EXCLUSIVE: Rudolf Elmer explains why he blew the whistle on Julius Bär’s secret evasion activities

Salman Shaheen

January 31 2012

Rudolf Elmer’s name hit the international headlines when he was exposed as the whistle-blower on the activities of his former employer, Swiss bank Julius Bär, in the Cayman Islands, handing over the names of 2,000 tax evaders to WikiLeaks. The episode was one of a number that focused attention on tax havens. In an exclusive interview, Elmer explains why he did it, what the impact has been on the world and his life and why he is the one being treated as a criminal.

Unlock this content.

The content you are trying to view is exclusive to our subscribers.

To unlock this content:

Take a Free Trial or Login

Topics

Salman Shaheen

Salman Shaheen worked at ITR between 2010 and 2017

more across site & shared bottom lb ros

More from across our site

Direct Tax

Why Belgium’s exit tax rules could come under fire in the courts

Belgium’s new coalition government has gone ahead with a new exit tax regime that could land it in the courts.

Ralph Cunningham, July 30 2025

Direct Tax

Proposed Brazil digital services tax would likely hit consumers, experts suggest

Brazil’s government has not officially framed the bill as a countermeasure amid trade tensions with the US, but the move is being considered as part of Brazil’s strategic response, one expert tells ITR

Sam Sholli, July 30 2025

Direct Tax

Income tax considerations for foreigners forming charitable foundations in India

Understanding India’s income tax landscape can help charities ensure compliance, optimise tax benefits, and enhance their impact, writes Raghav Bajaj of Khaitan & Co

Raghav Bajaj , July 29 2025

Indirect Tax

‘Brazil is not for amateurs’: Brazilian advisers praised for robust client service

Tax advisers in Brazil are rising above the country’s notoriously complex tax system to deliver high-quality advisory services, ITR’s exclusive in-house data reveals

Tom Baker, July 28 2025

Direct Tax

Holland & Knight tops the hiring charts again: ITR’s half-year Talent Tracker data

ITR’s data has highlighted the US firm’s ambition to become America’s ‘premier’ tax player via a concerted partner recruitment strategy

Tom Baker, July 25 2025

Direct Tax

This week in tax: A&M Tax launches Indonesia practice with ex-KPMG managing director

Jaap Zwaan’s arrival continues a recent streak of A&M Tax investing in the region; in other news, the US and Japan struck a deal that significantly lowered tariff rates

Tom Baker, July 25 2025

Transfer Pricing

Who gets taxed when no one’s there? AI, presence, and profit allocation

In a world where international tax concepts rely on human activity, Leonard Wagenaar poses existential questions about the future of such ideas when AI is ever-present

Leonard Wagenaar, July 24 2025

Transfer Pricing

French TP case highlights transaction scrutiny trend: experts

France v Axa provides a practical illustration of how the burden of proof is applied in TP matters under French law, ITR also heard

Sam Sholli, July 24 2025

Direct Tax

Washington DC Capitol view on cloudy sky background

US corporate investors back PCbCR despite government snub: FACT director

In an exclusive interview with ITR, Ian Gary calls for a central public CbCR database and bemoans the US’s lack of involvement in international tax transparency

Tom Baker, July 23 2025

Direct Tax

Kirkland, Slaughter and May tax teams enlisted for $4.8bn Reckitt deal

Reckitt Benckiser is to divest its Essential Home business, which includes more than 70 brands, to private equity firm Advent International

Tom Baker, July 21 2025