Iceland is to introduce a hefty 39 per cent exit tax on assets from
its failed banks starting next April as part of moves to lift capital
controls imposed after the tiny island nation's economy collapsed seven
years ago.
Following a vote in Parliament, the government said Monday it will impose the tax as part of the lifting of the capital controls. The hope is that the end of the controls won't prompt a mass exodus of money from the country if the cost of doing so is prohibitive.
The moves announced Monday are designed to free up about 1,200 billion kronur ($9 billion) in assets have faced restrictions since the 2008 financial crisis, when Iceland went from economic powerhouse to financial disaster almost overnight.
The government said the so-called "stability tax" could raise as much as 850 billion kronur.
Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson said the government was taking "unprecedented measures ... to address unprecedented circumstances."
In 2008, the small North Atlantic nation with a population of 330,000, became one of the biggest casualties of the global financial crisis when its debt-burdened commercial banks collapsed under the strain of the worldwide credit squeeze. The value of the krona currency plummeted and Iceland was forced to seek a bailout from Europe and the International Monetary Fund.
Read more: Iceland slaps 39% tax on withdrawing money outside the country - Business - CBC News
Following a vote in Parliament, the government said Monday it will impose the tax as part of the lifting of the capital controls. The hope is that the end of the controls won't prompt a mass exodus of money from the country if the cost of doing so is prohibitive.
The moves announced Monday are designed to free up about 1,200 billion kronur ($9 billion) in assets have faced restrictions since the 2008 financial crisis, when Iceland went from economic powerhouse to financial disaster almost overnight.
The government said the so-called "stability tax" could raise as much as 850 billion kronur.
Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson said the government was taking "unprecedented measures ... to address unprecedented circumstances."
In 2008, the small North Atlantic nation with a population of 330,000, became one of the biggest casualties of the global financial crisis when its debt-burdened commercial banks collapsed under the strain of the worldwide credit squeeze. The value of the krona currency plummeted and Iceland was forced to seek a bailout from Europe and the International Monetary Fund.
Read more: Iceland slaps 39% tax on withdrawing money outside the country - Business - CBC News
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