Taxation

In 2016, a European investigation revealed that Apple had paid an almost unbelievable tax rate of just 0.005% on a large slice of its profits routed through Ireland. This startling figure – essentially close to zero tax – pulled back the curtain on the elaborate maneuvers some of the world’s biggest companies use to shrink their tax bills. And Apple was no outlier: experts estimate that nearly 40% of multinational corporate profits, roughly $1 trillion each year, are artificially shifted to offshore tax havens.… Read more

In practice, ordinary workers shoulder far heavier tax burdens than the nation’s richest. This fundamental imbalance can be illustrated by cases that shocked the public when they became known: in 2018, Tesla founder Elon Musk managed to pay no federal income tax at all, despite adding some $11 billion to his fortune that year. Jeff Bezos likewise paid nothing in income tax in certain years (2007 and 2011) when he was already a billionaire.… Read more

In the United States, the federal tax system is designed to be progressive – higher incomes are ostensibly taxed at higher rates than lower incomes. In theory, this means the wealthy should shoulder more of the tax burden. However, when we examine effective tax rates (what people actually pay after deductions, credits, and income mix), the picture changes dramatically. Investigative analyses have shown that America’s richest residents often pay only a tiny fraction of their vast wealth in taxes.… Read more

Luxury yachts anchored at Davos offer a stark image of the world’s wealthiest enjoying privileges far beyond the reach of ordinary Americans. Yet while those yachts gleam, their owners often pay less in taxes – proportionally – than the people who wash their dishes or staff their hotels. A 2021 analysis by the White House found that the 400 richest U.S. families paid only 8.2% of their income in federal income taxes (2010–2018).… Read more

Over the past decade America’s wealthiest households have seen their fortunes multiply — often while paying only a tiny fraction of that growth in income taxes. Investigations of IRS data reveal that some ultra-rich Americans enjoy effective tax rates in the single digits despite dramatic increases in their net worth. Under current law, much of a billionaire’s gain in asset value is not taxed until the asset is sold. By never “realizing” these gains, the richest people can, in effect, defer taxes indefinitely.… Read more

Taxation in the gig economy presents unique challenges for freelancers and independent contractors, who are typically classified as self-employed and must manage their own tax obligations—including income tax, self-employment tax, and quarterly estimated payments. Unlike traditional employees, gig workers must track income, maintain records, and navigate complex deductions for business expenses like home offices, equipment, and vehicle use. As digital platforms grow, governments are tightening reporting thresholds and introducing reforms such as platform accountability, simplified tax regimes, and international coordination to address underreporting and double taxation.… Read more