Norway
info
in Liechtenstein
It was only a matter of time before Norwegian tax authorities would seize the opportunity to find out whether any Norwegian taxpayers are hiding money in Liechtenstein.
 The tax scandal in Liechtenstein continues to roll. PHOTO: ARND WIEGMANN/REUTERS The family of the former mayor of Oslo, Per Ditlev-Simonsen, got caught with undeclared funds in Switzerland. He has since retired and his daughter Cecilie was forced to quit a top job at Norsk Hydro. PHOTO: JARL FR ERICHSEN/SCANPIX |
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Countries all over Europe have been jumping on the bandwagon that started rolling when German authorities bought information from a former bank employee about secret accounts in the tiny country of Liechtenstein.
German tax authorities quickly found hundreds of German citizens who had stashed away money in foreign accounts at LGT Bank in Liechtenstein. Included among them was the otherwise respected boss of Deutsche Post, who's now charged with having evaded around EUR 1 million in taxes. He has resigned, confessed and is cooperating with the authorities.
Now other countries are asking Germany to share any information they may have that could reveal whether any of their citizens are listed as holding accounts in Liechtenstein. The Netherlands and Sweden have requested information. Now Norway will do the same.
The Norwegian tax authority (Skattedirektoratet) "will take contact with German tax authorities with the intention of obtaining more information," Lise Halvorsen, information director at Skatteetatet told business news service E24.
She cited the authorities' mandate to "protect the tax fundamentals" of the country as reason for the probe.
More than 90 Germans have so far confessed to having undeclared funds in Liechtenstein, and have agreed to repay nearly EUR 28 million in back taxes.
Nina Berglund
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