ZURICH--U.S. tax authorities have submitted a new request for
information on Credit Suisse (CS) clients suspected of dodging
taxes by hiding money in secret Swiss bank accounts.
A spokesman for the Swiss Federal Tax Administration confirmed
that a request for administrative assistance had been made by the
fiscal authorities in the U.S. last month.
"We received a demand for administrative assistance from the
U.S. authorities on July 9," said Thomas Brueckner, spokesman for
the Swiss Tax Administration.
Further details of the request, including who and which
institutions it concerned, were confidential, Mr. Brueckner
said.
"How far we have proceeded we cannot say at the moment," he
said.
Eleven Swiss banks including Credit Suisse and Julius Baer
Holding AG (BAER.VX) are under investigation in the U.S. for
allegedly helping its citizens to avoid tax.
"We can confirm that this requests Credit Suisse clients," said
Credit Suisse spokesman Marc Dosch.
Swiss newspaper Neue Zuercher Zeitung Friday reported that
around 100 American clients had received letters that they would be
affected.
The paper said customer information has been sent to the
authorities in the Swiss capital Berne.
The U.S. has been pressuring banks in Switzerland to hand over
names and financial details of individuals it suspects of dodging
taxes by hiding money in Swiss accounts.
Switzerland is trying to get the investigations dropped in
return for the payment of fines, and is also trying to negotiate a
deal to shield its banks from U.S. prosecution.
A spokesman for Julius Baer wasn't immediately available for
comment.
Write to John Revill at john.revill@dowjones.com
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