in the world would read . Then look us in the eye and tell us why they’re not moving every muscle in their body to do what is in their power to protect people, mothers and children. Because when they don’t, they do have blood on their hands. A transcript of the show is available here: Featuring: , University of St Andrews , Tax Justice Network , Tax Justice Network Hosted and produced by , Tax Justice Network More information and further reading available on our website
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/26710239
info_outline
Organised crime and financial secrecy
02/23/2023
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. Dirty money in, ‘clean’ money out. That money destabilises economies and corrupts democracies, while organised crime toxifies societies. The problem is that financial secrecy and tax havens are also the friend of commerce, multinationals and wealthy, powerful people worldwide... Featuring: Professor of Criminology, Journalist, Surgeon in Malta and opinon piece writer, Hosted and produced by of the Tax Justice Network Transcript available here: (Some is automated) Our website (with links to further reading) is available here:
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/26028558
info_outline
The Making of Tax Haven Mauritius
01/31/2023
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) Our website is
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/25791414
info_outline
The Day Global Power Shifted
12/16/2022
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: of the Tax Justice Network of the Tax Justice Network The UN Chairperson, UN Secretary and UN representatives of Nigeria, South Africa, the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Liechtenstein, Republic of Korea, and Eritrea. Produced and hosted by the Tax Justice Network's . Transcript (some is automated) WATCH this historic UN meeting here (starts about 20 minutes in): Further reading: Our podcast website is
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/25354392
info_outline
Uncommon Wealth and the 'boomerang effect'
11/18/2022
Uncommon Wealth and the 'boomerang effect'
In this episode, Taxcast host discusses sovereignty, the 'boomerang effect' and the relevance of the 'Third World Movement' today to our global economic system, with Dr , author of . "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 jurisdictions, enablers, investigations...) the Tax Justice Network writes an to the failings of the OECD as global tax rule-setter, as they miss another deadline. A transcript of the podcast is available : (Some is automated) "The kind of loss of feeling of control in the United Kingdom, that loss of feeling of sovereignty, that loss of feeling of democratic accountability is connected to the erosion of sovereignty and erosion of democratic accountability that was allowed to happen to the former colonies of particularly the British Empire but all empires. What happens in the colonies doesn't simply stay there, but it comes back on the homeland and it starts to impact how its economy, its society, and its politics operates. And I think that's a lot of what we see in Britain right up until today.” Featuring: of Birkbeck, University of London and author of . , Tax Justice Network Professor Nouriel Roubini speaking in the UAE Taxcast host and producer, , Tax Justice Network Further reading: Kojo Koram's book is published by John Murray Press: UN Secretary General signals Tax Justice Network's on OECD failure to deliver on G20 mandates by Matt Stoller: , by Judd Legum: , by Judd Legum and Rebecca Crosby: WATCH ~ BOOMERANG: Empire and Britain's economy (featuring Kojo Koram):
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/25062402
info_outline
Education rights and tax justice
10/13/2022
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 their finance ministers calling for the UN to begin negotiations on the convention (that's more than a quarter of the member countries of the United Nations) plus the head of the United Nations has pledged his support for negotiations. How will wealthier nations, who are too often the world's worst offenders for draining tax revenue from other nations, now respond? Transcript: (some is automated) For more information and more Taxcasts, go to
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/24681240
info_outline
Tax and Racial Justice
09/22/2022
Tax and Racial Justice
In this episode, Taxcast host and producer 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" ~ , , author of the report . Transcript of the show: Links to past Taxcasts on reparational and tax justice, plus a video of the launch of new report: Tax as a Tool for Racial Justice and other useful resources available here:
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/24461562
info_outline
Crooked Crook Ltd: company registration scandals
07/28/2022
Crooked Crook Ltd: company registration scandals
In this episode Taxcast host 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: Taxcast website with more Taxcasts: "It is ridiculous that you have to take more identification to get a library card to borrow a book than you do to create a limited liability company, which potentially is a cost to the taxpayer if you go bust, it is bonkers and it should stop" of podcast. "I came across a situation where for tax avoidance reasons, thousands of companies were being set up at the same time, with the same individual as the director. And in some cases there was 2000 companies being set up in the same day with the same individual as a director, and it wasn't raising any flag. You hear it all the time, you know, 'oh well, we'll learn the lessons,' but we never really seem to learn the lessons. The next scandal is a variation on a theme of the previous scandal.” ~ former tax inspector "How did the UK end up at the centre of so many crimes? It's incredibly easy - go online, go onto the Companies House website - that's our company registry - pay 12 pounds and you too can have a shell company. I registered one myself - it took me less than 24 hours to receive the deeds showing I owned the company. I called it Crooked Crook Crook which I thought was pretty funny, but it turned out that actually I was being fairly unimaginative by the standards of international criminals." ~ journalist and anti-corruption campaigner, Further reading and information here: BBC coverage of pop-up sweet shops on Oxford Street Time to Return Integrity to the UK Corporate Registry. Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies videofeaturing Oliver Bullough The Dark Money Files podcast German company registration process (for the purposes of comparison)
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/23889330
info_outline
Amazon's tax challenge
06/30/2022
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 speaks to of and of 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 transcript available here (some is automated) Our website with more podcasts is here: Further reading: The Taxcast in 2014 covering Google's annual shareholder meeting tax transparency challenge: Amazon’s Tribulations And The Future Of Tax Transparency,
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/23593049
info_outline
Financial Secrecy Index 2022
05/18/2022
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 explores the shocking results of the Tax Justice Network's Financial Secrecy Index 2022. Guests: , head of the Ryan Gurule, of the Read all about the Financial Secrecy Index here: Our website with more podcasts is here:
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/23156030
info_outline
NonDoms unmasked
04/28/2022
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 this episode Taxcast host explores the results of revealing new work on the data with economist of Warwick University: and co-author of a new report Economist speaks on the breaking of the social contract and the need for a new set of governing principles to re-establish fairness for all regardless of wealth in all nations. of the podcast (some is automated) Further reading and listening: Report: Taxcast interview with journalist and anti-corruption campaigner in Pakistan, Umar Cheema, on his inspirational achievement in making Pakistan only the fourth country in the world to publish the tax returns of its Parliamentarians The Wealth Tax Commission: Tax Legislation in the UK Benefits the Interests of the Rich:
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/22940981
info_outline
Butler Britain
03/22/2022
Butler Britain
In this episode of the Taxcast, speaks with journalist and anti-corruption campaigner 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 be a Butler?" With Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, even the most hardcore 'let the planet burn' believers can no longer deny that fossil fuel dependency is a national and an international security issue. We know the resource curse goes hand in hand with corruption. Is this a time like no other for the world to finally see that the key to it all is financial secrecy? Transcript of the show: Link to Oliver Bullough's book ‘Butler to the World: how Britain became the servant of tycoons, tax dodgers, kleptocrats and criminals.’ Further reading: Why has no progress been made on an international financial registry? The ‘Wild West’ of Scottish Limited Partnerships, covered on the Taxcast: The resource curse and the , hand in hand with ‘’ (and other tax havens and secrecy jurisdictions.) Includes the Taxcast interview with Daria Kaleniuk of Ukraine's Anti-Corruption Action Centre: 10 measures to expose sanctioned Russian oligarchs' hidden assets: Our website:
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/22533329
info_outline
Stolen Dreams
02/21/2022
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 a great loss to Malawi and to the world of tax official Mr Alinafe Bonongwe, who was taken from us for doing his job bravely and in the public interest. You can read more about him here: May he rest in peace. Here's the transcript of the show: And here's our website with more Taxcasts:
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/22207790