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Serbia grants citizenship to Steve Wozniak

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Re: Serbia grants citizenship to Steve Wozniak

#21

I wonder if this is the "one weird hack" to expand the tax base of a country. Just grant citizenship, then start sending tax bills. "Dear Mr. Musk, here is your Argentinian Citizenship! We welcome you with open arms! P.S. please note that as of 2020 we have in place a tax on high-wealth individuals. The appropriate agency will be in touch. Renouncing citizenship takes about a year"

Most countries don't tax their citizens when they live elsewhere and have no income in the country. There is one notable exception.

Eritrea? Since there are actually two exceptions, although one is definitely less notable than the other.

Re: Serbia grants citizenship to Steve Wozniak

#22
I obviously don't know why Wozniak personally wants Serbian citizenship, but it is worth noting that Serbia is a good second passport for anyone that already has a US/EU/CA/UK citizenship. This is because Serbians have visa-free access to China, Russia, and a few other places that Western citizens tend to have more difficulties with.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Serbian_...

Re: Serbia grants citizenship to Steve Wozniak

#23
post #14

Why though? Did they just figure they’d grant one, and he just went ahead and accepted? Or is there a reason he needs one that wasn’t explained? I know that people sometimes shop around for a passport from whatever EU country for reasons, but Serbia isn’t one. (With all due respect to Serbia)

This is neither here nor there, but Serbia is an EU Candidate, likely to get membership in the coming years.

Re: Serbia grants citizenship to Steve Wozniak

#24

I wonder if this is the "one weird hack" to expand the tax base of a country. Just grant citizenship, then start sending tax bills. "Dear Mr. Musk, here is your Argentinian Citizenship! We welcome you with open arms! P.S. please note that as of 2020 we have in place a tax on high-wealth individuals. The appropriate agency will be in touch. Renouncing citizenship takes about a year"

Most countries don't tax their citizens when they live elsewhere and have no income in the country. There is one notable exception.

> There is one notable exception.

There are two actually.

Re: Serbia grants citizenship to Steve Wozniak

#28

I wonder if this is the "one weird hack" to expand the tax base of a country. Just grant citizenship, then start sending tax bills. "Dear Mr. Musk, here is your Argentinian Citizenship! We welcome you with open arms! P.S. please note that as of 2020 we have in place a tax on high-wealth individuals. The appropriate agency will be in touch. Renouncing citizenship takes about a year"

It's pretty safe to assume this is not the case, countries don't "trick" people into citizenship for this. Plus Steve would know the implications of accepting this citizenship, and could challenge it and not pay a dime if there were hidden clauses.

Re: Serbia grants citizenship to Steve Wozniak

#29

I wonder if this is the "one weird hack" to expand the tax base of a country. Just grant citizenship, then start sending tax bills. "Dear Mr. Musk, here is your Argentinian Citizenship! We welcome you with open arms! P.S. please note that as of 2020 we have in place a tax on high-wealth individuals. The appropriate agency will be in touch. Renouncing citizenship takes about a year"

Most countries don't tax their citizens when they live elsewhere and have no income in the country. There is one notable exception.

That one notable exception also charges a tax for renouncing citizenship.

Re: Serbia grants citizenship to Steve Wozniak

#30

I wonder if this is the "one weird hack" to expand the tax base of a country. Just grant citizenship, then start sending tax bills. "Dear Mr. Musk, here is your Argentinian Citizenship! We welcome you with open arms! P.S. please note that as of 2020 we have in place a tax on high-wealth individuals. The appropriate agency will be in touch. Renouncing citizenship takes about a year"

Most countries don't tax their citizens when they live elsewhere and have no income in the country. There is one notable exception.

The US is certainly an outlier, but domicile taxes are not at all unusual, especially at high net worth.
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