International legal system for combating money laundering and unfair tax competition

Abstract

Worldwide efforts to eliminate bank secrecy and foster transparency in international currency flows have accelerated significantly in recent years. The identification of tax havens and potentially harmful tax practices and regimes gives rise to a considerable potential for preventing distortions and violations that could undermine the benefits of enhanced capital mobility in today’s global economy. In the light of the aforementioned, the aim of this article is to detail: 1. efforts of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to eliminate «unfair tax competition»; 2. efforts of the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF) to reduce international money laundering; 3. steps being taken in the European Union (EU) to combat money laundering and tax evasion. The author analyzes the OECD's efforts to create a firm international platform for global tax information exchange. The Article also touches upon the FATF initiatives to combat money laundering: a) the FATF Forty Recommendations setting out a comprehensive and consistent framework of international standards which countries should implement in order to combat money laundering and terrorist financing; b) identification of jurisdictions which have the substantial and on-going money laundering and terrorist financing risks and strategic deficiencies; c) inclusion of certain anti-money laundering recommendations applicable to business and professions beyond the financial services industry; d) ongoing investigations of compliance with the Forty Recommendations by FATF members and by other states (mutual evaluations); e) helping national governments and financial institutions to ensure adequate and accurate information on the beneficial ownership. In the last part of the Article, the author analyses enforcement measures to combat money laundering adopted in the EU that go further beyond FATF recommendations.