> So what is the IoM status? Is it a separate country?
No. The IoM isn't a sovereign state, although it has it's own legislative branch.
>Wikipedia says its a Crown dependency - how is that different than being part of the UK?
They don't have representation in the UK, other than the Lieutenant Governor. They have their own passports, currency and taxes. The UK can pass laws that affect the Crown Deps but they generally don't do so without consent.
>I would love to hear more -- because how can IoM avoid Jersey's fate?
IoM has diversified it's sketchy revenue creating beyond tax evasion and avoidance of UK banks by also issuing becoming a haven for the UK/Ireland gambling industry.
It's similar to somewhere like American Samoa wrt to the USA.
Crown dependancies are self governing, though the UK has ultimate responsibility and control. The UK usually leads in defence and diplomacy. The extent of UK involvement and precise details vary from dependency to dependency.
No. The IoM isn't a sovereign state, although it has it's own legislative branch.
>Wikipedia says its a Crown dependency - how is that different than being part of the UK?
They don't have representation in the UK, other than the Lieutenant Governor. They have their own passports, currency and taxes. The UK can pass laws that affect the Crown Deps but they generally don't do so without consent.
>I would love to hear more -- because how can IoM avoid Jersey's fate?
IoM has diversified it's sketchy revenue creating beyond tax evasion and avoidance of UK banks by also issuing becoming a haven for the UK/Ireland gambling industry.