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Meme? Say you're rich today. You had the opportunity when you were 18 and an adult to move country and live somewhere with a regressive tax regime. You didn't

Meme? Say you're rich today. You had the opportunity when you were 18 and an adult to move country and live somewhere with a regressive tax regime. You didn't, because those countries suck, don't start moaning about it now you're earning good money. Now you're rich and you're cheating the system because you don't like paying your fair share. Your fair share is a percentage. Without the percentage based tax system we can't afford to be a great country for businesses. You want to move to a regressive tax regime because you've got all the benefits already, but can't because the electorate don't agree so you're now "avoiding" tax. Or maybe even Daddy/Mummy made all the money and you want a free ride. That's simply you trying to have your cake and eat it. You've already benefited from a progressive tax regime where the rich pay more because they can afford to. Previous generations paid for your opportunity to make it big. Paid for gangsters not to turn up and take over your business. Paid for no corrupt politician throwing you in jail and stealing your business. Paid for the roads and postal system and educating your employees and giving you the courts to pursue late payers. It paid for the opportunity you or your Daddy/Mummy had. But somehow we should change the rules for you? But, on average, within 2 or 3 generations your family will be middle class again. They won't agree with your temporary stance. Your own descendants will, in all probability, be against your stance. It's not that it's "WRONG", it's that you want the best of both worlds, a fantastic country protecting you and nurturing you to do business in, and paying a small amount of taxes.

charlesdm 9y ago
Sorry, but this is bullshit. You're only cheating the system if you don't pay what the law says you own. If you find a loophole, you will pay less, fine (and congrats) -- there are plenty. Now fix it so the next guy can't use it. Blame the politicians for making low quality laws. Seriously, the legislative work of so many politicians is shoddy at best, it is ridiculous. Tax avoidance requires nothing more than creative thinking and an understanding of the law. Any decent engineer here on HN could easily understand and find ways to avoid the law legally, and pay less taxes (for themselves or for clients), if that is what what they want to do with their lives. Tax law is surprisingly similar to software engineering. It might make me an asshole, but I would happily move to a low tax country and not pay any tax when I have the opportunity to book a massive gain. Hello Monaco? And that is how many people feel, because once you're past a certain point, you just don't get sufficient value back from the system. As an example: if I make €1m, I would happily give back 100-200k to society. What I am unwilling to do however, is part with €400 or 500k. So one will try to find a way to bring down that tax bill. Life would be much better if all taxes would be reasonable -- as someone with wealthy friends, tax avoidance is a waste of effort and time, but necessary. You act as if it's a divine right to be able to live in country X. It's not. Wealthy people will frequently and happily move if it makes sense to do so. And many developed countries will give them tax incentives to move! Find other ways to incentivize them to stay in a specific country. Taxes aren't everything, but push someone past a certain point, and they will look for alternatives.

charlesdm 9y ago

Sorry, but this is bullshit. You're only cheating the system if you don't pay what the law says you own. If you find a loophole, you will pay less, fine (and congrats) -- there are plenty. Now fix it so the next guy can't use it. Blame the politicians for making low quality laws. Seriously, the legislative work of so many politicians is shoddy at best, it is ridiculous. Tax avoidance requires nothing more than creative thinking and an understanding of the law. Any decent engineer here on HN could easily understand and find ways to avoid the law legally, and pay less taxes (for themselves or for clients), if that is what what they want to do with their lives. Tax law is surprisingly similar to software engineering. It might make me an asshole, but I would happily move to a low tax country and not pay any tax when I have the opportunity to book a massive gain. Hello Monaco? And that is how many people feel, because once you're past a certain point, you just don't get sufficient value back from the system. As an example: if I make €1m, I would happily give back 100-200k to society. What I am unwilling to do however, is part with €400 or 500k. So one will try to find a way to bring down that tax bill. Life would be much better if all taxes would be reasonable -- as someone with wealthy friends, tax avoidance is a waste of effort and time, but necessary. You act as if it's a divine right to be able to live in country X. It's not. Wealthy people will frequently and happily move if it makes sense to do so. And many developed countries will give them tax incentives to move! Find other ways to incentivize them to stay in a specific country. Taxes aren't everything, but push someone past a certain point, and they will look for alternatives.