Video

In video: Swiss tax wheeze exposed

March 6th, 2012 | by Melanie Newman and Henry Richards | Published in Bureau Stories, Corporate Watch, Video  |  3 Comments

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The Bureau of Investigative Journalism and Private Eye went to Switzerland to investigate how British firms can use Swiss companies and branches to legally avoid billions of pounds in UK tax.

Undercover reporters met Vodafone’s Swiss branch manager.

 

In response to the investigation’s findings, Vodafone said it does not claim to have ‘material activities or operations in Switzerland’, that Vodafone’s structure is totally transparent, and that the existence of the Swiss branches was examined by HMRC before reaching the settlement in 2010. Its full response, along with other companies featured in this short report, is here.

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Related links:

• Vodafone: Undercover investigation exposes Swiss branches
• ‘As many holes as a Swiss cheese’: the UK tax system loses money abroad
• Bureau Recommends: Private Eye alleges second Vodafone tax scheme
• Has the Guardian exploited tax loopholes to save millions?
• Vodafone: The story so far

Responses

1. Jon P says:
   

   March 7th, 2012 at 12:05 am (#)

   Good on them.
   All the whingers here DON’T pay tax do they??? Nope. All dole bludgers

2. steve says:
   

   March 7th, 2012 at 11:23 pm (#)

   this big coporations and banks running our goverments

3. paul toplass says:
   

   March 17th, 2012 at 9:37 pm (#)

   its obvious what needs to be done .if they dont pay the due tax remove their licence and send the bailiffs in.If you threaten to close the market to them they will comply.But unfortunateley i think our politicians are frightened to do the right thing.