The Super Rich Dodge Taxes Around The World

I've just watched a segment on BBC that didn't shock me but did remind me that there are those that are well above government whose names don't get broadcast over the news and will never be published. After watching this segment on BBC and hearing their expert say in his own words that the real super rich aren't tied down by companies to any one country and can hop around the globe dodging taxes, I can't find it in myself to have faith that the world's financial situation is going to get any better for the common person. They even say that these people are above government so my question is how could these people ever be held to law? Does there need to be a global policy to collect and would that constitute a global government which is something that most of us (at least here on ATS) don't want?

An agreed global policy doesn't equal a global government. There have been some attempts at clamping down on tax havens, which would reduce money laundering and encourage corporations to register companies in their home countries, rather than on some offshore island.

However, these efforts are mostly blocked by nation states claiming one excuse or another. The real reason is that these governments are mostly controlled by global corporations.

So I'd say this argument about sovereignty and potential world government is a diversion - a means to stop change which would benefit ordinary people around the world, rather than corporations and government.

reply to post by freethinker123

I understand what you are saying but I'm not talking about tax havens. From what I understood of the segment, these people actually move from country to country where monetary policies are more favorable exploiting any and all loopholes. Since they have no real allegiance to any one country, there seems to be no real law to govern them. Look at some of the prices on the real estate, 212 euro for a flat downtown? These people can just pack up their private jet and go if they pleased with no consequence.

I mentioned tax havens because that is how we can do something about it.. And the solution is as stated - global agreements to make laws to prevent individuals / corporations from avoiding their obligations

It doesn't make any difference whether they have allegiance to a country or not, they are still bound by laws. And you can't stop people from moving around and spending their money where they want, nor should we try.

reply to post by Infra_red


'I can't find it in myself to have faith that the world's financial situation is going to get any better for the common person'

You see the basic error in this statement is that you THINK your a 'person' !
Look up the meaning of 'person' in Black's Law 3 (if memory serves me)
and your statement should have read....

'I can't find it in myself to have faith that the world's financial situation is going to get any better for the common man'

Peace

You see it as scofflaws trying to avoid taxes. They see it as avoiding the government grifters. The simple truth is that it's their money. The government is just a sponge. And if I had that amount of money I would be doing as much legal tax evading as possible. Spend a million to save a billion. Sounds like a bargain to me. And consider some tax evasion if it couldn't be detected.

What's so virtuous about paying taxes?

Taxation is not the only legal loophole limbo that corporations enjoy as there are many other liability and exploitation issues around. 'Legal Shopping' is the term that describes the process where corporations search and lobby for favourable and profitable laws amongst a diverse regulation environment around the world.

I can understand the fear in all the NWO talk as it is a complex issue and without information fear is a very common reaction. But it does look like a game is getting played...

The UN has no capacity or interest of directly getting involved in the issues of an individual. It is more concerned about national relationships, issues, governance and oversight. With a big NWO fear campaign it is distracting support and resources from a more cohesive system, a system that would bring these lawless global entities to account. Instead we are left with these lawless entities pulling the strings.

I do not blame the UN as it is still maturing and has had a lot of other issues to contend with, but the time is nearing where either these corporations are challenging nation power with their resources and capability, but are not subject to as many national oversights. Every day is a new world, instead of denying tomorrow how about just doing what we can to make the most of it?

What is shocking to me is how many people are crying about more government control in our lives yet at the same time they want the government to take the money of others so that the government can fix all their problems. The republicans use things like the patriot act to declare war on its own people while the democrats do it with the IRS.

Originally posted by ntechWhat's so virtuous about paying taxes?

Paying taxes is what supports rule of law and if you don't care for it then you must be on the side of a Mad Max scenario. Some tax has to be collected in order for utilities to run, public servants to be paid, public construction to be maintained, etc. Now you can have all the money in the world but without taxes to pay a public servant, who will stop the fire at your neighbor's house from burning yours down as well? Or, what about the armed gangs who see that you have way more than everyone else and decide that they want all of what you have?
All I'm saying is that everyone needs to pay their fair share if they like benefiting from the services that taxes pay for. Those super rich use public servants every time they get in their private jets to avoid paying taxes because the FAA or whatever administration presides over flight safety where they left from made sure it was safe.