Tax Evasion

The Firm is committed to preventing the facilitation of tax evasion. Tax evasion is the dishonest or fraudulent non-payment of taxes that are legally due. This differs from legitimate tax planning or tax mitigation. Lawyers should remain alert to instructions intended to conceal income, assets, beneficial ownership or taxable events, or that otherwise appear designed to evade tax obligations.

The proceeds of tax evasion can constitute criminal property. Firms and individuals may also commit separate offences by facilitating the fraudulent evasion of tax. Keystone maintains specific controls and policies designed to prevent the facilitation of tax evasion.

You should:

• understand the commercial purpose of proposed arrangements;
• remain alert to structures intended principally to conceal income, ownership or taxable events;
• challenge artificial explanations where appropriate; and
• escalate concerns before proceeding.

Where concerns arise, guidance should be sought in accordance with the Prevention of Facilitation of Policy.