Treasury secretary came out against the proposed global levy, which proponents say would stop the rich from shifting wealth into countries where they can avoid paying the tax

      • Xhieron@lemmy.worldEnglish
        13·
        6 months ago

        But that wasn’t the question, was it? United international action works and also doesn’t really exist. You think billionaires are going to just throw up their hands and give governments their tax dollars if enough nations agree they should. Doesn’t work that way.

        Read the article you linked. Who’s going to jail in Panama? A few bankers–maybe. Panama changed its rules, and the billionaires just moved all their money elsewhere–exactly as predicted.

        The solution to tax evasion isn’t more tax law. That’s like saying that if only everyone agreed rapists should go to jail, people would stop committing rape.

        I’m in favor of a wealth tax just because any action beats no action, but it is absolutely a half measure. The real solution to this problem is not financial. It’s personal.

        • gregorum@lemm.eeEnglish
          21·
          6 months ago

          Some moved their money. Then they got caught. Kinda silly how you’re ignoring that part.

        • givesomefucks@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
          22·
          6 months ago

          From the very comment chain you’re commenting on:

          A 2021 agreement between 140 countries will limit the scope of multinationals to reduce tax by booking profits in low-tax countries by setting a global 15% floor on corporate taxation from next year.

          “Something that many people thought would be impossible, now we know can actually be done,” Zucman said. “The logical next step is to apply that logic to billionaires, and not only to multinational companies.”

          https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/23/business/billionaires-global-tax/index.html

          So yeah, it does exist.

          Dont expect more replies.