Two primary strategies, “buy-borrow-die” and “buy-hold for decades-sell,” allow the wealthy to avoid paying taxes on investment gains, either entirely or at drastically reduced rates. The “buy-borrow-die” strategy utilizes loans against appreciated assets to avoid income tax until death, while “buy-hold for decades-sell” minimizes the effective tax rate on long-term investments through decades of untaxed compounding. While arguments exist that the wealthy lack the means to pay taxes before selling assets, this is demonstrably false; solutions such as deferring tax payments until sale, with appropriate adjustments for compounding, are readily available. The persistence of these loopholes ultimately stems from political inaction rather than genuine financial constraints.
Rishi Sunak, the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, has recently come under scrutiny for paying an effective tax rate of 23% on his £2.2 million income last year. Many have expressed their opinions on this matter, with some arguing that it is a fair rate, while others believe it is too low for someone in his position. As an American, I find it interesting to compare the tax rates of politicians in different countries.
In the United States, politicians often pay significantly lower tax rates than the average citizen. It is not uncommon for wealthy individuals to take advantage of various loopholes and deductions to minimize their tax burden.… Continue reading
The median is lower than the average because the top earners earn more than a normal distribution.
What’s even more fun is that billionaires and top “earning” millionaires won’t even be on this list because they record $0 income. The average would be even higher with total earnings.
They make their money (or just support their life style) from moving around assets and selling assets which is not taxable income, it’s “capital gains”. And a lot of times shell companies are used to avoid taxable events. It’s all a big “legit” scam.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood