Ex-Samsung chairman found guilty of tax dodging

Former Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee, who left the company in April after 21 years, has been found guilty of tax evasion. He's been cleared of a charge of breach of trust, which threatened a jail term, and has been given a three year suspended prison sentence and a fine of £55 million. [Source: ManagementToday.co.uk]

Vodafone wins £2 billion tax case

Vodafone has defeated HM Revenue & Customs over a £2 billion tax claim. HMRC had wanted to impose UK tax on Vodafone's Luxembourg subsidiary, which was set up in 2000 when Vodafone took over Mannessman in Germany. Last week the High Court said the UK's tax laws were incompatible with European law in this instance and told HMRC to close its inquiry. HMRC says it'll appeal. [Sources: TimesOnline.co.uk; FT.com]

Vodafone's Indian court case postponed

Vodafone's challenge to its $2 billion tax bill at the Bombay High Court has been postponed until 23rd June 2008. Vodafone pointed out that the relevant section of Indian law was currently being amended, with the changes applying retrospectively. The case has now been deferred until after the law is changed, giving Vodafone time to file an amended petition. [Source: Business-Standard.com]

Vodafone goes to court in India over $2 billion tax bill

Vodafone is going to be at the Mumbai High Court this week, opposing a case by the Indian tax authorities that says the company is liable for around $2 billion in taxes following its acquisition of the Hutchison Essar network last year. Vodafone says it isn't liable to pay capital gains tax on behalf of Hutchison because the transaction didn't involve any Indian businesses. It says the deal took place between a Dutch-owned Vodafone company and a Cayman Island-based organisation owned by Hutchison. [Source: FT.com]