We are publishing the tax secrets of the .001%
propublica.org
We are publishing the tax secrets of the .001%
1–10 of 580 posts
Re: We are publishing the tax secrets of the .001%
#2> Many will ask about the ethics of publishing such private data. We are doing so — quite selectively and carefully — because we believe it serves the public interest in fundamental ways, allowing readers to see patterns that were until now hidden.... We believe that disclosing the identities of billionaires who paid little to no taxes in years their fortunes grew by billions of dollars will help readers understand the magnitude of the tax advantages the ultrarich enjoy... Our publication of this tax data comes at a possibly pivotal moment in America’s long, often contentious debate about the fairness of our tax system
So it's okay to encroach on the privacy of private individuals as long as it serves a political purpose? To try to drum up support for higher tax rates? They're not even saying these individuals used their money to manipulate the tax code, but are merely beneficiaries of income with preferable tax treatment.
Re: We are publishing the tax secrets of the .001%
#3> Many will ask about the ethics of publishing such private data. We are doing so — quite selectively and carefully — because we believe it serves the public interest in fundamental ways, allowing readers to see patterns that were until now hidden.... We believe that disclosing the identities of billionaires who paid little to no taxes in years their fortunes grew by billions of dollars will help readers understand t…
How you feel about this is going to depend on where you are on the political spectrum. I fully support this decision based on where the country stands on inequality and socioeconomic power imbalances. It’s in the public interest to demonstrate the result of poorly constructed public policy (and thereby stoke inertia to fix it and erode wealth inequality).
I’m happy to make my tax returns and income history public if the wealthy are required to do the same.
Re: We are publishing the tax secrets of the .001%
#4> Many will ask about the ethics of publishing such private data. We are doing so — quite selectively and carefully — because we believe it serves the public interest in fundamental ways, allowing readers to see patterns that were until now hidden.... We believe that disclosing the identities of billionaires who paid little to no taxes in years their fortunes grew by billions of dollars will help readers understand t…
They are not private individuals. They are individuals that are of public interest (much like celebrities) and hold significant sway over communities (much like public officials). This is pretty standard legal precedent.
Re: We are publishing the tax secrets of the .001%
#5> Many will ask about the ethics of publishing such private data. We are doing so — quite selectively and carefully — because we believe it serves the public interest in fundamental ways, allowing readers to see patterns that were until now hidden.... We believe that disclosing the identities of billionaires who paid little to no taxes in years their fortunes grew by billions of dollars will help readers understand t…
And the .001 consistently encroach on our political policies for private benefit.
I see these tax loopholes as bugs/vulnerabilities in the tax code. And just like in software, bad actors have an incentive to keep the bugs in place.
Shedding light on them is a first step towards greater awareness and eventual fixes.
Re: We are publishing the tax secrets of the .001%
#6> Many will ask about the ethics of publishing such private data. We are doing so — quite selectively and carefully — because we believe it serves the public interest in fundamental ways, allowing readers to see patterns that were until now hidden.... We believe that disclosing the identities of billionaires who paid little to no taxes in years their fortunes grew by billions of dollars will help readers understand t…
And the .001 consistently encroach on our political policies for private benefit. I see these tax loopholes as bugs/vulnerabilities in the tax code. And just like in software, bad actors have an incentive to keep the bugs in place. Shedding light on them is a first step towards greater awareness and eventual fixes.
> Taxes aren't and shouldn't be secret.
Cool. Would you mind sending me your tax returns (assuming you're in the US), or similar income history?
You can oppose tax loopholes without encroaching on the privacy of others. To use your example, imagine dumping hacked Facebook user data because you don't like bugs in Facebook software
Re: We are publishing the tax secrets of the .001%
#7In Finland, everyone's taxable income is a matter of public record. One theoretical benefit of such a policy is that it eliminates information asymmetries between workers and employers in wage bargaining.
Re: We are publishing the tax secrets of the .001%
#8> Many will ask about the ethics of publishing such private data. We are doing so — quite selectively and carefully — because we believe it serves the public interest in fundamental ways, allowing readers to see patterns that were until now hidden.... We believe that disclosing the identities of billionaires who paid little to no taxes in years their fortunes grew by billions of dollars will help readers understand t…
They are not private individuals. They are individuals that are of public interest (much like celebrities) and hold significant sway over communities (much like public officials). This is pretty standard legal precedent.
So privacy is only for those that aren't celebrities? Do you have some barometer for what makes a "celebrity"? Blue check mark?
Right to privacy is a human right. Do you agree? If so, are there classes of human rights that aren't applicable to some groups of individuals?
Re: We are publishing the tax secrets of the .001%
#9Earlier quoted context omitted.
And the .001 consistently encroach on our political policies for private benefit. I see these tax loopholes as bugs/vulnerabilities in the tax code. And just like in software, bad actors have an incentive to keep the bugs in place. Shedding light on them is a first step towards greater awareness and eventual fixes.
> Taxes aren't and shouldn't be secret. Cool. Would you mind sending me your tax returns (assuming you're in the US), or similar income history? You can oppose tax loopholes without encroaching on the privacy of others. To use your example, imagine dumping hacked Facebook user data because you don't like bugs in Facebook software
> Imagine dumping hacked facebook user data because you don’t like bugs in Facebook software
No need for imagination here... This happens all the time. Data leaks are a regular outcome from security bugs/breeches.
Re: We are publishing the tax secrets of the .001%
#10> Many will ask about the ethics of publishing such private data. We are doing so — quite selectively and carefully — because we believe it serves the public interest in fundamental ways, allowing readers to see patterns that were until now hidden.... We believe that disclosing the identities of billionaires who paid little to no taxes in years their fortunes grew by billions of dollars will help readers understand t…
And the .001 consistently encroach on our political policies for private benefit. I see these tax loopholes as bugs/vulnerabilities in the tax code. And just like in software, bad actors have an incentive to keep the bugs in place. Shedding light on them is a first step towards greater awareness and eventual fixes.
Ah yes, an eye for an eye.