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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) |
| 01 What is Tax Planet? |
Tax Planet is a global network of legal and accounting professionals with a particular focus on national and international taxation.
See also 'Mission' and 'Expertise'.
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| 02 How is the network legally structured? |
Tax Planet is a network of independent service providers, an informal organisation without legal status and capacity. Tax Planet itself provides no services. The network parties (members, administration etc.) are self-governed contractors providing their services on an independent basis. No legal affiliation exists among them, each party is solely responsible for its own obligations and not authorized to obligate the other or the network as a whole.
Membership does not contain legally binding commitments or obligations (e.g. termination of membership is possible at any time without any cost implications).
The establishment of a legally recognized entity is anytime possible (e.g. a Swiss association according to Art 60 ff of the Swiss Civil Code).
See also 'Legal Notice'.
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| 03 What is the difference to other similar networks? |
Although legal and accounting networks exist in large numbers, most of them take a broad approach and do not specialize in any particular area of practice. Tax Planet, on the other hand, is a specialized network of a limited number of members and a pool of experts with a particular focus on national and international taxation.
This concept allows the achievement of an optimal size, strength and global coverage within a defined area of practice, and thus has a clear profile that also makes a clear difference in the market.
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| 04 Who can become a member? |
Tax Planet has member firms and a pool of experts. Member firms need to appoint professionals to the pool of experts to be a member. While member firms may be specialized in a wide range of practice areas, the pool of experts is exclusively open to professionals focusing on tax (national and international).
According to a country's size, system and international impact, the pool of experts ideally consists of
about 3 to 8 professionals per country. This is, however, not a stringent condition. Sole membership is possible for members who completely represent a country in the pool of experts.
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| 05 Are prospective members subject to a quality review? |
Firms and professionals who prove competence on the basis of a self-assessment or reliable information on the internet need not provide further information.
In case of reasonable doubt, further information may be required.
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| 06 Are there any fees? |
The start-up and development costs are covered by the initiator. Costs incurred after that time are expected to be largely covered by the members, probably with effect from January 1, 2009. However, we regard the immediate cost recovery as an issue of secondary importance. To push the development and to avoid braking forces, we are willing to cover cost overruns until a good status is achieved.
Contributions towards costs (fees) are attractively low and legally non-binding, self-assessed by each expert and limited on both sides (depending on the network-driven value between about EUR 300 and EUR 600 per expert/year).
Flat rates and non-cash contributions may be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
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| 07 What about the website's content? |
The website serves as a central presentation, information and working platform and is accordingly configured and designed. Beside other things, the site contains a comprehensive research section with mainly tax and tax-related information and links to information on countries and issues at national, supranational and international levels, discussion forums and for each professional (expert) a 'private' section with a brief profile and contact details, a page for personal publications (links, pdf-downloads etc.) and any further pages according to the expert's individual wishes and needs.
The contents in the research section, in particular the country guides, are expected to be broadly provided by the people in the countries concerned.
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| 08 Does the network have regular meetings? |
Yes, regular meetings are essential for effective networking, not only to focus on factual issues, but also to establish and foster friendships and to share emotions and feelings.
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| 09 Are there any rules on how the cooperation should be carried out? |
The members are independent contractors and thus free in the form of cooperation. Tax Planet provides no rules or guidance on how the cooperation should be carried out. There is only a small set of simple principles that help to drive the network (Code of Conduct).
However, where required and appropriate, guidance may be provided at a later date.
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| 10 Are the images on the website subject to restrictions? |
The use of images with identifiable people is restricted and subject to their approval. The majority of the other images is in the public domain worldwide and some in the research section are subject to the GNU Free Documentation Licence.
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| 11 The research section includes so-called 'deep-links', could that be a legal problem? |
According to the current trends in the international internet law, deep-linking is generally allowed and riskless for the linker, if certain restrictions like framing, by passing of barriers, advertisements on the linking page etc. are being regarded.
The research section of the website meets all these requirements. However, providers of websites who dislike the link are kindly asked to inform us, so that the link can be removed.
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| 12 Are incoming links welcome? |
Any kind of incoming links are welcome.
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Page last updated:
17-09-2008
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