Chancellor Merkel says Germany is likely to buy data on possible tax-evaders that media say an informant has offered to sell authorities. The case could spark a fresh tax row between Germany and Switzerland. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday that she was in favor of acquiring the information on citizens who had allegedly sheltered millions in secret Swiss bank accounts. "Like every reasonable person, I support doing everything we can to clamp down on tax evasion," Merkel told reporters. "If these data are relevant we should aim to get hold of them." German media reported over the weekend that an informant had offered data of up to 1,500 possible tax evaders with accounts in Switzerland which could lead to 100 million euros for state coffers.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday that she was in favor of acquiring the information on citizens who had allegedly sheltered millions in secret Swiss bank accounts.
"Like every reasonable person, I support doing everything we can to clamp down on tax evasion," Merkel told reporters. "If these data are relevant we should aim to get hold of them."
German media reported over the weekend that an informant had offered data of up to 1,500 possible tax evaders with accounts in Switzerland which could lead to 100 million euros for state coffers.
Germany announced Monday that it may buy the names of suspected tax-dodgers from a Swiss whistle-blower, leaving the two countries on a collision course over Switzerland's prized banking secrecy regulations. AFP - Germany and Switzerland were on collision course on Monday over the Alpine state's cherished banking secrecy after Berlin said it might buy the names of suspected tax-dodgers from a whistle-blower. Press reports said that an informer had offered Berlin the names of up to 1,500 Germans hiding their riches from the tax authorities in Switzerland for 2.5 million euros (3.5 million dollars). Switzerland warned Germany that buying stolen information "violates public policy and the principle of good faith ... (and) constitutes a breach of the privacy of the clients concerned," refusing to cooperate if Berlin went ahead.
AFP - Germany and Switzerland were on collision course on Monday over the Alpine state's cherished banking secrecy after Berlin said it might buy the names of suspected tax-dodgers from a whistle-blower.
Press reports said that an informer had offered Berlin the names of up to 1,500 Germans hiding their riches from the tax authorities in Switzerland for 2.5 million euros (3.5 million dollars).
Switzerland warned Germany that buying stolen information "violates public policy and the principle of good faith ... (and) constitutes a breach of the privacy of the clients concerned," refusing to cooperate if Berlin went ahead.
