U.S. Seen as World's Second-Biggest Tax Haven After Switzerland

(Bloomberg) -- The U.S. is the world’s second-largest tax haven, behind Switzerland and just ahead of the Cayman Islands, according to a report released Tuesday.

The Financial Secrecy Index, an assessment of global financial centers compiled by the Tax Justice Network, a left-leaning research and advocacy group, bumped up the U.S. from its No. 3 spot in 2015 -- the last time the study was conducted -- following its increased share of the global market for offshore financial services.

The U.S. now accounts for about 22 percent of the global market in offshore services, up from 14 percent, according to the report.

“While the United States has pioneered powerful ways to defend itself against foreign tax havens, it has not seriously addressed its own role in attracting illicit financial flows and supporting tax evasion,” the report said. The authors criticized the U.S. for its “independent-minded approach” to cracking down on tax evasion, money laundering and financial crime.

Delaware, Nevada and Wyoming were highlighted as hot spots for secretive “shell” companies, with nominee officers and directors who serve as a front for the actual, hidden owners.

Hong Kong ranks as the fourth most secretive financial jurisdiction, followed by Singapore at No. 5. Taiwan was included for the first time and ranks No. 8.

The index, which is published every two years, ranks countries on their laws regarding the transparency of ownership structures, bank secrecy rules and financial reporting and disclosure requirements. Scores are weighted for size. This year, it used new criteria including whether countries provide public registers of ownership and annual accounts for limited partnerships.

To contact the reporter on this story: Lynnley Browning in New York at lbrowning4@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Alexis Leondis at aleondis@bloomberg.net, Larry Liebert

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