Paradise Papers / Impact
ICIJ has redefined what investigative journalism looks like in the 21st century. We have repeatedly conducted journalistic collaborations so big, so visionary and so aspirational that they are unlike any others in history.
Our Offshore Leaks, Panama Papers, Paradise Papers and FinCEN Files investigations were the biggest cross-border journalism projects ever. They have shaken the establishment and led to public protests, to multiple arrests, sweeping legal reform, and official inquiries in more than 70 countries, and to the resignations of the leaders of Pakistan, Iceland and Malta after allegations of corruption.
We helped bring about the Corporate Transparency Act in the United States, hailed as the biggest anti-corruption measure since the Patriot Act of 2001. Our work has also been credited for helping bring more than 130 countries together to sign a worldwide minimum tax rate as a measure to stop giant corporations avoiding their responsibilities.
Oct 08, 2021
136 countries agree to global minimum tax for corporations in ‘historic’ OECD deal
While the OECD has trumpeted the agreement as a “major victory,” civil society groups have slammed the deal for pandering to tax havens at the expense of poorer nations.
Jul 15, 2021
Nike fails to stop EU probe on billions in alleged tax dodging
The footwear giant argued that it’s being singled out after the Paradise Papers investigation revealed its Dutch tax arrangements.
Jul 14, 2021
Global corporate tax crackdown plan moves forward, but faces key US hurdle
After a decade of exposés and scandals, leaders from more than 100 countries have agreed to a minimum tax rate for multinational companies to pay wherever they operate.
Jun 02, 2021
EU tax transparency rules leave tax justice advocates craving more ambitious reforms
The new rules will force multinational companies to report tax information for each EU country where they operate, but leave out most of their operations in the rest of the world.
Apr 03, 2021
The fight against offshore crime will be a long campaign
On the fifth anniversary of the Panama Papers’ launch, experts say there’s been progress in the fight against dirty money — but much more is needed.
Mar 10, 2021
US sanctions mining magnate accused of corruption in the Congo, reversing Trump-era move
Dan Gertler was first frozen out of the U.S. financial system in 2017 after Paradise Papers exposed how he helped secure lucrative mining rights for commodities giant Glencore.
Feb 01, 2021
ICIJ nominated for Nobel Peace Prize for combating dark money flows
ICIJ and the Global Alliance for Tax Justice among nominees that also include Committee to Protect Journalists, Russian dissident Alexei Navalny and climate activist Greta Thunberg.
Dec 11, 2020
Advocates celebrate major US anti-money laundering victory
The long-sought reforms, effectively ending anonymous shell companies, were included in an annual defense spending bill approved by both houses of Congress with veto-proof margins.
Oct 12, 2020
Notorious tax haven British Virgin Islands to introduce public register of company owners
The territory’s secrecy rules have long attracted criminals and secretive companies created there have featured in several ICIJ investigations on offshore finance.
Jul 20, 2020
European banking regulator to probe Luanda Leaks’ allegations
European lawmakers have demanded the regulator assess “whether there were breaches of either national or EU law, and to assess the actions taken by financial supervisors.”
Jun 25, 2020
EU targets tax avoidance with new committee
The EU's permanent subcommittee will likely focus on corporate tax avoidance by tech companies and multinationals tax information, but not money laundering.
May 11, 2020
‘Everyone is doing badly’, anti-money laundering czar warns
The man in charge of stopping criminals from laundering money has a scathing report of the world’s progress.
Feb 10, 2020
Paradise Papers to help recover $45m in Lithuanian bank conspiracy
Vladimir Romanov allegedly looted millions of dollars from a failed bank that will now be clawed back.
Oct 23, 2019
US poised to crack down on anonymous shell companies
The United States is one step closer to putting an end to anonymous shell companies with the Corporate Transparency Act passing the House of Representatives.
Oct 10, 2019
Cayman Signals Willingness to Abandon Corporate Secrecy – But Not Yet
One of the world’s most important tax havens said it will slowly move towards revealing the individuals behind tens of thousands of offshore companies.
Sep 20, 2019
ICIJ scrutiny inspires new EU tax crimes watchdog
European lawmakers have agreed to create a permanent subcommittee to investigate financial crimes, including money-laundering, tax avoidance and tax evasion.
Aug 14, 2019
Court Rules Leaked Documents Are Fair Game in Tax Case Against Glencore
Australia’s top court has rejected a move by one of the world’s most profitable companies to stop tax officials from using the Paradise Papers.
Jul 08, 2019
Nike’s Sweetheart Dutch Tax Deal Ignored ‘Economic Reality,’ EU Says
Europe’s competition chief has provisionally concluded that Nike paid too little tax in the Netherlands for each of the past 14 years.
Jun 17, 2019
Senators propose radical overhaul of US anti-money laundering regime
Authorities in the United States have more information about library card holders than the owners of registered companies and this bipartisan group of U.S. senators wants to change that.
Jan 10, 2019
Nike Could Owe Billions In Back Tax If New EU Probe Finds Against It
The newly-announced European investigation into suspected illegal state aid follows ICIJ’s Paradise Papers reporting, which uncovered details of Nike’s global tax strategy.
Nov 05, 2018
Tax wars, follow-up investigations and who was actually in the Paradise Papers?
We answer your questions relating to our 2017 investigation.
Aug 07, 2018
How investigative journalism exposed the Swiss tax ‘rip off’
ICIJ member Oliver Zihlmann is part of a team of investigative reporters working to bring change to one of the most important tax havens in the world.
Jun 11, 2018
Swiss authorities propose major money-laundering law reforms
Switzerland’s federal government appears poised to crack down on money laundering in the wake of Panama Papers.
Apr 23, 2018
Angolan tycoon’s frozen funds highlight KPMG’s role in offshore secrecy
Mauritian authorities have frozen 91 bank accounts linked to investor Jean-Claude Bastos, a key figure from the Paradise Papers with close connections to Angola’s former leaders.
Mar 27, 2018
British inquiry promises ‘no stone left unturned’ as it tackles tax avoidance and evasion
A parliamentary committee will put the British Virgin Islands, Isle of Man and other tax havens under the microscope as part of a new inquiry.