Governments need tax payments to stimulate national prosperity, welfare and an equitable economic development. Only through levying taxes they can fund facilities such as infrastructure, education, healthcare and a social safety net. Companies can contribute to these public facilities by paying a fair amount of tax. All countries, but especially developing countries need additional income to realise the mentioned facilities, and it is a heavy burden that companies and wealthy individuals avoid taxes on a large scale.

Each year developing countries miss an estimated US$ 104 billion of tax revenues due to corporate tax avoidance. Next to this, global tax avoidance due to undeclared private assets held offshore amounts to approximately US$ 156 billion per year. Not only developing countries miss out on significant tax revenues. Tax avoidance also takes place in countries that are members of the OECD.

Tax avoidance is a problem for everyone and provides relatively little benefits. This is the case for both poor and rich countries, and for both citizens and small and medium-sized enterprises. It is fundamentally argued that companies should pay taxes where their economic activities take place. Taxation should be based on the nature and scope of the economic activities (the substance) which companies have in each jurisdiction they are active in, in accordance with the applicable tax regulations in these jurisdictions. Individuals with large financial wealth should also pay their fair share of taxes.

(a) Discuss the characteristics and forms of tax havens. (10 marks) (b) Is Mauritius a Tax Haven? Critically discuss. (20 marks)