Switzerland and UK seal initial tax agreement

UK residents with funds held in Swiss bank accounts will be open to inspection from UK tax authorities, in an agreement that could net the UK government up to £5bn

Swiss and UK negotiators on Wednesday said they had concluded negotiations on outstanding tax issues between the two countries and agreed in principle on taxing funds held by Britons in Swiss bank accounts.

The deal, similar to the one agreed between Switzerland and Germany earlier this month, is likely to come into force at the start of 2013.

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