U.S. Makes New Request to Swiss for Information on Alleged Tax Cheats

ZURICH--U.S. tax authorities have submitted a new request for information on Credit Suisse (CS) clients suspected of dodging taxes by hiding money in secret Swiss bank accounts.

A spokesman for the Swiss Federal Tax Administration confirmed that a request for administrative assistance had been made by the fiscal authorities in the U.S. last month.

"We received a demand for administrative assistance from the U.S. authorities on July 9," said Thomas Brueckner, spokesman for the Swiss Tax Administration.

Further details of the request, including who and which institutions it concerned, were confidential, Mr. Brueckner said.

"How far we have proceeded we cannot say at the moment," he said.

Eleven Swiss banks including Credit Suisse and Julius Baer Holding AG (BAER.VX) are under investigation in the U.S. for allegedly helping its citizens to avoid tax.

"We can confirm that this requests Credit Suisse clients," said Credit Suisse spokesman Marc Dosch.

Swiss newspaper Neue Zuercher Zeitung Friday reported that around 100 American clients had received letters that they would be affected.

The paper said customer information has been sent to the authorities in the Swiss capital Berne.

The U.S. has been pressuring banks in Switzerland to hand over names and financial details of individuals it suspects of dodging taxes by hiding money in Swiss accounts.

Switzerland is trying to get the investigations dropped in return for the payment of fines, and is also trying to negotiate a deal to shield its banks from U.S. prosecution.

A spokesman for Julius Baer wasn't immediately available for comment.

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