Ask Talking Biz News…about finding information on tax havens

TALKING BIZ NEWS EXCLUSIVE

Here is the another installment of Ask Talking Biz News, where a business reporter or editor asks a question related to reporting or writing about a business news topic.

Here is the question:

I spoke with you in 2009 when investigating an affordable housing nonprofit that had gone bankrupt after the founder’s suicide. I’m working on a different bankruptcy case now, involving an auto dealer that has left a number of people in the lurch for titles, trade-in payoffs, etc. One of his companies was formed in the Republic of Seychelles, which I’ve read is a tax haven. Do you have any suggestions for how I might go about learning more?

Talking Biz News responded:

Wow. I have never needed to find information about a company in the Seychelles, so I wouldn’t even know where to begin. But I went online and found this: http://www.ocra.com/jurisdictions/seychelles.asp. I hope it helps.

The reporter responded:

I think that’s a site I rummaged around on, but I’ll look more closely. Got any sources about IRS tax havens?

Talking Biz News responded:

What I would do is find a tax attorney in [the reporter’s city] to talk to on an off-the-record basis.

The reporter responded:

That’s a good idea. I’ll do that. Thanks again for helping to jog my brain a bit.

If you’ve got a question or need help with a business news story, e-mail croush@email.unc.edu.