TaxCast Norway (Pengeland in English)

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Apr 2026

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Tax havens, financial secrecy, and other murky business, with hosts Jonas Veland and Ingrid Hjertaker. Interviews and content in English, originally published in the Norwegian podcast "Pengeland", made available for an international audience. Production and music by Kristoffer Lislegaard for Tax Justice Norway.

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18 recent

June 16, 202642 min

Is the informal sector a tax goldmine? w/ Vanessa van den Boogaard

In low-income countries, large parts of the economy are characterized by informality, and low tax coverage. Governments and international development partners have long viewed the informal sector as an untapped goldmine for boosting national tax revenues. However, recent research suggests that this revenue potential may be overestimated.In this episode, we talk to Vanessa van den Boogaard from the International Center for Tax and Development (ICTD). We discuss why measures to tax the informal sector often fail, and where it actually pays to direct these efforts instead.Hosts: Jonas Veland, Kaja GuttormsgaardAudio, video, and music: Kristoffer Lislegaard

April 20, 202659 min

A New Start for Bangladesh? w/ Abdul Quddus

Two years ago, the regime in Bangladesh collapsed after 15 years of widespread corruption and authoritarian rule.In the wake of the revolution, an expert committee conducted an in-depth analysis, revealing the mechanisms of corruption and abuse of power within the fallen regime. Based on these findings, the committee proposed constitutional amendments.In 2026, the first elections since the revolution were held. Will this be the year Bangladesh gets a fresh start?In this episode, we talk with South Asia expert Abdul Quddus from the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. He discusses the political landscape in Bangladesh, corruption, and the way forward following the world's first Gen Z-led revolution.Hosts: Jonas Veland, Kaja GuttormsgaardAudio, video, and music: Kristoffer Lislegaard

December 15, 202551 min

Who Profits from Nature? w/ Mark Burnett

Many resource-rich countries lose critical revenue because these resources are not managed well enough. The extractive industries are characterized by extensive corruption risks and aggressive tax planning.In this episode we are joined by Mark Burnett, EITI's Regional Director for Europe. The EITI – or Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative – is an international organization working for greater transparency in the extractive industries. We discuss EITI's history, the international standard for transparency, and the value of broad collaboration between authorities, industry, and civil society in the countries where they operate.We also discuss Norway; while there is a tradition of high transparency regarding oil and gas extraction here, will we be able to maintain this standard as mining operations expand?

December 15, 202550 min

Taxation and Trust in Fragile States w/ Viljar Haavik & Gayatri Sahgal

We often think of tax as an exchange with the state – money in return for services and security. But what happens if this "social contract" is absent? In the world’s most fragile states, authorities often lack the ability to collect taxes and the capacity to provide basic services.In this episode we look at taxation as a way to understand the relationship between the state and the population. We speak with researchers Viljar Haavik from NUPI (Norwegian Institute of International Affairs) and Gayatri Sahgal from the Chr. Michelsen Institute. Both have conducted extensive research on taxation in fragile states and share their insights on how the social contract looks different in countries like Somalia and Liberia.

June 4, 202534 min

Russia: War and Corruption w/ Alyona Vadysheva

How does corruption work in Russia? And can an understanding of corruption help us make sense of the war in Ukraine and how it is being conducted?In this episode, we are joined by Alyona Vadysheva, head of Transparency International Russia. Both civil society and the press working for transparency and against corruption in Russia have long been under significant pressure. After the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Transparency International Russia was banned, and Vadysheva now works from exile. We talk to her about war, corruption, and what it’s like to work in civil society in a country like Russia.Hosts: Jonas Veland and Kaja GuttormsgaardSound, video, and music: Kristoffer Lislegaard

February 28, 202527 min

The Super-Rich w/ Gabriel Zucman

The world's wealthiest people pay very little tax. The oligarchization of the United States illustrates how the massive wealth growth of the richest individuals translates into political influence that undermines democracy. What do the incomes and fortunes of the super-rich look like, why are we unable to tax them effectively, and how can we solve this issue?These questions are central to this episode of Pengeland, where we are joined by a true superstar in the world of taxation. Gabriel Zucman, an economics professor affiliated with the Paris School of Economics and the University of California, is also the director of the EU Tax Observatory. Over the past year, he has gained significant attention for his proposal on taxing the super-rich: a global minimum tax of two percent on their wealth.Hosts: Jonas Veland and Kaja GuttormsgaardAudio, video and music: Kristoffer Lislegaard

January 20, 202555 min

Trump: Global Taxation, Transparency, and Corruption w/ Zorka Milin

The U.S. gains a new old president. How will this impact the global tax regime, the fight against hidden ownership, and, not least, trust in institutions and democracy?We discuss what the Trump administration did regarding taxation and transparency during its first term and how these issues have evolved since. Looking ahead, we explore what the tax landscape might look like under Trump 2.0.Joining us is Zorka Milin from FACT Coalition—an American umbrella organization advocating for tax justice and transparency. Zorka guides us through U.S. economic policies from 2017 to 2029 and delivers some thought-provoking insights. Not everything is as bleak as one might think!Hosts: Jonas Veland and Kaja GuttormsgaardAudio, video and music: Kristoffer Lislegaard

October 15, 202446 min

How to stop tax avoidance w/ Jason Ward

Every year, the world loses 311 billion dollars to tax avoidance by large corporations. Australia has taken steps to address this issue, and now we hope Norway will follow suit!Tax avoidance and the use of tax havens have never been higher. However, we still have no way of seeing whether individual companies are paying sufficient taxes in the countries where they operate economically. This makes it difficult to tackle the problem.Behind the somewhat technical term "country-by-country reporting" lies an idea that could fundamentally change the international tax system. By demanding greater transparency, we can pave the way for a better method of taxing large corporations. This is currently being worked on in Australia.In this episode of Pengeland, we are joined by Jason Ward, the chief analyst at the organization CICTAR. He has been a leading figure in the effort to promote greater transparency in corporate tax payments in Australia. We talk with him about tax avoidance as a global issue, the work that has been done in Australia, and how Norway can follow suitHosts: Jonas Veland and Kaja GuttormsgaardGuest: Jason WardAudio, video, and music: Kristoffer Lislegaard

April 26, 202423 min

Extreme poverty and economic growth w/ Olivier de Schutter

Can we combat poverty without economic growth?In this episode, we talk with Olivier de Schutter, the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights. His latest report addresses this very issue. How can we continue to fund education, health, and welfare while considering the planet's limitations? And what role will taxes and tax system reforms play in a growth-free future?Hosts: Jonas Veland and Kaja GuttormsgaardSound, video, and music: Kristoffer Lislegaard

April 14, 202430 min

Tax Justice w/ Alex Cobham

Alex Cobham was in Oslo in December to discuss his latest book "What Do We Know and What Should We Do About Tax Justice?". Together with Cobham, we explore the history and possibilities of tax justice. We delve into the development and influence of the tax justice movement in connection with the Tax Justice Network's 20th anniversary. How has this movement shaped today's tax systems and transparency measures? And most importantly, what can we learn from the past to create a fairer and more sustainable economic policy for the future?This episode provides a unique insight into the complex world of tax justice, seen through the eyes of one of the leading experts in the field. You can expect an insightful conversation that not only sheds light on the challenges but also the opportunities that lie ahead in the fight for a more equitable economy.Hosts: Jonas Veland and Ingrid HjertakerSound, video, and music: Kristoffer Lislegaard

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