THE Swiss system is undergoing a change to fine-tune its criminal law, particularly in relation to tax evasion. At present, requests for banking info may be sought during criminal tax procedures for indirect taxes but not for direct taxes. But once the Federal Council's Bill is passed, it would enable the cantonal tax authorities to access such information in future.

Switzerland has got flak for a long time for its strage treatment to tax evasion and tax fraud. Now, the Federal Council intends to unify the elements constituting an infraction. Consequently, tax fraud is to be redefined as a qualified form of tax evasion which will ensure that a double fine is not incurred for one or other infraction. In order to comply with the latest Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations, the bill provides that a serious tax offence is a crime, believed to be a predicate for money laundering.