Tax evasion crackdowns, efficiency savings and welfare cuts are easy political sells – but getting these measures to deliver large amounts of revenue is much more difficult.
Presidents have family drama, like all other people. Hunter Biden is simply the latest example of a family member who has brought negative attention to a president’s administration.
Lisa Marriott, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
New Zealand came very close to having an independent sentencing council to help set sentencing guidelines for crimes. For the sake of consistency, it might be time to revive the idea.
Research suggests punishing tax cheats can re-establish a sense of justice among the general public, so authorities should use their resources to ensure culpable offenders are held accountable.
Marc Tassé, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa
Highly compensated ‘enablers’ such as financial experts, lawyers, accountants, notaries, estate agents and company service providers are assisting oligarchs, dictators and criminals around the world.
Under the uncertain economic conditions of the pandemic, a voluntary disclosure program for overseas income could protect New Zealand’s small businesses — and promote tax honesty at the same time.
Some 10,000 people are likely to give up their US passport this year, way above average. Are they fleeing COVID-19? Nasty politics? Taxes? None of the above, says an expert on American citizenship.
The Covid-19 pandemic has laid bare Europe’s vulnerability to drug-supply disruption. Still, it remains by far the world leader in pharmaceutical products.