http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Wed, 22 May 2013 13:30:22 +0200 Wed, 22 May 2013 13:30:22 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/eu-faces-tough-battle-to-curb-tax-avoidance-and-evasion-a-900900.html#ref=rss Wealthy businesspeople shift millions of euros abroad while profitable companies use accounting tricks to minimize their taxable earnings and assets. The EU finally wants to create effective policies to curb these practices, but faces strong opposition from member states. Tue, 21 May 2013 15:55:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/eu-faces-tough-battle-to-curb-tax-avoidance-and-evasion-a-900900.html Wealthy businesspeople shift millions of euros abroad while profitable companies use accounting tricks to minimize their taxable earnings and assets. The EU finally wants to create effective policies to curb these practices, but faces strong opposition from member states.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/tax-investigators-raid-home-of-german-artist-georg-baselitz-a-898294.html#ref=rss After North Rhine-Westphalia bought a CD last summer with data on secret bank accounts, tax authorities have another high-profile case in their cross-hairs. They searched the Bavarian home of artist Georg Baselitz, whose work fetches millions on the international market, in a tax investigation. Mon, 06 May 2013 11:39:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/tax-investigators-raid-home-of-german-artist-georg-baselitz-a-898294.html After North Rhine-Westphalia bought a CD last summer with data on secret bank accounts, tax authorities have another high-profile case in their cross-hairs. They searched the Bavarian home of artist Georg Baselitz, whose work fetches millions on the international market, in a tax investigation.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/bayern-president-uli-hoeness-may-end-up-in-jail-for-tax-evasion-a-897474.html#ref=rss Uli Hoeness, the president of Bayern Munich and an icon of German club soccer, could end up behind bars for tax evasion. The case has highlighted the dark side of the skilful entrepreneur and philanthropist whose burning ambition made Bayern what it is today -- and has now triggered his fall from grace. Wed, 01 May 2013 18:35:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/bayern-president-uli-hoeness-may-end-up-in-jail-for-tax-evasion-a-897474.html Uli Hoeness, the president of Bayern Munich and an icon of German club soccer, could end up behind bars for tax evasion. The case has highlighted the dark side of the skilful entrepreneur and philanthropist whose burning ambition made Bayern what it is today -- and has now triggered his fall from grace. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/uli-hoeness-case-tough-times-ahead-for-german-tax-evaders-a-897333.html#ref=rss The case of Bayern Munich President Uli Hoeness is heating up the German election campaign and presenting a challenge to the courts, which have gone easy on wealthy tax offenders until now. The high-profile case is likely to mean harsher punishments in the future. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:36:56 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/uli-hoeness-case-tough-times-ahead-for-german-tax-evaders-a-897333.html The case of Bayern Munich President Uli Hoeness is heating up the German election campaign and presenting a challenge to the courts, which have gone easy on wealthy tax offenders until now. The high-profile case is likely to mean harsher punishments in the future. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/sociologist-jean-ziegler-says-swiss-banks-plundering-german-treasury-a-896689.html#ref=rss Sociologist and former politician Jean Ziegler has few nice things to say about the banking sector in his native Switzerland. In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, he argues the Alpine nation is the world capital of dealing in stolen goods, and that Germany has the power to change it. Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:05:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/sociologist-jean-ziegler-says-swiss-banks-plundering-german-treasury-a-896689.html Sociologist and former politician Jean Ziegler has few nice things to say about the banking sector in his native Switzerland. In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, he argues the Alpine nation is the world capital of dealing in stolen goods, and that Germany has the power to change it.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/analysis-of-impact-of-uli-hoeness-tax-probe-on-chancellor-angela-merkel-a-895947.html#ref=rss The tax probe of Bayern Munich President Uli Hoeness presents a danger for Chancellor Angela Merkel five months before general elections. The case makes her look weak on fighting tax evasion, a potentially major campaign issue. That explains why she was so quick to denounce the icon of German club soccer. Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:30:03 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/analysis-of-impact-of-uli-hoeness-tax-probe-on-chancellor-angela-merkel-a-895947.html The tax probe of Bayern Munich President Uli Hoeness presents a danger for Chancellor Angela Merkel five months before general elections. The case makes her look weak on fighting tax evasion, a potentially major campaign issue. That explains why she was so quick to denounce the icon of German club soccer.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/bayern-munich-president-uli-hoeness-faces-tax-evasion-probe-a-895769.html#ref=rss Bayern Munich President Uli Hoeness, the most powerful man in German club soccer, faces a steep fall from grace following weekend revelations that he is under investigation for tax evasion on a large Swiss bank account. Politicians are criticizing the football icon, who has been a vocal critic of corruption. Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:51:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/bayern-munich-president-uli-hoeness-faces-tax-evasion-probe-a-895769.html Bayern Munich President Uli Hoeness, the most powerful man in German club soccer, faces a steep fall from grace following weekend revelations that he is under investigation for tax evasion on a large Swiss bank account. Politicians are criticizing the football icon, who has been a vocal critic of corruption. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/germany-raids-200-suspected-tax-evaders-in-nationwide-hunt-a-894693.html#ref=rss German tax authorities have bought a new CD containing bank account details of thousands of alleged tax evaders with accounts in Switzerland. They conducted 200 raids on Tuesday and expect to recoup more than half a billion euros in lost tax revenues. Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:50:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/germany-raids-200-suspected-tax-evaders-in-nationwide-hunt-a-894693.html German tax authorities have bought a new CD containing bank account details of thousands of alleged tax evaders with accounts in Switzerland. They conducted 200 raids on Tuesday and expect to recoup more than half a billion euros in lost tax revenues. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/french-president-francois-hollande-seeks-legitimacy-amid-tax-scandal-a-893293.html#ref=rss French President François Hollande is doing some moral spring cleaning. His recent demands that government ministers make public all their financial assets are part of an effort to rebuild the reputation of the political caste -- and to legitimize his government so he can finally start governing again. Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:38:59 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/french-president-francois-hollande-seeks-legitimacy-amid-tax-scandal-a-893293.html French President François Hollande is doing some moral spring cleaning. His recent demands that government ministers make public all their financial assets are part of an effort to rebuild the reputation of the political caste -- and to legitimize his government so he can finally start governing again.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/offshore-leaks-gives-boost-to-global-resistance-against-tax-havens-a-892977.html#ref=rss Tax havens cause hundreds of millions of euros in annual damage to national economies around the world and they create an uncontrollable parallel economy. The recent Offshore Leaks investigative reports are helping to fuel efforts in Europe and the US to have them eliminated. Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:48:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/offshore-leaks-gives-boost-to-global-resistance-against-tax-havens-a-892977.html Tax havens cause hundreds of millions of euros in annual damage to national economies around the world and they create an uncontrollable parallel economy. The recent Offshore Leaks investigative reports are helping to fuel efforts in Europe and the US to have them eliminated.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/offshore-leaks-german-offenders-face-tough-road-ahead-a-892728.html#ref=rss German officials are demanding details on hundreds of alleged tax cheats uncovered by the "Offshore Leaks" report this week. With tighter laws in place, anxious violators probably won't get off as easy as before. Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:53:54 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/offshore-leaks-german-offenders-face-tough-road-ahead-a-892728.html German officials are demanding details on hundreds of alleged tax cheats uncovered by the "Offshore Leaks" report this week. With tighter laws in place, anxious violators probably won't get off as easy as before.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/deutsche-bank-criticized-for-offshore-operations-a-892739.html#ref=rss As part of an international reporting project on offshore companies and trusts, two German newspapers are reporting that Deutsche Bank helped to establish some 300 such entities through its operations in Singapore. The news isn't entirely new, but criticism of the company is growing. Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:04:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/deutsche-bank-criticized-for-offshore-operations-a-892739.html As part of an international reporting project on offshore companies and trusts, two German newspapers are reporting that Deutsche Bank helped to establish some 300 such entities through its operations in Singapore. The news isn't entirely new, but criticism of the company is growing.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/cahuzac-tax-evasion-scandal-threatens-french-government-a-892547.html#ref=rss Former Budget Minister Jerome Cahuzac shocked France this week by admitting to tax evasion. The scandal represents a potential disaster for the struggling Socialist government and could increase pressure from the public and the political opposition against President François Hollande. Thu, 04 Apr 2013 17:01:54 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/cahuzac-tax-evasion-scandal-threatens-french-government-a-892547.html Former Budget Minister Jerome Cahuzac shocked France this week by admitting to tax evasion. The scandal represents a potential disaster for the struggling Socialist government and could increase pressure from the public and the political opposition against President François Hollande.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/icij-journalists-expose-mass-web-of-global-tax-evasion-a-892505.html#ref=rss An international network of journalists has obtained some 2.5 million records from tax havens detailing shell companies, offshore accounts and dubious financial deals. The unprecedented leaks include the names of 130,000 people who at one time or other moved their money offshore. Thu, 04 Apr 2013 13:48:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/icij-journalists-expose-mass-web-of-global-tax-evasion-a-892505.html An international network of journalists has obtained some 2.5 million records from tax havens detailing shell companies, offshore accounts and dubious financial deals. The unprecedented leaks include the names of 130,000 people who at one time or other moved their money offshore. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/german-online-porn-magnate-frank-thylmann-arrested-in-belgium-a-872217.html#ref=rss One of the world's most successful Internet porn magnates has been arrested in Belgium on German tax evasion charges, a prosecutor has said. Fabian Thylmann's empire is reported to include the websites YouPorn, Brazzers and MyDirtyHobby. Tue, 11 Dec 2012 12:51:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/german-online-porn-magnate-frank-thylmann-arrested-in-belgium-a-872217.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/swiss-bank-ubs-chairman-axel-weber-says-lessons-learned-from-crisis-a-870642.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL interview, UBS board chairman Axel Weber says his bank is better prepared than most others for new, stricter capital requirements. UBS has learned from the mistakes of the financial crisis, he says, and explains why the Swiss financial giant has moved away from investment banking. Thu, 06 Dec 2012 14:55:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/swiss-bank-ubs-chairman-axel-weber-says-lessons-learned-from-crisis-a-870642.html In a SPIEGEL interview, UBS board chairman Axel Weber says his bank is better prepared than most others for new, stricter capital requirements. UBS has learned from the mistakes of the financial crisis, he says, and explains why the Swiss financial giant has moved away from investment banking.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-city-finds-3-billion-euros-hidden-by-tax-evaders-in-swiss-bank-a-870831.html#ref=rss Yet another CD has surfaced containing data on German tax evaders who have stashed billions in a Swiss bank. The city of Bochum is hoping for a windfall as a result. But the discovery further undermines a stalled deal between Germany and Switzerland to crack down on tax evasion. Tue, 04 Dec 2012 12:50:07 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-city-finds-3-billion-euros-hidden-by-tax-evaders-in-swiss-bank-a-870831.html Yet another CD has surfaced containing data on German tax evaders who have stashed billions in a Swiss bank. The city of Bochum is hoping for a windfall as a result. But the discovery further undermines a stalled deal between Germany and Switzerland to crack down on tax evasion.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-opposition-votes-against-tax-treaty-with-switzerland-a-868912.html#ref=rss Germany's center-left opposition torpedoed a long-awaited tax treaty with Switzerland on Friday, saying it didn't go far enough in solving the problem of tax evasion. A compromise may still be found, but the vote leaves the deal teetering on the brink of failure. Fri, 23 Nov 2012 13:00:01 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-opposition-votes-against-tax-treaty-with-switzerland-a-868912.html Germany's center-left opposition torpedoed a long-awaited tax treaty with Switzerland on Friday, saying it didn't go far enough in solving the problem of tax evasion. A compromise may still be found, but the vote leaves the deal teetering on the brink of failure.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/effort-to-close-multinationaltax-loopholes-gaining-steam-a-866989.html#ref=rss Large multinationals, many of them based in the United States, are masters at avoiding taxes on profits made abroad. Apple, for example, paid just $100 million in taxes in 2010 on overseas profits of $13 billion. But Germany would like to put a stop to the practice, and is finding some influential support. <i>By SPIEGEL Staff</i> Wed, 14 Nov 2012 11:11:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/effort-to-close-multinationaltax-loopholes-gaining-steam-a-866989.html Large multinationals, many of them based in the United States, are masters at avoiding taxes on profits made abroad. Apple, for example, paid just $100 million in taxes in 2010 on overseas profits of $13 billion. But Germany would like to put a stop to the practice, and is finding some influential support. By SPIEGEL Staff ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/interview-with-greek-editor-kostas-vaxevanis-on-tax-evasion-a-865417.html#ref=rss Police arrested Kostas Vaxevanis at the end of October for publishing the names of hundreds of rich Greeks suspected of tax evasion, only to be released a short time later. He tells SPIEGEL that Greek politicians are complicit in the scam and seek to pass laws to retroactively legalize tax offenses. Tue, 06 Nov 2012 13:07:12 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/interview-with-greek-editor-kostas-vaxevanis-on-tax-evasion-a-865417.html Police arrested Kostas Vaxevanis at the end of October for publishing the names of hundreds of rich Greeks suspected of tax evasion, only to be released a short time later. He tells SPIEGEL that Greek politicians are complicit in the scam and seek to pass laws to retroactively legalize tax offenses.]]>