The Internal Revenue Service, lawmakers and Americans began paying more attention to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists following its public release of hundreds of names and financial details of offshore account holders in April.
Now, the ICIJ has released a new report, which gives the public access to extensive offshore tax haven records through its new Offshore Leaks Database.
Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash
The system contains hundreds of thousands of records detailing corporations, rather than individuals, that hold sizable assets in popular tax-havens. The consortium gained this information from roughly 2.5 million emails and financial documents it received in 2012, according to the Huffington Post. While lawmakers and the IRS will have ultimate say over whether any of the data in the documents constitute potential tax law violations, the release of the documents may increase the already-intense scrutiny of corporations and their use of certain tax practices to limit their liability.
This is particularly true after a 2012 report from the Tax Justice Network found that untaxed wealth invested in offshore tax havens ranged from $28 to $32 trillion, an amount that is equal to two years’ worth of U.S. economic output.
Several corporations, including Apple, Starbucks, Disney, and Microsoft have made headlines as of late due to lawmakers’ questioning over their taxes, and some – including Starbucks and Disney – have lobbied for more flexibility over their use of certain benefits and deductions. While scrutiny of many big-name firms continues, some analysts predict that new international agreements between several countries and the U.S. may provide more insight and transparency in corporate tax practices, which could potentially lead to more legal challenges of certain tax safeguards. Already, the Group of Eight (G-8) has named tax evasion and tax avoidance a key talking point at this year’s summit, indicating that a heavier emphasis on tax compliance is soon to become a global issue.
BESS Interconnection: Managing Grid, Cost, and Schedule Risk
For battery energy storage system (BESS) developers, securing equipment and site control is only part of the development equation. A project must also connect to the electric grid, and increasingly, BESS interconnection is one of the biggest sources of schedule, cost, and contractual risk. Key Takeaways This article is Part 3 of our Battery Storage […]
Navigating Director and Officer Liability in Times of Financial Distress
Director and officer liability increases sharply when a company is in financial distress. Decisions that would draw little attention in a healthy business can later be challenged by creditors, shareholders, bankruptcy trustees, and regulators as breaches of fiduciary duty, fraudulent transfers, or oversight failures. Understanding where that exposure comes from, and how to manage it, […]
Before You Buy: Managing Real Estate and Permitting Risk for BESS Projects in New York and New Jersey
For developers pursuing battery energy storage system (BESS) projects, finding the right property is only the beginning. BESS site selection is as much a legal and transactional exercise as a real estate decision, with risk analysis central to the project’s ultimate success. Key Takeaways The core questions for BESS site selection in New York and […]
What Business Owners Get Wrong Before Meeting a Litigation Attorney
What should you expect when meeting a litigation attorney about a business dispute? You should expect to describe the dispute in your own words, hand over the most important documents, flag any deadlines or immediate threats, and leave with a clearer picture of the problem, what information is still needed, and the likely next steps. […]
Arbitration vs. Litigation vs. Mediation: What New Jersey Businesses Should Know Before Signing a Contract
Arbitration resolves disputes privately before an arbitrator whose decision is usually final, while litigation resolves them in court with full rights of appeal. Whether a business ends up in arbitration or litigation is often decided when it signs the contract, long before any dispute arises. Key Takeaways When facing a contract dispute, carefully consider your […]
Can You Own Part of a New Jersey Business Without a Written Agreement?
Can you own part of a business in New Jersey without a written agreement? Yes, it is possible. Under New Jersey’s Uniform Partnership Act, a partnership can arise when two or more people carry on a business as co-owners for profit, whether or not they ever intended to form one. Ownership doesn’t necessarily depend on […]
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!
