Exposure of Tax Havens is Political Watergate
The disclosure of tax havens is political dynamite. Since the beginning of the financial crisis federal governments are pumping billions into banks. But the dealings with criminal tax havens proceed as before, comments Sahra Wagenknecht, deputy party chair of the party DIE LINKE, on the disclosure of data sets of international tax fraudsters. Sahra Wagenknecht further:
The announcements of ex-finance minister Steinbrück and incumbent finance minister Schäuble to drain tax havens have been nothing but hot air. The capital flight from Cyprus to EU member states like Malta or Great Britain shows: the tax mafia is among us.
DIE LINKE demands the immediate abolition of the flat rate withholding tax on private investment incomes. Unearned incomes from assets may no longer be taxed lower than income from work.
Additionally, double taxation agreements with uncooperative states have to be cancelled immediately and their banks‘ licenses in Germany withdrawn. Dividends, interests, and license fees flowing from Germany to uncooperative states have to be taxed with a 50 per cent deduction at source.