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Showing posts from May, 2012

I could be moved.

I read an article this morning that one of the co-founders of facebook, Eduardo Saverin, has renounced his U.S. citizenship presumably to lower his tax obligations.  It was interesting, and even a bit painful, to read comments on this.  People calling him a traitor and for his wealth to be confiscated ex post facto.  While I wouldn’t have done it myself if I were in his shoes, I can certainly understand and I don’t begrudge him of his decision. Unlike most countries in the world, the United States taxes its citizens that live abroad.  Take for example, John T. Citizen.  If Mr. Citizen were to move to the United Kingdom, he would pay the UK’s income tax plus the US’s income tax.  To give the American government some credit, they do allow a certain amount of income to be credited (up to $90 something thousand) but that is chump change to people like Mr. Saverin.  So if you’re a high end earner paying one country say, 40% and then the US another 35%, I can see why you’d want to consi