Hans-Rudolf Merz

Latest news

Non-Profits Receive Deadline Extension

Over 300 000 US charities are at risk of losing their tax exemption status, unless they make use of the Government’s new tax return filing deadline extension.

UK Consulting on Tax Issues

The UK Government is taking action to show national taxpayers and international investors that the country “is open for business”, by initiating an extensive round of public consultation of tax system legislation issues.

Tax Collection from Oil Exceed Industry Profit

The oil and gas industry is facing heavy criticism from the media, the public, and subsequently US Government politicians, under the assumption that the sector is under-taxed and action has to be taken to correct the situation. However, tax revenues arising from the sector in recent years have eclipsed the profits made by the entire oil extraction and exploration industry.

International Fight on Foreign Bribery Lagging

Countries representing an approximate 70 percent of world trade have been deemed as not having taken enough action to combat the occurrence of international bribery.

OECD Updates Several Tax Guidelines

In an effort to maintain a relevant and up-to-date set of instruments to facilitate international tax agreements and transactions, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development has published revised versions of its vital documents.

Nov 5, 20090

Swiss Suspend Tax Talks with Italy

Categories: International Tax Cooperation, Offshore Banking, Taxation in Italy, Taxation in Switzerland

The Swiss Government has put a halt on Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) procedures with Italy. Following Italy’s raid on Swiss banks located in Italy, the Swiss government announced on November 1st that it has suspended its negotiations regarding their DTA with Italy. In retaliation, Giulio Tremonti, Italy’s Finance Minister, threatened to “dry out” Lugano, Switzerland’s [...]

The Swiss Government has put a halt on Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) procedures with Italy. Following Italy's raid on Swiss banks located in Italy, the Swiss government announced on November 1st that it has suspended its negotiations regarding their DTA with Italy. In retaliation, Giulio Tremonti, Italy's Finance Minister, threatened to “dry out” Lugano, Switzerland's most prominent financial center after Zurich and Geneva. Hans-Rudolf Merz, Swiss President and Finance Minister, said "The accord was ready for ratification from our side. But now the ... Read More