Tax Evasion, Money Laundering and Tax Transparency in the EU Overseas Countries and Territories : Ex-Post Impact Assessment

This study aims to present the legal, political and institutional framework governing offshore practices in the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) of the European Union, which fall under the sovereignty of four Member States: Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. It contains an opening analysis that defines the key concepts, including tax evasion, money laundering and tax transparency; outlines the scope of the study (to differentiate the OCTs from other places often mentioned within the context of offshore financial services); and briefly describes the particular case of Greenland. In addition, a comparative analysis of the legal, political and institutional framework governing EU relations with and within the respective OCTs is complemented by an overview of the EU framework and opportunities for action. This aspect can be of significance, especially in view of the UK's announced withdrawal from the European Union. The detailed annexed contributions covering the OCTs under French, Dutch and British rule, and which constitute a basis for this analysis, were written by external experts