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Swiss bank secrecy is not lifted for tax evasion, even upon the request of a foreign government.

The failure to report or underestimation of income or assets on a tax return are not considered a crime in Switzerland.

The Swiss are unique in that they attach greater importance to the respect of private life than they do to taxation. Banks do not have the right to inform the Swiss tax authorities. They have even less right to inform foreign tax authorities.

As Switzerland does not consider tax evasion to be a crime, it does not comply with any requests for judicial cooperation (also known as mutual assistance) from other governments.

A clear distinction must be made between tax evasion and tax fraud. Tax fraud (falsified documents, sharp practice) is considered a crime in Switzerland as well. In this case, bank secrecy can be lifted by a judge with jurisdiction and judicial cooperation can be granted.

Other pages of interest:

Origins of the Swiss specificity with regard to tax evasion International cooperation procedures regarding tax evasion