In the Netherlands, you can keep well hidden money

Also from the revelations of the Panama Papers shows again that the Netherlands is a popular route for large sums of money shadowy. But why is that foreign money in our direction?

According to Francis Weyzig, tax specialist at Oxfam, there is a clear pattern in load routes through the Netherlands. "Dutch intermediaries make it easy to conceal money, wash it white and to make fraudulent payments. It is deplorable that the Netherlands every time plays a major role in such tax structures. "

Why this is so is clear from the Panamanian tax site where it all to do, Mossack Fonseca, himself. The consultants make no secret of the unique opportunities that the Netherlands offers international load routes.

A Dutch foundation set up can for instance be particularly interesting if you do not want to be known. Only the board of the foundation has to be entered in the Trade Register. Also, there are business forms in which it is not necessary according to the Dutch law provides that all owners are known.

U2 IN AMSTERDAM
In addition, there needs to be paid no tax in the Netherlands on copyright and interest. Irish rock band U2 has therefore been an office at Amsterdam's Keizersgracht where come all the income of their songs, so they do not pay tax in their own country.

"Add to this that many trust companies manage their letterbox firms in the Netherlands, we here speak good English, we are known as a reliable country and you understand that it is attractive to send money to the Netherlands," says Weyzig.

The choking therefore the letterbox companies, companies in the Netherlands that are supposedly based in the Netherlands, but for which no one here actually does something. Just to pay less or no tax.

STARBUCKS
A common example is Starbucks, which has set up a separate company that manages the property on their coffee in the Netherlands. Starbuck Stores from paying the world a fee to this Dutch company in order to use the coffee. The money earned from the royalties, eventually goes back to parent company Starbucks without a penny tax has been paid.

All neatly within the boundaries of the law.

But the same tricks used by corrupt politicians, sports directors and criminals to evade taxes and launder money to white. Until now clear from the leaked documents Panamanian anyway that FIFA officials Dutch businesses founded to cash out bribes.

But according to the Dutch journalists who are still investigated leaked documents but the beginning of the Dutch involvement in international tax evasion.

http://www.metronieuws.nl/  Rens Oving Photo: AFP