Posted on 08/08/2006 4:18:20 PM PDT by World_Events
Bono Avoids Taxes, Joins with Forbes
Breaking from NewsMax.com
U2 and its lead singer Bono have been pushing the U.S. and EU countries to fork over more money for Third World nations to relieve debt and fight AIDS.
But when it comes to paying their fair share of taxes to help those efforts, U2 wants a free ride.
That's the word from Ireland, where the group has been based since it was founded in the early 1980s.
The Irish Examiner reports that U2 and Bono are furious that Ireland is doing away with its law exempting artists and authors from taxation.
Under the Irish government's last budget, artists and authors can get up to 250,000 euros ($325,000) in income tax free, but after that they pay like everyone else.
Most taxpayers would be joyous they could get the exemption Ireland provides.
But U2 rakes in tens of millions globally, and the new schedule doesn't sit well with the millionaire singer and his band members.
The Examiner reports that beginning in June of this year the group began moving parts of their business to Netherlands. The paper said now U2 pays "virtually no tax on royalties" in Holland.
And there's more news that U2 may be more of a savvy business than a social cause. Forbes magazine – the "capitalist tool" – revealed this week that U2 front man Bono and others in a financial investment company called Elevation Partners have purchased a large minority stake in Forbes Media, which owns the magazine.
Elevation Partners is a private equity firm which invests in intellectual property and media and entertainment companies. The Times said the investment amounted to $250 to $300 million.
"This investment by Elevation Partners will now accelerate our pursuit of a number of very exciting opportunities for growth," said Forbes Chief Executive Steve Forbes, who is also editor in chief of Forbes magazine.
Forbes has good reason to be gleeful: he's been a champion of free market ideas forever.
But the Times noted the irony of Bono's investment "in a magazine that celebrates wealth and consumption . . . "
Roger McNamee, a co-founder of Bono's Elevation Partners, responded: "The way you solve poverty is giving people the tools to overcome it."
It's a good point, but one never pushed by Bono.
The paper said the singer was unavailable for comment.
Perhaps he was in the Netherlands listening to "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For."
Why do you think John Lennon moved to the US?
"Imagine there's no taxes."
S O S...Libs want YOUR money --not theirs--thrown at "Crises".
Bono is a pretentious has-been.
I never thought Bono was cool.
I'm a rock-a-billy fan.
Chances are that he's "throwing" a portion of his own money at the issues he cares about. Choosing to give is one thing, having your money taken is another.
They're not called limosine libs fer nuthin' :)
Should five per cent appear too small,
Be thankful I don't take it all.
'Cause I’m the taxman,
Yeah, I’m the taxman.
(if you drive a car, car;) - I’ll tax the street;
(if you try to sit, sit;) - I’ll tax your seat;
(if you get too cold, cold;) - I’ll tax the heat;
(if you take a walk, walk;) - I'll tax your feet.
Taxman!
'Cause I’m the taxman,
Yeah, I’m the taxman.
Don't ask me what I want it for, (ah-ah, mister Wilson)
If you don't want to pay some more. (ah-ah, mister heath)
'Cause I’m the taxman,
Yeah, I’m the taxman.
Now my advice for those who die, (taxman)
Declare the pennies on your eyes. (taxman)
'Cause I’m the taxman,
Yeah, I’m the taxman.
And you're working for no one but me. Taxman!
!
I guess he thinks money grows like clovers.
"There always tryin' to steal me Lucky Charms."
Not me. All I know is he plays with a group called U2 -- that, and what I've read in this post.
Typical liberals: always generous with somebody else's money.
I NEVER thought this Bono was cool. The cool Bono slid into a tree and got killed. Sonny.
Dodging taxes, well why not? No reason to give money away. I haven't seen Bono out there arguing for higher taxes.
The only thing I've' seen him argue for is debt relief for Africa. That is an interesting topic, and not easy to break into black and white issues. The "fairest" result, IMHO would be simple debt repudiation by a new government in some of those countires. Why should impoverished Africans work to pay back moneys that were in most cases looted by former leaders, many of whom were no doubt backed by the very same forces that they now owe money to. If private banks lose money I won't be shedding tears.
The only difference between "forgiveness" and "repudiation" is that you can still get loans after the latter.
None of what he's done in these deals, the tax thing, or even his Africa stance makes me dislike the man at all.
what a bunch of lying hypocrites...but this is not suprising coming from Liberal leftists.
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