Swiss banks were hoping that their officials would aid them in navigating new territory with the U.S. Justice Department as they seek non-prosecution agreements in exchange for client information. This Voluntary Disclosure program would offer protection for the bank from legal action if all requirements are met. But the Swiss officials has been clear to Swiss banks - Swiss banks are on their own if they want to participate in the program or stand on their own to face legal action from the U.S. government.

1. Freeman Tax Law
(855)935-5945
Swiss Banks To Sink
Or Swim?

2. No Helping Hand From The
Government
Freeman Tax Law  (855) 935-5945  info@freemantaxlaw.com  www.freemantaxlaw.com
Swiss banks were hoping that their officials
would aid them in navigating new territory
with the U.S. Justice Department as they
seek non-prosecution agreements in
exchange for client information. This
Voluntary Disclosure program would offer
protection for the bank from legal action if
all requirements are met. But the Swiss
officials has been clear to Swiss banks -
Swiss banks are on their own if they want to
participate in the program or stand on their
own to face legal action from the U.S.
government.

3. Swiss Banks Reputation
Freeman Tax Law  (855) 935-5945  info@freemantaxlaw.com  www.freemantaxlaw.com
The reputation of Swiss banks has been
severely tarnished in the past several years,
especially after the government bailout of UBS
AG, the largest bank in Switzerland. Following a
brutal series of U.S. criminal investigations and
indictments for aiding in tax evasion, the once
touted secrecy of Swiss Banks has been
shattered.

4. What Have The Banks Been Asked
To Provide?
Freeman Tax Law  (855) 935-5945  info@freemantaxlaw.com  www.freemantaxlaw.com
The U.S. Justice Department program requires
that banks that choose to participate, must
hand over data on hidden American accounts
and in exchange they will receive a non-
prosecution agreements. A draft of the non-
prosecution agreement sent out by the Justice
Department states that banks would also be
required to open their books to other foreign
authorities probing hidden accounts.

5. Freeman Tax Law  (855) 935-5945  info@freemantaxlaw.com  www.freemantaxlaw.com
Which Foreign Authorities?
You guess is as good as ours. This
vagueness may be part of the
reason why the Swiss Government
is allowing the Swiss banks to
determine their own path. Maybe
they aren't leaving them to sink,
but giving them the opportunity to
prove if they can swim.

6. Freeman Tax Law  (855) 935-5945  info@freemantaxlaw.com  www.freemantaxlaw.com
Waves Around The World
The recent push from the U.S. government to
gather information about U.S. account holders
hiding money in off-shore accounts has caused
waves around the world. Switzerland has been hit
hard, but Americans are feeling the pains as well.
With the U.S. Justice Department looking to reach
further into the Swiss Bank books, Americans with
unpaid taxes on foreign accounts should rush to
come forward. As hard as they are pushing with
the banks, one can be sure that they have a plan
of attack with the client information they so
desperately seek.

7. International
Locations:
Basel, Switzerland
Bern, Switzerland
Geneva, Switzerland
Zurich, Swizterland
Atlanta, Georgia
Austin, Texas
Birmingham, Michigan
Boston, Massachusetts
Charlotte, North Carolina
Chicago, Illinois
Cleveland, Ohio
Dallas, Texas
Denver, Colorado
Greenwich, Connecticut
Houston, Texas
Irvine, California
Las Vegas, Nevada
Los Angeles, California
Miami, Florida
New York, New York
Palo Alto, California
Phoenix, Arizona
Pleasanton, California
San Antonio, Texas
San Diego, California
San Francisco, California
San Jose, California
Short Hills, New Jersey
Tampa, Florida
Washington DC
Freeman Tax Law  (855) 935-5945  info@freemantaxlaw.com  www.freemantaxlaw.com
Our Locations

8. Freeman Tax Law
About Freeman Tax Law
Freeman Tax Law  (855) 935-5945  info@freemantaxlaw.com  www.freemantaxlaw.com
Freeman Tax Law is a boutique tax law firm with national
exposure equipped to handle all domestic and international tax
law matters. At Freeman Tax Law, the attorneys and
professional staff have vast experience with foreign tax
compliance, international tax planning, and resolving tax
controversies involving offshore banking matters. Freeman Tax
Law helps taxpayers and foreign entities become in compliance
with laws such as Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
(FATCA) and Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP).
In addition to handling complex tax controversies, the Freeman
Tax Law team has extensive expertise in assisting clients with
wealth management and estate planning.