Evasion: Why Panama papers are important – ZEIT ONLINE

Panama Papers – Billions boxes How many tax evasion in so-called offshore havens? Numbers are few and are controversial. The Panama Papers could change that.

1,. Ancestry is not equal to know

We knew it already! Thus it is often said, when large research will be published – this time. But there is a difference between knowing and sensing. That there are shell companies in tax-efficient States, may have been known. But how this business works in detail, the Süddeutsche Zeitung and the International Consortium for Investigative journalism can (ICIJ) demonstrate for the first time on this scale. Since we know that a single service provider, the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, more than 200,000 offshore companies founded, managed and endowed with sparkle directors. We know how the company communicated with banks that firm employees offered even training for bankers in terms of financial laws of the British Virgin Islands and how the customer can withdraw their money in their home country of accounts of shell companies. All that could be guessed in advance. Now you know it.

. 2 The research points to a global problem

The Panama Datenleak only affects one country, one firm – but already shows a global system. This is not a wonder. Even though Panama is now rightly at the center of criticism because the country refuses for years to combat evasion: The problem remains a global. The United States, for example, are extremely hesitant when it comes to close their own tax haven Delaware. And EU countries like the Netherlands or Luxembourg offer to this day as a refuge for international companies like Apple or Amazon. The consequences of such a policy are now public. And the world looks towards.

. 3 Legal does not equal good

True: At present we assume many of the transactions that have now become public, not illegal. But that does not mean that it is right when people open Hunderttauende Offhore firms under a false name in order to make anonymous transactions can. The Panamanian shell companies are legal, because the laws in this country, it will. These laws, however, are not set in stone. The operation of such a company is not trivial, but an increasingly internationally outlawed practice. There may be a few good reasons to shell companies, but often they serve simply to avoid taxes. This may be legal, well it is not. Tax evasion deprives the state, the company money that is actually needed for the community. The scandal is the case of Panama papers basically not that illegal activities were uncovered, but that these activities are legal.

. 4 It is about the system, not to big names

Putin cellist friend likes viewed from Germany appear as small number. But who then evaluated extensive Datenleaks whether big names are involved, misunderstands the nature of the material. Datasets of this size reveal, at best, not merely a few spectacular individual cases but a general problem. This is also the happiness of the publication of the Panama-papers: They are the first, as the system of the Panamanian shell companies works and how global this business is organized. It’s true: You can not draw any quick conclusions and hold each shell companies represent for tax evaders. But really is just also that for years the system of shell companies favored the business of tax evasion and money laundering. The firm Mossack apparently cooperated with all important German and international banks so wealthy could hide from around the world their money in offshore companies. It is this systematic problem that has now been revealed – regardless of how big are the names that are involved.

. 5 Journalists are not judges – and no investigators

journalists to inform. They should explain how things are related. You will discover what needs to be known. They should also criticize the powerful. But journalists are no judges and no police investigators. You do not have to prove individuals criminally relevant misconduct. This is the task of public authorities. but well, a report will be a starting point for government action. In the case of Panama papers that happens already.

In Iceland, the citizens have demonstrated against the liberal Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, whose name appears in connection with the Panama papers. The Premier is therefore now resigned. In Germany, the Financial Supervisory Authority BaFin has apparently been several banks asked questions about their offshore transactions involving shell companies. In Ukraine MPs call for an independent commission which can review the search results and initiate criminal prosecution. Because the President should also be a client of Mossack Fonseca. Petro Poroshenko is but begun among others as president to fight corruption and tax fraud in his country. Now there is evidence that he set up a company in the British Virgin Islands for themselves was a few weeks after taking office, in order to optimize his taxes.

All these truths were brought to light because of the courage of whistleblowers and the work of hundreds journalists. Now the debate can begin: on international rules and how solidarity the elites with the rest of the world are still. That in itself has a value.

Collaborators: Steffen Dobbert