G8 leaders agree tax evasion measures

Leaders of the G8 major economies at their summit meeting in Belfast, 17-18 June 2013 agreed new measures to clamp down on money launderers, illegal tax evaders and corporate tax avoiders.

Governments agreed to give each other automatic access to information on their residents' tax affairs.

They will also require shell companies - often used to exploit tax loopholes and invest money anonymously - to identify their effective owners.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Fighting tax evasion: Commission proposes widest scope of automatic exchange of information within the EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-fighting-tax-evasion-commission-proposes-widest-scope-of-automatic-exchange-of-information-within-the-eu/

ESO: Background Information: G8 Summit - Belfast, 17/18 June 2013 http://www.europeansources.info/record/g8-summit-belfast-17-18-june-2013/

UK: Government: Policy Paper: G8 Lough Erne Declaration https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/g8-lough-erne-declaration

EUObserver, 19.06.13: G8 tax deal falls short of expectations http://euobserver.com/news/120549

EurActiv, 19.06.13: G8 summit mulls action on tax evasion http://www.euractiv.com/euro-finance/g8-summit-mulls-action-tax-evasi-news-528710

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