Money Giving Away Expert

chewmylegoff

grizzly1911 wrote: »

I was going to say that but I make enough cynical posts.

No doubt there is an angle on it for him and he will manage to bend it past HMRC.

Even so he didn't have to do it.

Perhaps a bit more overt philanthropy from some of the oligarchs might paint them in a better light.

I doubt hmrc will be a problem for him given he hasn't been resident in this country for years. The Americans have some funny notions on tax though. Not sure how California works, but I think New York does somehing crazy like trying to charge you NY state income tax for 7 years after you have left...

Generali

Tancred wrote: »

It's easy to be nice when you are a multi-millionaire!

Easier it's true but it's not mandatory and it's a wonderful thing to do IMO.

I think things like this should be celebrated rather than treated with cynicism.

MacMickster

Generali wrote: »

Easier it's true but it's not mandatory and it's a wonderful thing to do IMO.

I think things like this should be celebrated rather than treated with cynicism.

I completely agree. Apparently £170,000 per week for 5 months, so over £3.5 million. That kind of sum will make a huge difference to the work of the recipient charity.

If all of the wealthy in our society were equally altruistic then I doubt that there would be as much fuss made about tax avoidance. Unfortunately, I suspect that for every David Beckham and Bill Gates there is someone who does a passable impression of Gollum, referring to his bank account as "my precious" and worshipping every pound within it. For these people, taxation is society's way of ensuring that they contribute a share of their good fortune.

Generali

MacMickster wrote: »

I completely agree. Apparently £170,000 per week for 5 months, so over £3.5 million. That kind of sum will make a huge difference to the work of the recipient charity.

If all of the wealthy in our society were equally altruistic then I doubt that there would be as much fuss made about tax avoidance. Unfortunately, I suspect that for every David Beckham and Bill Gates there is someone who does a passable impression of Gollum, referring to his bank account as "my precious" and worshipping every pound within it. For these people, taxation is society's way of ensuring that they contribute a share of their good fortune.

We should all give something IMHO, either money or time. Back when I was pretty rich (top 10% but not top 1%) I gave money, now I give time by acting as secretary to the local kids soccer club and before that as a soccer ref.

Interestingly I got more abuse for being a crap ref than a well off banker!