Classification of Switzerland as an uncooperative jurisdiction

6.2.2015

Question for written answer E-002050-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Paloma López Bermejo (GUE/NGL)

Spain’s Tax Office, Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office and International Legal Assistance Department recently considered it to be proven that various Swiss banks had been involved in manoeuvres to conceal funds in order to avoid the payment of tax during the controversial Gürtel case.

The said institutions have decided not to take any legal action on the basis that the said financial bodies are outside Spanish jurisdiction. However, the lack of cooperation by the Swiss Government in the field of fraud and tax evasion is also obvious, when it does not take legal action against the banks involved in this and many other similar cases.

Does the Commission intend on asking the Swiss Government to consider taking legal action against banks which conceal information about tax evaders in Member States of the Union?

Does it intend on asking for Switzerland to be included on the OCDE’s list of uncooperative tax havens?

Does it intend on pointing out in any of its publications relating to fraud and tax evasion Switzerland’s uncooperative role in tax matters?