Congress has begun its year-end sprint, and the debate over rising taxes is as hot as ever.
Crucial to President Biden’s $3.5 trillion agenda is a wide range of tax penalties targeting the wealthy, broadly defined as households with incomes over $400,000 (“the usual targets”). Democrats claim the only targets are wealthy Americans, who face higher rates and closed loopholes. For example, the Biden administration’s “American Families Plan” would raise the top marginal income tax rate from 37 percent to 39.6 percent. While this particular tax hike may now be in limbo, politicians have plenty more tricks up their collective sleeve.
But Congress must tread carefully. While the “tax the rich” mantra appeals to people who believe in an expanded social safety net, the reality would bring unforeseen consequences. In theory, taxing the rich means forcing them to fund more government programs. But, in truth, tax hikes on the wealthy force them to weigh their options and look overseas to store their wealth—that is, look outside the United States.
It’s already happening. And while the mainstream media portrays “offshore” as sketchy, it’s perfectly legal when done properly. The recent “Pandora Papers” investigation revealed more than 200 U.S.-based trusts linked to over 40 countries. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Swiss banks saw 40 percent increases in profit and billions of dollars in new money.
I know firsthand: As the founder of Nomad Capitalist, an international offshore consulting firm, I work with high-net-worth individuals who seek out residencies and citizenships abroad. In recent months, we have seen a 300 percent increase in Americans seeking second passports and a “Plan B” from rising taxes and chaos.
Why? Because the federal, state, and local government continues to levy larger and larger tax bills against them.Wealthy Americans, no matter how patriotic, want to live where they are treated best; they want to live where they are no longer viewed as milk-cows for politicians to score political points.
That won’t change, and it should be a warning sign for U.S. policymakers. Unfortunately, many policy proposals treat wealthy Americans like they have no choice but to live in a more adverse tax climate and keep their wealth in the United States. President Biden, for instance, has pitched more than $3 trillion in new taxes over the next decade, with little to no regard for the downstream effects.
How does that incentivize the “one percent” to stay here? If they can move, why wouldn’t they save the money? It’s a safe bet that you or I would too.
Saddled with inflation and unemployment, the U.S. economy cannot afford to lose the “one percent,” however unpopular its members have become. Many of them are entrepreneurs who started their own business ventures and hired others to see them grow. Many are small business owners, who account for two-thirds of new jobs created on American soil. Risk losing them, and you risk the financial security of countless employees and job-seekers who depend on entrepreneurship to make a living.
In today’s world, the top priority of U.S. tax policy is to make the case for America. The question isn’t, “How do we extract more money from them?” It should be, “How do we keep them here?”
Of course, all Americans should pay their fair share. But not all Americans contribute to society to the same extent either. We cannot underestimate the power of entrepreneurs like Jeff Bezos. Without him, Amazon would not be hiring 150,000 workers for the holidays. We want people like Bezos to continue being here—starting companies and creating jobs at home. They need Americans to work and we need them to be entrepreneurial.
But entrepreneurs need to be treated best here. Otherwise, they will invest their money “there.”
Andrew Henderson is the founder of Nomad Capitalist, an international offshore consulting firm.
Andrew Henderson
Andrew Henderson is the founder of Nomad Capitalist, an international offshore consulting firm.
Doesn’t Biden owe about 500,000 in back taxes?
Yes. Just WHADDYA THINK THE CHANCES ARE that the crooked son of a b tch ever pays it?
Put sleepy Joe Biden and Al Sharpton in the same prison cell for tax evasion!
Just give one a hammer and lock then in the same cell for the night
‘Til the day Each of the SCUMBAGS is planted
Less 10%
Number Of American Giving Up US Citizenship Skyrockets This Year (2020)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkYc5TtKmbE
F. J Biden is a CATHOLIC TRAITOR. Pelosi is a CATHOLIC TRAITOR. SCOTUS is now CATHOLIC.
Have you ever heard of a CATHOLIC “C” nation that has not overspent?
Have you ever heard of a CATHOLIC “C” nation that is not corrupt?\
Have you ever heard of a CATHOLIC “ C” nation that has honest elections?
Have you ever heard of a “C” nation that is successful?
Have you ever heard of a “C’’ nation where the populace is educated?
Have you ever heard of a “C” nation that does not need to ‘export’ the illiterate ILLEGAL ALIEN CATHOLIC “C” INVADERS?
Vote for ANY CATHOLIC “C” and you vote for a traitor.
Vote for ANY CATHOLIC “C” and the borders will never be secured.
alfie- go to confession
Selfie,
You are a Bigot!
The decions of what country to locate in are economic and made by looking at the ‘big picture’! The cost of labor, materials, market, taxes, shipping costs. By Biden wanting to raise the minimum wage he’s raising the cost of production. By Biden wanting to ‘soak the rich’ he’s raising taxes. The odds that business can tolerate these is low. They will have to make the decision to go BANKRUPT or RAISE PRICES!!
Duh!