Offshore Accounts: Money Laundering Vehicles?
An offshore bank account is an account at a bank located outside the United States or other country of residence of the banking client. These bank accounts are known for having low tax liabilities, thus making them also commonly known as tax havens. Offshore bank accounts also tend to provide financial and legal benefits. These benefits may include:
? less controlling legal regulation
? little to no taxation
? greater secrecy
? easy access to funds
? protection against local financial or political instability
Popular Offshore Banking Destinations
The most infamous and popular offshore banking centers in the global market are the Cayman Islands and Switzerland. Other well-known established destinations for offshore banking include the following (in alphabetical order):
? Bahamas
? Barbados
? Belize
? Bermuda
? British Virgin Islands
? Cyprus
? Dominica
? Gibraltar
? Ghana
? Hong Kong
? Labuan, Malaysia
? Liechtenstein
? Luxembourg
? Malta
? Macau
? Mauritius
? Monaco
? Montserrat
? Nauru
? Panama
? Seychelles
? Turks and Caicos Islands
Bad Reputation
Because of the seemingly lax regulation of monies deposited in offshore bank accounts, offshore banking has gotten something of a bad rap over the last few years. These types of bank accounts have often been associated with tax evasion, money laundering and organized crime. Offshore banking has been erroneously linked to shady business practices and underground economy. Legally, however, this type of banking does not deem personal funds safe from being subject to income tax on earned interest. U.S. taxpayers are required to report (on penalty of perjury), any offshore bank accounts which may be in their possession. Offshore banking institutions are not obligated to declare any income to foreign tax authorities (A.K.A. the IRS) because they are protected by bank secrecy. This lack of regulation toward reporting suspected tax evaders does not make not reporting the income (or evading income tax associated with it) legal.
On the Other Hand
Proponents of offshore banking have condemned any efforts towards supervision and control. They claim the process is driven, not by safety and financial issues, but by the aspiration of local banks and the IRS to control the funds stored in offshore bank accounts. They refer to the alleged fact that offshore banking offers a competitive threat to the established banking and taxation systems in countries such as the U.S.
Tightening Regulations
Even for those hoping to find easy tax havens and money laundering shelters in offshore accounts will find that the old rules no longer apply. The regulation of offshore banking is improving in many ways. The regulation of these elusive banking institutions is increasingly monitored by supranational nongovernmental organizations such as the International Monetary Fund. Offshore banks are required to report at least quarterly on many different aspects of their business. The increased focus on anti-money laundering initiatives in several different countries signifies that bank employees at all levels are encouraged to report suspicion of money laundering to the local authorities despite bank secrecy. Additionally, there is increased cooperation between police authorities across international borders.
In Conclusion
Though offshore banking has traditionally been notorious for money laundering, tax evasion and for being a tool for organized crime, increased regulation is making those stigmas a thing of the past. There are many advantages of offshore banking, most of which are legal and perfectly honorable. The desire of local banks to control all funds originated in the U.S. and ?get a piece of the pie? does not immediately translate to dishonest money laundering schemes.
Financial Services Company offering offshore mutual funds and offshore bank accounts, with offices in Bermuda, the Bahamas, Grand Cayman and London.

Other Article Sites
findabook.com moneycd.info a-mortgage.info
about-lemon-laws.info aboutstudentloans.info
all-about-publishing.info auctions-articles.info bestcollege-university.com bestispconnection.com
biblefolder.com blogger-website.com books-used.info brokers-guide.info buywindows.info cable-dsl.info
career-miner.com carpel-tunnel.info cashinaflash.info cashloanreviews.info casinobell.com chat-house.info
clearmycredit.info collegeloantips.info crones.info depression-articles.info
dirnic.net dishguides.info
divers-below.com expodog.info
financewizz.com fire-insurance.info getgood.info handleit.net
it-idea.info
health-supplies.info hosting-right.com insidealert.com insurance-facts.info jobs-employment.info
justgood.info lookgold.net
lowcost-travel.info money-source.info myhostzone.info numisblog.com
peoplesearchfinder.info pr-articles.info realeas.com
refinancing-guides.info spyware-remove.info
telelot.info the-law.info
toppaid.info travel-deals.info travelcorrect.com wedding-guide-site.com
your-blog.info your-credit.info
|
 |
 |
 |
Coin Collecting At FindaBook.com
Search For Books On Coin Collecting
MORE ARTICLES:
American Eagle Gold Coins: Why These Gold Bullion Coins Are a Worthy Investment
There's never been a better time to buy American Eagle Gold Coins An economic recession is almost assured
Leading Coin Supply Company "Wizard Coin Supply" Launches Book Advisory
Wizard Coin Supply, a global provider of coin supplies and coin collecting accessories, is proud to announce the launch of its New Book Advisory.
Coin Collecting: Tips On Quarter Collecting
Anyone and everyone could make collecting coins one?s hobby. However it is believed that at present 106 million Americans are into the hobby of collecting quarters. Collecting quarters involves men, women, and children of all ages.
Coin Collecting Supply Company "Wizard Coin Supply" Launches New Website
New site will provide a comprehensive catalog of coin collecting supplies and educational resources for coin collectors.
Challenge Coins - A Special Type of Coins
For your convenience we have published this article in order to let you know of everything related to the Challenge Coins. Enjoy ?
Old Coin Value - What's Important
Thank you for being interested in our work. We hope to be of service with the following guidelines. Everything you have as probably some sort of value attached to it. Sometimes this value is founded on how you feel about a certain item, while other items are given values assigned by others. The same applies to old coins and other coins in you collection. While professional coin dealers or expert coin collectors will know the old coin value for various coins, we may have no idea about this. This is the main reason why you should acquire as much knowledge as you can about evaluating old coin value and what their price is. The knowledge you will gain is priceless. You will be able to get a ruff idea about what you can expect to get from the...
Buying Coins at Local Estate Sales: A Shopping Guide For Collectors of Estate Sale Coins
What Is An Estate Sale
An estate sale is generally a liquidation of physical assets from a home
Buy Silver Coins With Confidence: A Guide To Selecting Reputable Silver Bullion Dealers
With the price of silver exploding in recent years, there seems to be no lack of silver bullion dealers advertising their services online Trying to find a reputable dealer can be a bit confusing for the novice silver coins investor
Knowing Your Coin Collection Value
Back in the olden days, people hoarded coins for the sole reason of the value they can get from them Centuries later, people transformed that mindless activity into an elite art called coin collecting
Hammered Coins of England is Increasing in Popularity as a Medium and Marketplace for Collectors of Old Hammered Coins
Hammeredcoinsofengland.com -- the website of the company which buys and sells old hammered coins -- is rapidly increasing in traffic as collectors visit their website to read their articles on hammered coins, buy and sell, as well as evaluate and give opinions on coins.
Cleaning Old Coins - What's Important
Thank you for being interested in our work. We hope to be of service with the following guidelines. Like many people you probably have or had some old coins in your possession. If you do have some you probably think that these old coins don?t have any value maybe you just keep the m for sentimental reasons or just because they are old. In most cases you would be wrong. The best way for you to know what these coins are worth would be to take them to a coin dealer. But be advised, you should never attempt to clean those coins before you take them for valuing.
Coin Collecting Becomes More Popular as Gold Tops $1,000 an Ounce
As the price of gold skyrockets and the economy falls into a recession, more people are taking up the hobby of collecting coins. And all the while, sites like CoinPeople.com and OmniCoin.com are reaping the benefits.
Historical Silver Dollar Value Trends Reveal Coins Destined for Bullish Futures
Analysis of U.S. Peace silver dollars (minted 1921-1935) indicate only a few dates of this artistically acclaimed coin series are good bets to enjoy strong price advancements in the future. This conclusion is based on proven performance over a period of many years.
Favorite Gold Coins To Collect For Investment
Why Gold American Eagle Coins are Popular among Collectors
New Jewish Coins Use Old Wisdom To Aid In Life Balancing
SoulCoin offers timeless wisdom through unique coins. SoulCoin has just released The Humility and Joy Coin Set, two 1.5 inch brass coins based on a well-known parable of Jewish wisdom. The coins help people balance their approach to life so that they can focus on achieving their goals in a positive, satisfying, yet humble way.
|