U.S., Swiss Ask for Delay in UBS Tax Case

Curt Anderson, AP Business Affairs Writer

The U.S. and Swiss governments and banking giant UBS(UBS Quote) indicated Sunday they were seeking a settlement and asked a federal judge to delay high-stakes hearings on the Internal Revenue Service's effort to identify thousands of suspected American tax evaders.

The one-page motion, filed in Miami less than 24 hours before the hearings were to begin Monday, said postponement is needed "to allow the two governments to continue their discussions seeking a resolution of this matter."

Unless a deal is reached beforehand, the filing asks that the hearing be rescheduled for Aug. 3.

U.S. District Judge Alan S. Gold did not immediately rule on the request, but judges routinely allow parties in civil cases extra time to settle out of court. Such a deal would likely include a large penalty against UBS and possibly require the bank to reveal at least some names, tax experts say. ...