Project Wickenby research

Project Wickenby agencies use a range of measures to monitor progress.

A research program has been devised to increase understanding of:

• general community attitudes and perceptions relating to arrangements that involve abuse of tax havens
• the influencers on the community - such as accountants, tax agents, tax and criminal lawyers, financial advisers, business advisers and managers - that potentially promote or encourage people to enter into such arrangements.

The results of the research are an important measure for Wickenby agencies in:

• measuring the communities awareness and understanding
• improving our understanding of tax minimisation, evasion and avoidance
• developing more targeted strategies to combat tax evasion and avoidance.

To date the following qualitative and quantitative research has been conducted.

Qualitative research

In the initial qualitative research we sought a better understanding of:

• attitudes towards tax arrangements promoted by offshore providers
• the way people make decisions relating to tax evasion and avoidance - the process, the influences and influencers.

The research - conducted during March and April 2007, with respondents from the general community and intermediaries - subsequently informed the design of the quantitative research.

Quantitative research

The quantitative research followed the qualitative research and measured the extent to which attitudes and perceptions were held by the general community.

Results

Most of the research has been finalised and the following reports and presentations are available:

• Qualitative research report
• Qualitative research presentation
• General community quantitative research report
• General community quantitative research presentation