• Neuromancer
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    -127 months ago

    “buy borrow die” is totally income, dude. It is not income under the law but I have no issues taxing it as income or preventing the practice.

    If Bernie wasn’t so dumb, that is where he would focus his angst. I suspect few people really understand that is how Elon supports himself through loans and not income.

    One day, those loans have to be called, but until then, there is no income.

    • @[email protected]
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      57 months ago

      I wouldn’t be surprised if those loans are repaid without realizing the gain of the collateral. Step-up basis is a huge tax dodge, and tax dodge is theft from all the people who would benefit from the things those taxes could pay for.

      The way the rich use loans as income is unfair. Therefore the rich do not pay their fair share.

      • Neuromancer
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        -97 months ago

        It would be interesting to see how many of the rich are using loans to bypass taxes.

        I have only heard of a few cases dealing with tech wealthy people who are paid mainly in stock.

        I do think it is an issue and something should be done about it.

        It is a fallout from being a public company and we can regulate that much easier.

        I think our whole tax system needs to be burned down and replaced.

        • @[email protected]
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          67 months ago

          If you agree the system is broken I encourage you to reconsider your prior statements about the rich not paying their fair share.

          Rich people do a variety of shady stuff and keep it hidden (Panama papers), I wouldn’t trust your lack of data points to mean it isn’t a pervasive problem.

          • Neuromancer
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            -87 months ago

            That’s moving the goalpost.

            The pay their fair share of income tax.

            The issue is there is a way to avoid income.

            That’s the problem we need to solve. Technically they’re taking on debt to avoid taxes. Sounds reasonable but those are loans we couldn’t get. It’s just a tax avoidance system.