An online petition has been launched in Portugal to halt the use of secret offshore tax havens
A petition called 'More taxation, less tax secrecy' has been launched by the Tax Workers Union whose members want to see an end to the use of tax havens, corruption and tax evasion, as well as promoting social justice.
Following the 'Panama Papers' revelations outlining details of schemes to harbour capitakl from Portugal in offshore accounts, the online petition aims to pressure the government and Parliament to adopt legislative measures to combat tax havens and to ensure justice and tax fairness for all of Portugal’s citizens and businesses.
The petition also calls for an increase in resources so that the Tax Authority is better equipped to track down those evading taxes and wants an end to tax secrecy in the fight for fairness.
"Over the last few years the Portuguese systematically have been confronted with cases of fraud and tax evasion, as well as corruption, which continuously depletes State coffers and undermines public confidence in the justice and the functioning of institutions," according to the petition text.
Figures from the Centre for Economics and Fraud Management are cited, showing estimates of the growth in the shadow economy to 26.81% of GDP, or €45.901 billion, in 2013.
"As evidenced by the Panama Papers, this situation widens the gap between rich and poor. One the one side are those that are able to 'escape' their obligations, putting income in tax havens and benefiting from tax planning schemes, and on the other are citizens and businesses who pay their taxes. To make up for tax evaders, those who pay taxes have to pay more and more to make up for those who do not.”
The petition says that the lack of State investment in solutions to combat tax evasion practices has been "ethically reprehensible".
The signatories claim that there is a lack of "political will to mobilise resources to confront evaders and to develop the legal frameworks necessary for a more effective fight against fraud and tax evasion."
The petition also decries the passivity of several countries, including Portugal, which live happily with the concept of tax havens" thus allowing tax dodgers to operate.
http://peticaopublica.com/pview.aspx?pi=PT80665
Comments
So few Portuguese have anything resembling an anchor in what is seen in developed countries as 'socially useful behaviour'. Strongly enough wedged into the "Rocks of Goodness" that they will speak out wherever bad behaviour is found. Apart from all the bent Justice and law enforcement officials at the core of this society, many EU foreigners have often found to their cost that an apparently 'honest' and 'helpful' Portuguese comes at a price.
Once rewarded they disappear having already been told to Pink Map, by someone higher in the food chain. The last 3 generations have not changed this - how many more must live and die before anything improves?
and probably pay all taxes required. What Finanàas does not know are the names of the people behind these offshore companies... as the majority are registered under the name of the ad hoc lawyers (who are the fiscal representants of these companies in Portugal). Everybody remembers the incredible stories about the Salgada bank managers, the stories about Socrates and the submarines commissions.... in fact all the big scandals of the last years in Portugal all have a link with "offshore banking" or "offshore property". ..