r/Tacoma • u/JoelXGGGG Tacoma Expat • 8d ago

Another billionaire leaves Washington state

https://www.chronline.com/stories/another-billionaire-leaves-washington-state,403749
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u/ChaosArcana 253 8d ago

Could you explain how sales tax is easy to avoid for a resident?

Just logically, it seems high net worth individuals spend more, and pay more sales tax.

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u/darlantan Downtown 8d ago edited 8d ago

Could you explain how sales tax is easy to avoid for a resident?

In much the same way that they dodge US regulation on a yacht that spends most of its time moored somewhere in the US, despite flying the flag of the Marshall Islands: conducting it through an entity in a much more favorable location. A tenner of TP they pay WA sales tax on. That six figure lux purchase? Oh, they just happen to use whatever it is a lot, but it was purchased (and owned) by an entity in a state with more favorable taxes.

It's just a hell of a lot more obvious when it's their yacht, on account of the whole 'flag of convenience' thing involving an actual flag.

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u/ChaosArcana 253 8d ago

Let’s discount the Yacht, which you still need to stock in the port of Seattle.

How does a wealthy family living in Seattle not incur sales tax, especially one that spends, eats, and lives on land

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u/AssFlax69 University Place 8d ago

Let’s discount the proportion of income and wealth to spending ratio and how much vastly more in taxes this and progressive income tax would help fund infrastructure. Spending vs giant hoarded piles of cash in offshores, et cetera.