What shocks me way more than the rich individuals and family offices having setups allowing them to, legally, pay less taxes is the sheer amount of politicians caught with hidden assets. Assets that were very likely misappropriation of taxpayers money and proceeds from other criminal activities. That and assets from families linked to drug dealing and whatnots.
For example one of the most prominent leftist french politicians, ex- director of the IMF I think, was caught the hand in the cookie jar with tens of millions stashed away, while years ago he was publicly saying that tax evasion should be fought.
We're talking hundreds of politicians.
It's estimated 3% to 5% of the world's GDP is linked to criminal activites: maybe we should the priorities right, and focus on politicians-thieves and drug dealers before hating on those among the rich who legally put their money where they think it's safer? (many in these leaks have done absolutely nothing wrong and it would be nice if everything was not conflated)
Money laundering is illegal. Stealing tax payers money and hiding it is illegal. Selling drugs is illegal. Legally evading taxes is, in many cases, fully legal (tax evasion / tax avoidance: whatever you call it, nothing forces you to pay the most: if you find a legal way to pay less, more power to you as long as you're not a criminal).
For example one of the most prominent leftist french politicians, ex- director of the IMF I think, was caught the hand in the cookie jar with tens of millions stashed away, while years ago he was publicly saying that tax evasion should be fought.
We're talking hundreds of politicians.
It's estimated 3% to 5% of the world's GDP is linked to criminal activites: maybe we should the priorities right, and focus on politicians-thieves and drug dealers before hating on those among the rich who legally put their money where they think it's safer? (many in these leaks have done absolutely nothing wrong and it would be nice if everything was not conflated)
Money laundering is illegal. Stealing tax payers money and hiding it is illegal. Selling drugs is illegal. Legally evading taxes is, in many cases, fully legal (tax evasion / tax avoidance: whatever you call it, nothing forces you to pay the most: if you find a legal way to pay less, more power to you as long as you're not a criminal).