Gerard Depardieu, Tax Rebel

http://www.futureofcapitalism.com/2012/12/gerard-depardieu-tax-rebel

Who thought that actor Gerard Depardieu would emerge as a Samuel Adams-style tax rebel of France? Well, not exactly, but give the movie star credit for at least speaking out publicly, as he leaves, against the punish-the-rich tax policy of France (coming soon to America, if President Obama has his way). From Bloomberg:

"I am leaving because you consider success, creativity, talent, anything different are grounds for sanction," the movie star, known for such classic French roles as Cyrano de Bergerac and the musketeer Porthos, wrote in correspondence to Ayrault published today in Le Journal du Dimanche. "I don't expect to be pitied or praised but I reject the word pathetic."

Depardieu, the latest celebrity to leave France after Socialist President Francoise Hollande introduced a slew of new levies since he was elected in May, said he has paid 145 million euros in taxes over the course of his 45-year working life that began at age 14. As well as a 75 percent tax on income over 1 million euros ($1.3 million) Hollande has also added new charges on capital gains, an increased tax on wealth, a boost to inheritance charges and an exit tax for entrepreneurs selling their companies...The actor...said in the newspaper he paid tax at an 85 percent rate on his 2012 income.

by Editor  |  Dec 16, 2012 at 9:16 pm Related Topics:  Europe, Taxes receive the latest by email: subscribe to the free futureofcapitalism.com mailing list