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
Modernising the global tax system
10/05/2026
Modernising the global tax system
As UN negotiations stepped up recently in New York, we hear some of the tussles between delegates trying to hold on to the 100 year old global tax system that's benefited them for so long versus delegates representing countries who have suffered the resulting tax injustices and can now out-vote them. Plus: startling new estimates on the benefits to nations of UN tax reform ambitions: "For the Global South, after a single year the combined gains of all G77 countries would be enough to repay all outstanding IMF loans. For the Global North, countries who received Marshall Plan money after the Second World War would collectively receive the inflation-adjusted equivalent of the entire Marshall Plan every 2.6 years." We also have news from Malta on the verdict from a jury in the trial of a businessman accused of complicity in the assassination of journalist and anti-corruption campaigner Daphne Caruana Galizia. Featuring: delegates at the United Nations negotiations in New York from Eurodad , research fellow at the Tax Justice Network Matthew Caruana Galizia, journalist and anti-corruption campaigner at Corinne Vella, anti-corruption campaigner at Daphne Caruana Galizia's sister Produced and hosted by of the Tax Justice Network Transcript of the show: Further reading: Statements from Daphne Foundation on the trial verdict in Malta Times of Malta coverage of the Fenech trial UN tax convention hub: Everything you need to know about current negotiations on the biggest shakeup in history to global tax rules UN Framework Convention – Roundup of the Fifth Session of Negotiations A 500-billion-dollar decision for the world: the revenue impacts of global unitary taxation
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/43185308
info_outline
Tackling misinformation on tax
07/22/2026
Tackling misinformation on tax
Tax is intensely political. It's routinely misreported by media of all kinds, and often it's the subject of downright disinformation. We look at how to deal with a lack of truth telling, from the experiences of the Tax Justice Network itself and those of a retired scientist who's had a lot of success in combating it. Plus: our new Real Estate Secrecy Index - who are the world's worst offenders? "They can't get away with this. It's a victory. It's a small victory for truth." ~ Alan Williams Key "Misinformation, fake news goes against democratic processes. You can't have proper democracy without pushing back against misinformation in the press." ~ Mark Bou Mansour "Real estate is not the only high value asset that you can use to hide illicit flows, but it's certainly one of the easiest and one of the most attractive." ~ Alex Cobham Transcript of the show available here: Featuring: Alan Williams Key, retired scientist, jazz musician and champion complainer to the Independent Press Standards Organisation Alex Cobham, Chief Executive, Mark Bou Mansour, Head of Communications, Leo Schick, co-producer of the Taxcast, The Corruption Diaries and freelance journalist Further reading: Express business coverage found to have breached Editors’ Code 12 times this year Alan Williams Key's successful complaint to the Independent Press Standards Organisation about claims printed about millionaire migration from the UK Millionaire “exodus” claim backtracked but media re-run story anyway Study behind millionaire exodus claims drops author and numbers after fake data accusations - Tax Justice Network Introducing the Real Estate Secrecy Index - Tax Justice Network Financial Secrecy Index
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/42185775
info_outline
Wealth Tax Wave in the USA
06/24/2026
Wealth Tax Wave in the USA
Despite the loud protests and misinformation, despite the Trump administration cutting taxes like there's no tomorrow, there's a wealth tax wave that's rising across US states...we look at the most successful models and what they tell us about the future. "It's really a matter of the politicians catching up to where the people already are" ~ William Rice, Americans for Tax Fairness Guests: , and of Hosted by Naomi Fowler, co-produced wsith Leo Schick for the Tax Justice Network. Transcript of the podcast: Further Reading: Washington’s new Millionaires Tax offers big support to people throughout the state Historic new policy – now signed into law – has been decades in the making! Maine enacts millionaire tax in historic win for working families Washington state’s ‘historic’ millionaire tax takes aim at super-rich The party of the rich just taxed the rich in WA. Can that hold? Study behind millionaire exodus claims drops author and numbers after fake data accusations
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/41795105
info_outline
Impunity in Malta
05/28/2026
Impunity in Malta
We look at a worrying law in Malta rushed through Parliament at unprecedented speed that doesn't just decriminalise tax abuse but 'connected breaches' too: "They've allowed the same culture to start being fomented that led to the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia." ~ Maltese journalist Julian Bonnici Plus: the role of Britain in the tax affairs of oil companies reaping rich rewards from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, abuse of power in the US and...we have some good news from California. Transcript of the podcast: Further Reading: How Britain is shielding big oil's Iran war windfall, Adam Ramsay $30m an hour: big oil reaping huge war windfall from consumers, analysis finds How Trump's IRS settlement could block tax audits of him, his family and their businesses Trump's investigation compensation fund draws ire of Republicans - 'Stupid on stilts' How crypto billionaires are trying to buy a Senate seat in Alabama Congress Must Address Illicit Finance Gaps in Crypto Legislation Before Committee Markup Committee-Approved Crypto Bill Leaves Dangerous Loopholes for Corrupt and Other Dirty Money US drops fraud charges after billionaire Adani pledges $10bn investment A Five-Year Prison Sentence for a Public Hero The Secret IRS Files Archives Bill 142: The Law Allowing Tax Crime, Fraud And Money Laundering To Be Settled Out Of Court – Amphora Media Aron Mifsud Bonnici Avoids Prosecution After Settlement in €1.6 Million Tax Evasion and Money Laundering Case California steps up for tax fairness - Tax Justice Network
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/41450820
info_outline
Private Equity: taming the beast
05/15/2026
Private Equity: taming the beast
Private Equity has gone under the radar for a very long time so – what is it, how's it affecting our lives? Our tax systems, and financial transparency are crucial for reining in damaging economic activity, something you see a lot of with Private Equity. In this joint podcast with the brilliant and its host , the Taxcast's talks to who’s written and of the Tax Justice Network. A transcript of the show is available here:
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/41279965
info_outline
Taxing emissions ownership
04/03/2026
Taxing emissions ownership
A tiny group of very wealthy people are burning through carbon like there'll be no tomorrow. Taxcast host Naomi Fowler talks to economist Tasnia Hussain about the most effective ways to tax emissions and address carbon inequality. Plus: we bring you the highlights of the ongoing historic effort at the UN to overturn a century of global tax rule setting largely by former imperial powers at the OECD to suit them and their multinationals. With economist , University of Toronto, also featuring Navid Hanif (UN Assistant Secretary-General), Ryad Selmani from Terre Solidaire, UN representative for Jamaica, UN represntative from the Youth Forum, and private jet and carbon emissions tracker Jack Sweeney and his lawyer (interviewed on TV). Hosted and produced by of the Tax Justice Network. Transcript of the show: (May not be 100% accurate) Further resources: Want to cut emissions? Young advocate says tax the rich — and what they own Optimal Carbon Policy under Carbon Inequality From Taylor’s Jet to Taxation for Climate Rescue: Tasnia Hussain OECD collapse will lock in countries’ tax losses to US firms US will be exempt from global tax deal targeting profits of large multinationals Washington’s Proposed Millionaires Tax, FAQs: Washington state’s ‘historic’ millionaire tax takes aim at super-rich – will it succeed? The party of the rich just taxed the rich in WA. Can that hold? Previous Taxcasts: Who Owns the Climate Crisis? and The Millionaire Exodus Myth Our podcast website with all our podcasts is
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/40724780
info_outline
Death in Westminster: trailer
03/11/2026
Death in Westminster: trailer
Britain has turned its capital into a global money laundering machine. The pavements of central London are home to a soaring number of rough sleepers, yet its streets are lined with empty mansions. Who owns these houses? Often, no one knows – because the wealthiest people in the world have built the perfect system to hide their assets. In this explosive new podcast series Death in Westminster Professor Kojo Koram (author of Uncommon Wealth: Britain And The Aftermath Of Empire) and Dr Dalia Gebrial (Novara Live co-host) will uncover how secret offshore billions are ruining Britain. Produced by Planet B Productions and released by Novara Media in March 2026. Available wherever you get your podcasts. More details here:
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/40396905
info_outline
Tax As An Investment
01/30/2026
Tax As An Investment
"Tax is one of the smartest investments you can make." That's Professor Chris Harrop's promise to companies, and his new tax funded impact model proves it by helping quantify how paying tax is not only good for their businesses, but for the economies they're operating in, and of course for people and society. Plus: Why have OECD countries just bent the knee to Donald Trump and given up their sovereign rights to tax US businesses operating within their own borders? Naomi Fowler speaks with Zorka Millin of the FACT Coalition about how US companies now have an exemption from the global minimum corporate tax. Also, Zorka discusses some progress on the Corporate Transparency Act's rollercoaster journey in the US towards setting up a beneficial ownership register - a court ruling has pushed things a little further forward, which is good news since the United States is the world's biggest financial secrecy offender. Now some of the watering down of the act needs to be reversed... And finally, the UK has strengthened its whistleblower reward scheme, lawyer Mary Inman of Whistleblower Partners tells us more. Featuring: Zorka Millin of the Financial Accountability and Corporate Transparency Coalition, Chris Harrop, Professor of Sustainable Business at the Huddersfield University Business School in the UK, non-executive director with the Fair Tax Foundation, a founding partner of the Human Centre, and lawyer Mary Inman of Whistleblower Partners. Hosted and produced by Naomi Fowler with Leo Schick. Transcript of the show: Further Reading: OECD collapse will lock in countries’ tax losses to US firms - Tax Justice Network The OECD’s “Side-by-Side” System Preserves, But Weakens, the Global Minimum Tax U.S. Court of Appeals Upholds Landmark Anti-Money Laundering Law A new ESG metric: Tax Funded Impact – How fiscal multipliers turn fair tax into tangible social value Lawyer Mary Inman writes on the UK's strengthened whistleblower reward scheme:
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/39935180
info_outline
Trailer: The Corruption Diaries, Series 2
12/04/2025
Trailer: The Corruption Diaries, Series 2
The Corruption Diaries is a journey through the eyes of anti-corruption veterans with their unique perspectives on combating one of the most compelling ethical challenges of our time. In Series Two: Richard Allen's passion was alternative music and he set up in the music business with his own record label, managing and touring with bands like Porcupine Tree. But a tax loophole took all of that away from him and he unexpectedly became a campaigner, taking on tax dodgers and the British authorities from his garden shed. Produced by Leo Schick and hosted by Naomi Fowler of the Tax Justice Network. Our podcast website is available where you can also listen to Series One featuring white collar crime lawyer Jack Blum The Corruption Diaries is available wherever you get your podcasts.
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/39268210
info_outline
US "r" Us or tax sovereignty?
11/29/2025
US "r" Us or tax sovereignty?
Countries can either capitulate to President Trump's tax bullying. Or come together to fight for the sovereign right to tax multinationals fairly. In this episode host Naomi Fowler explores whether US economic policy is actually good for the US economy and its people. We've done some number crunching looking at what really happened after Trump's 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. It tells us a lot about the state of tax justice, its real effects on people, and the misguided exercise of power. Transcript of the show: Featuring: The Tax Justice Network's Mark Bou Mansour, Alison Schultz and Sergio Chaparro-Hernandez. Produced and hosted by Naomi Fowler. Further Reading: $475bn lost to US-backed global gag order shielding corporate tax cheaters, Tax Justice Network UN tax convention: Everything you need to know about current negotiations on the biggest shakeup in history to global tax rules. Our website with all our podcasts is available here: Get the Taxcast as soon as it comes out by subscribing by email to
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/39203875
info_outline
Social Reuse of Seized Assets
11/15/2025
Social Reuse of Seized Assets
When tax officials and law enforcement do manage to recover assets and money from criminals, what happens next? How are those seizures used to benefit taxpayers and society? We think there are lots of missed opportunities here and the Taxcast goes to West Yorkshire in the North of England to see social reuse of seized assets in action. It's pretty heartening. Plus: President Donald Trump has pardoned convicted money launderer Changpeng Zhao, the billionaire founder of the world's biggest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance. We speak to Scott Greytak of Transparency International US about what this means for the financial integrity of the US financial system and the ramifications for the rest of the world. A transcript of the show is available here: Produced and hosted by and Featuring: of , University of Bristol, Senior Criminology lecturer , Mayor of West Yorkshire , Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime , Fusion Housing Derek Jones, , Nigel Crowther, senior financial investigator, West Yorkshire Police Alysha, Further reading: : Website with all our podcasts:
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/39045880
info_outline
Banking on Opus Dei
09/26/2025
Banking on Opus Dei
We look at the outsized influence of a small and secretive Catholic institution, Opus Dei, from Spain's dictator Franco, right up to the present day. And the bank it secretly controlled for sixty years: "This sounds a bit like a bit of conspiracy theory but trust me, it's very real. It's in almost every major city around the world and it's quite ruthless. It's close to the Trump regime because they share a lot of common ground." ~ Gareth Gore, journalist and author Plus: in the latest twist in the epic battle to end anonymous ownership in the United States, the US's financial regulator FinCEN has announced that only 'foreign businesses' with 'foreign owners' will now be required to report ownership information to the federal government. It's announced plans to actually delete ownership information that ‘US companies’ have already submitted. We look at the options to stop the US sliding even further into a corruption abyss: "The US is making a commitment to stay at the back of the pack compared to the rest of the world." ~ Erica Hanichak, FACT Coalition Co-produced by host Naomi Fowler and Leo Schick. Transcript of the show: (may not be 100% accurate) Further Reading: Opus: the Cult of Dark Money, Human Trafficking and Right Wing Conspiracy Inside the Catholic Church by Gareth Gore Treasury Reopens the Floodgates to Dirty Money in the U.S., FACT Coalition FinCEN plans to delete data on U.S. companies from beneficial ownership database, International Consortium of Investigative Journalists ‘I became like a slave’: why 43 women are suing the secretive Opus Dei Catholic group in Argentina, the Guardian Press statement on a judicial process in Argentina, Opus Dei Website with more information and more Tax Justice Network podcasts
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/38367135
info_outline
Immigrants, tax and bullying in the USA
07/24/2025
Immigrants, tax and bullying in the USA
The persecution of anyone suspected of being an undocumented immigrant in the United States is not only taking the form of armed, masked ICE agents. Tax is being weaponised against them too. An estimated 10.9 million undocumented immigrants are the powerhouse of the United States economy, and also an exploitable workforce with minimal rights. It turns out that they're paying a higher effective tax rate than 55 mega-corporations and several billionaires: There's something very wrong with our tax system, that people with that much wealth could be paying a lower tax rate than undocumented immigrants who are generally working in low paying jobs. A nation that's focused on persecuting and purging specific groups of people is not a healthy one. And as people are being ripped out of their communities, we look at the data that show how devastating it is for the economy and public services too. Plus: bullying at home, bullying abroad: President Trump is deploying tariffs and threats of tariffs against countries who have the audacity to want to tax US multinationals fairly on the business they do in their countries. We look at the options for nations to stand together and resist. The US administration wants US multinationals to be more able to continue to commit corporate tax abuse than everybody else. Featuring: Alex Cobham, Tax Justice Network Lauren Loricchio, investigations editor, Tax Notes William Rice, policy consultant, Americans for Tax Fairness Delia Catalina Ramírez, Congresswoman, Illinois, District 3 Co-produced by host Naomi Fowler and Leo Schick. Transcript (some is automated and may not be 100% accurate) Further reading: Information Sharing Deal Complicates Immigrant Return Filing, Lauren Loricchio, Tax Notes What a 3.5% tax on remittances could do to the developing world, Jesse Chase-Lubitz, Devex Undocumented Workers Pay Higher Effective Tax Rate than 55 Mega Corporations and Several Billionaires, Americans for Tax Fairness study Report: Report: How Undocumented Immigrants Contribute to Our Economy & Pay Higher Tax Rates Than Many Major Corporations, Americans for Tax Fairness ICE Agents Deserve No Privacy, the Intercept: "Armed gangs of officers, often masked and anonymous" We’re Now at the Stage Where Criminals Are Impersonating ICE Agents, This is what happens when federal authorities are allowed to seize people without identifying themselves, The New Republic Tax Payments by Undocumented Immigrants, Institute of Taxation and Economic Policy Our website with all our podcasts is where you can also subscribe and get an email every time the Taxcast drops!
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/37537750
info_outline
Millionaire exodus myth
06/27/2025
Millionaire exodus myth
Millionaires are not fleeing countries to escape taxes. The Tax Justice Network has analysed these claims and found it's questionable data published by a firm that helps the super-rich buy their way out of rules that apply to everybody else. In fact, things are changing for people in the business of helping to sell passports and residency. Some doors are closing... Plus, we look at the latest results from the Financial Secrecy Index - what are the latest global trends and have you heard of an anocracy?! Transcript of the show: Further reading: Millionaire exodus did not occur, study reveals, Tax Justice Network Millionaire “exodus” claim backtracked but media re-run story anyway, Tax Justice Network The ‘Millionaire Exodus’ the UK Media Told You About Never Actually Happened, Byline Times Citizenship must not be up for sale, speech by the Vice-President of the European Commission, EU Justice Commissioner EU Court Rules Malta's Golden Passport Program is Illegal, OCCRP Influencer Andrew Tate got Vanuatu Passport Around Time of Arrest on Rape Charges Vanuatu: Council of the EU ends visa exemption Logged Pushbacks to Libya from Malta’s SAR Zone Triple Since 2020, Over 5,000 People Forced Back Malta Migration Archive Times of Malta Editorial: A shameful abdication of duty £160 billion could have been raised for the UK’s public finances over the past three decades if UK tax residents on the annual rich lists had been asked to pay a two per cent wealth tax on their assets over £10 million - equivalent to the cost of building 80 new hospitals in that period. (Patriotic Millionaires UK) Family statement: Robert Agius and Jamie Vella sentenced. Despite her murderers' attempts to silence her, Daphne's legacy endures. (Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation) Vanuatu, Financial Secrecy Index country profile, Tax Justice Network Reporting from the Passport Papers, Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation Passport Papers: Henley and Partners’ leaked documents show most applicants are from countries where dual citizenship is not permitted The Passport King who Markets Citizenship for Cash, a Daphne Project investigation, OCCRP Why rich foreigners may not rush to buy Trump's $5 million 'gold card' visas, Business Insider The Taxcast website with all the Tax Justice Network podcasts in five different languages are available at
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/37176195
info_outline
How to spend 14 billion
05/29/2025
How to spend 14 billion
The life-changing, life-saving, transformational nature of tax - for people and planet. Ireland's got a tax windfall of about €14 billion - that's roughly $15 billion. What are they going to do with it..? "This is the kind of moment that doesn't come around often and we really need to seize it. Or if we let the opportunity slip through our fingers, it's going to have impacts for future generations." ~ Mansi Rawat, Social Justice Ireland We don't do enough about blue sky thinking on how tax can transform our lives. This is our chance to unlock our imaginations. It's also time for Ireland to rethink its tax haven model and for many countries, not just Ireland, to ask who its economy is serving. The Taxcast is produced by Naomi Fowler and Leo Schick of the Tax Justice Network. Further reading: Here's the transcript of the show (some is automated and may not be 100% accurate: Pope Francis, 1936-2025 (Tax Justice Network) Top EU court rules Apple owes Ireland over $14B in back taxes EU’s Apple ‘victory’ highlights the failure of international tax rules (Tax Justice Network) A response to the European court’s bad Apple ruling, (Alex Cobham, Tax Justice Network) Tax Haven Ireland, a book by Brian O'Boyle and Kieran Allen Previous Taxcast episode featuring Brian O'Boyle and Kieran Allen talking about their book Tax Haven Ireland. Budget Analysis by Social Justice Ireland (they have also written about managing the windfall gains) People Before Profit calls for Apple taxes to fund State construction firm, RTE Our podcast website with all our podcasts:
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/36771020
info_outline
#153 Criminalising Journalists
04/29/2025
#153 Criminalising Journalists
The Taxcast looks at the battle for freedom of the press in Switzerland and the implications for the rest of the world. Investigative journalists like Bastian Obermayer risks arrest, fines and imprisonment if he sets foot in Switzerland again, and Swiss journalists are having to turn away strong public interest stories - for fear of not just rich and powerful people coming after them, but also the Swiss state. Switzerland's always been famous for its banking secrecy laws and it's never been the friendliest place for investigative journalists. Now the situation threatens to get even worse. Featuring: Bastian Obermayer, one of the Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalists who broke the Panama Papers story and many other groundbreaking scandals. Swiss investigative journalist, Oliver Zihlmann, co-head of the Investigative Unit at Tamedia, the leading publishing and broadcast media company in Switzerland. Policy and advocacy manager at Reporters Without Borders Switzerland, Valentin Rubin Hosted by Naomi Fowler and co-produced with Leo Schick. Transcript of the show available here: Further reading: Suisse Secrets Bastian Obermayer: 'In Switzerland, I face prison – for exposing wrongdoing.' US overtakes Switzerland in global ranking of financial secrecy hotbeds Tax Justice Network's Financial Secrecy Index Swiss Government Motions for Press Freedom in Country’s Finance Sector Swiss parliamentarians refuse to overhaul banking secrecy laws
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/36353655
info_outline
The Chinese Phantom
03/27/2025
The Chinese Phantom
How easy is it to get filthy rich selling arms to anyone who'll pay? There may be sanctions, there may be laws, but even though he's the FBI's most wanted fugitive, a Chinese arms dealer and manufacturer has evaded arrest for two decades. Who could be better to investigate one of the world’s most dangerous men and tell this story than Panama Papers journalists? Taxcast host Naomi Fowler speaks to Frederik Obermaier about the book The Chinese Phantom: the Hunt for the World's most Dangerous Arms Dealer. What does it tell us about sanctions and financial secrecy at a time of rising autocracy and global insecurity? Also in this episode: the latest on efforts by powerful people to block the US's Corporate Transparency Act which was supposed to set up a register of the real owners of companies; And, in the UK - a new whistleblower incentive scheme - the tax authority HMRC will give whistleblowers who bring actionable information a cut of between 10 and 25% of any fine that HMRC imposes. Also, as the British government announces welfare cuts affecting the poorest people in the country, there are calls for a windfall tax on banks and a 2% wealth tax on assets above £10 million instead. Featuring: Panama Papers journalist Frederik Obermaier, Whistleblower lawyer Mary Inman, Erica Hanichak of the FACT Coalition, Hannah Dewhirst of Positive Money, Professor Prem Sikka. Produced by Naomi Fowler and Leo Schick of the Tax Justice Network. Transcript of the show: (some may be automated) Further reading: The Chinese Phantom, the Hunt for the World's Most Dangerous Arms Dealer. (Available in English and in German) Also available here but please try to use a local bookshop! Tax abuse whistleblowers will earn a share of HMRC proceeds, says UK Finance Minister Windfall tax on bank profits in the UK could raise £15bn How to raise £60 billion for public services: ten tax reforms from Tax Justice UK Millionaires urge MPs “tax us, the super-rich” to avoid cuts and invest in Britain All our podcasts are available on our podcast website
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/35893535
info_outline
The Taxcast: trailer
03/05/2025
The Taxcast: trailer
Listen to the Taxcast wherever you get your podcasts. You can subscribe by email and get lots of resources and further reading on our website here: The Tax Justice Network has monthly podcasts in different languages focused on different regions of the world, all available here Also available there is our series The Corruption Diaries; a journey through the eyes of anti-corruption veterans, with unique perspectives on combating some of the most compelling ethical challenges of our time.
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/35543640
info_outline
Ending US financial secrecy
02/27/2025
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 progress, since the days when "you could just set up a company for 12 pounds and say you were Mickey Mouse with a shareholder Donald Duck and no one asked any questions." (Spoiler alert: there's still a long way to go) Guests include: and of the Financial Accountability and Corporate Transparency Coalition, Cynthia O'Murchu , Graham Barrow, financial crime sleuth and podcaster, campaigner and author Hosted and produced by , co-produced by Leo Schick. Transcript of this episode: Further reading: What is beneficial ownership? How to fix beneficial ownership frameworks, so they actually work Ownership Transparency Beneficial ownership registration around the world, 2022: US Judge Lifts Last Beneficial Ownership Roadblock Biden’s DOJ just asked the Supreme Court to do a huge favor for Donald Trump Supreme Court Allows Enforcement of Major Anti-Corruption Law to Resume, FACT Coalition: US company database remains on hold, despite Supreme Court decision Supreme Mess: The Beneficial Ownership Interest Reporting Controversy Lands At The U.S. Supreme Court The Corporate Transparency Act is Constitutional, Government and “Friend of the Court” Briefs Make Clear How overseas territories are being used to bypass UK transparency rules Owners of 53,000 properties still unknown Who paid £139 million for a Regent’s Park mansion? Nobody knows. How Do Judges Become Judges? Here Are Five Main Ways (US)
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/35472715
info_outline
al-Assad and Guernsey
01/31/2025
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. Featuring: at The , Ed Siddons Guernsey-based investigative and podcast , Rob Byrne Alex Cobham of the Tax Justice Network Hosted and produced by , Tax Justice Network Transcript of the show is here (some is automated) Further reading: ‘Butcher of Hama’: Assad’s uncle used Guernsey fund manager to stash millions looted from Syria (Bureau of Investigative Journalism) Guernsey, country profile, Tax Justice Network Guernsey Financial Services Commission notice regarding Ginette Blondel The Guernsey finance worker, the alleged war criminal and a £210k fine - Bailiwick Express News Jersey Sentencing of Bashar Assad’s Uncle in France Exposes Bank’s AML Failure Assad uncle used Guernsey adviser to secretly manage vast wealth Former Syrian Vice President Rifaat al-Assad will stand trial in Switzerland on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity When will the British government impose public registries on its tax havens? Tax Justice Network blog from 2019 "The three Crown Dependencies have committed to introducing public registers. Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man have private registers. However, in response to the 2022 ECJ ruling, in December 2022 the three governments said they would wait for legal advice before taking further steps." (House of Commons Library) Dear European Court of Justice, you were played, Tax Justice Network blog on 2022 European Court of Justice ruling Officer: GINETTE LOUISE BLONDEL, Data from Paradise Papers - Malta corporate registry Guernsey FSC Prohibitions and Disqualified Directors Trump demands countries surrender tax sovereignty at economic gunpoint, Tax Justice Network Countries should stand up to President Trump’s tax threat and continue working together to deliver a progressive global tax reform. Our website with all our podcasts is
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/35096615
info_outline
$6.2 million banana
12/17/2024
$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 discuss what research really says about so-called 'tax flight' by the very wealthy because of tax reforms. Will they really leave in droves? Featuring: , Tax Justice Network , Tax Justice Network of the London School of Economics. She's co-author of their report, Various AI-voiced excerpts from interviews with High Net Worth Individuals from the LSE report. Hosted and produced by , Tax Justice Network Transcript of the show is here (some is automated) Further reading: Texas Judge Wrongly Halts Enforcement of Landmark Anti-Money Laundering Law An update from FACT Coalition in the US on the US Treasury appeal against the Texas Judge’s Nationwide Injunction Against Corporate Transparency Act The Guy Who Bought (and Ate) That Banana Art Countries can raise $2 trillion by copying Spain’s wealth tax, study finds Tax flight? Britain’s wealthiest and their attachment to place, LSE report Infographic: The extreme wealth of the superrich is making our economies insecure Wiki: How to tax the superrich (with pictures)
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/34492895
info_outline
Trump: All's Not Lost
11/28/2024
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 talks to of the based in Europe and of the 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 in a tiny minority. And the second piece of good news is that despite huge lobbying to try to stop them, Australian politicians have shown how politicians really can act in the public interest - they've just passed legislation that means all major multinationals operating in Australia will now have to publish country by country reporting data on the scale of their activities, including profits declared and tax paid in a list of jurisdictions deemed as 'high risk.' It's not only good for Australia, it's going to shed light on what multinationals are doing in some other jurisdictions, which will help them tax fairly too. Transcript: (some is automated) Further reading: The world is losing half a trillion to tax abuse, largely due to 8 countries blocking UN tax reform UN General Assembly votes overwhelmingly to begin historic, global tax overhaul (US and UK left isolated as only 9 countries now oppose progress) UN recording of the historic vote and UN summary of the vote The Tax Justice Network rolling blog on UN tax negotiations: Australia's historic Country By Country Reporting bill passes Find all our podcasts and further information on
/episode/index/show/taxcast/id/34196880
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