Swiss seek progress on U.S. tax deal - economy minister

[hutsonki]

(Reuters) - Switzerland hopes to restart talks with the U.S. over a long-simmering tax dispute following the re-election of president Obama, its economy minister was quoted as saying on Sunday.
Switzerland is trying to reach a deal to end investigations by U.S. tax authorities into 11 banks, including Credit Suisse (CSGN.VX) and Julius Baer (BAER.VX), suspected of helping clients dodge U.S. taxes with the help of offshore bank accounts.
It needs the tax deal so that it can normalise its banking relations with the United States and wants the investigations dropped in return for the payment of hefty fines by the Swiss banks and the transfer of names of thousands of U.S. clients.
"We are seeking clarification quickly," Johann Schneider-Ammann told the Zentralschweiz am Sonntag newspaper. "The situation has been blocked recently. That must now change."
The talks had stalled in the run-up to the U.S. election, and finance minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf has suggested the ball is firmly in the U.S. court.
The two countries are at odds over U.S. demands for Switzerland to hand over bank data from before 2009.
In a separate interview with the BaslerZeitung at the weekend, Credit Suisse Chairman Urs Rohner said the unresolved tax deal was a burden.
"We are doing everything that we can and may to resolve the problem. But in the end there is a need for a solution that all involved will have to agree to."

[sikpuppy]

I like Toblerone, but I always make the mistake of trying to bite the sections off instead of breaking them first. I end up with a badly bruised hard palate. Is this related to this random story?

[wswartzendruber]

I'm in a very plain mood this week. I think I'll go with Bud Light.

[energyman76b]

Germany just bought another cd full with data about tax evaders - will bring in a nice amount of money. And shows that the Swiss and their banks are still lying, cheating fuckfaces who deserve a good, long starvation.
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[pjp]

They need to just create separate internal banking system for the purpose of helping people protect themselves against fiscal oppression. Then they can have another banking system which operates internationally. I'd apply for fiscal asylum.
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lolgov. 'cause where we're going, you don't have civil liberties.

In Loving Memory
1787 - 2008

[energyman76b]

[pjp]

Why would I stop using streets? I've already stopped flying due to the TSA. I have never called police. And my food is purchased from private corporations.
_________________
lolgov. 'cause where we're going, you don't have civil liberties.

In Loving Memory
1787 - 2008

[energyman76b]

[pjp]

The existence of streets does not require a government. I'm opposed to subsidizing, so you are making the case for me regarding taxes! And apparently you've missed the part about food imports from questionable countries which may in fact contain melamine or other hazards. Bringing us to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). I wouldn't expect you to be familiar with what they stamp with approval. Not the least of which may come from questionable countries and contain melamine.

Now, all that said, I have on more than one occasion indicated support of "infrastructure" taxes. I am also willing to see it done without government (you'll have to engage dmitchell for details). 10% is more than generous. 15% as an interim rate while weening off the addiction.
_________________
lolgov. 'cause where we're going, you don't have civil liberties.

In Loving Memory
1787 - 2008

[Muso]

The US federal government thugocracy is borrowing $4.8 billion each day. Any penny which isn't tightly nailed down will be hoovered into the black hole of the stupidity of government waste.
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If I had a dollar for every time capitalism was blamed for the problems caused by government, I'd be a fat filmmaker with a baseball cap

[Spent]

[juniper]

[BoneKracker]

[pjp]