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Automatic for the (tax) people: information sharing and cross-border investment in tax havens

Author

Listed:
  • Agustín Bénétrix

    (IMTCD, Department of Economics, Trinity College Dublin)

  • Lorenz Emter

    (IMTCD, Department of Economics, Trinity College Dublin and Central Bank of Ireland)

  • Martin Schmitz

    (European Central Bank)

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of international automatic exchange of information (AEOI) treaties on cross-border investments in tax havens. Using a restricted version of the BIS Locational Banking Statistics we find that AEOIs significantly reduced cross-border deposits. A sectoral breakdown assessment reveals that households were the key driving force behind this contraction. Analysing other forms of cross-border investment, we observe that tax havens' portfolio and direct investment assets in non-haven countries fell significantly after AEOI introduction, indicating a reduction of round-tripping investments. However, we also document evidence of households' deposits shifting to non-AEOI haven countries. Moreover, we observe larger FDI positions and deposits by non-bank financial institutions between tax haven countries, suggesting an increased use of shell corporation networks since AEOI introduction.

Suggested Citation

  • Agustín Bénétrix & Lorenz Emter & Martin Schmitz, 2021. "Automatic for the (tax) people: information sharing and cross-border investment in tax havens," Trinity Economics Papers tep1321, Trinity College Dublin, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:tcd:tcduee:tep1321
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    File URL: https://www.tcd.ie/Economics/TEP/2021/TEP1321.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    cross-border banking; tax havens; international tax treaties; tax evasion;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G28 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • H26 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Tax Evasion and Avoidance
    • H87 - Public Economics - - Miscellaneous Issues - - - International Fiscal Issues; International Public Goods
    • K34 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Tax Law

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