Johnny Depp moves back to America to avoid paying taxes in France

chron.com ^ | 7 Nov 2011 | Tracy Scott

[smokingfrog]

Actor Johnny Depp has moved out of France and returned to America because he didn’t want to become a permanent French resident and pay income tax there.

The Pirates of the Caribbean star and his longterm partner, French singer/actress Vanessa Paradis, moved to her native country in the 1990s to live away from the Hollywood spotlight with their two children.

However, Depp has now moved his family out of France after government officials asked him to become a permanent resident, as he feared he would end up paying tax in both countries.

He tells Britain’s The Guardian newspaper, “Well, I kind of do (live back in America). I’m between wherever I end up on location, and then the States. (I left because) France wanted a piece of me. They wanted me to become a permanent resident. Permanent residency status – which changes everything. They just want… Dough. Money… I’m certainly not ready to give up my American citizenship.”

[Sapper26]

I would think being able to pay taxes twice would be considered nirvana for a rich liberal.

The liberal nirvana is SOMEONE ELSE being taxed twice (or more). It’s not nearly as fun when you become a SOMEONE ELSE to somebody else.

[Talisker]

And anyway I thought that the taxes you paid in one place were credits against what you owe elsewhere?

LOL. Now that's funny right there.

I don't think you're quite clear on the concept behind taxes.

[I still care]

Hypocrite.

They work to get these bloodsuckers in office, but they can shuffle back and forth between countries to avoid the consequences.

[Jonty30]

It could be that what you pay in taxes in one country, you’d deduct it from your income in another country.

So if Johnny Depp makes $5 million dollars one year, he’d pay the 23 percent federal tax rate in the States (whatever your rate is), or 1.15 million dollars, then he’d get taxed in France on the remaining $3.85 million.

[antceecee]

’ “Depp goes on to explain that if he spends more than 183 days a year in France he will have to pay income tax in both Europe and America, adding, “So you essentially work for free.”

Hey Johnny... welcome to the real world babydoll!

[ransomnote]

Thanks for the info. Initially, when the furor broke out, he claimed that the German newspaper misquoted him. I think it was Der Spiegel (sp). But the German newspaper stood by their account and would not back down. So, based on what you watched, it seems he apologized.

[pepsionice]

I worked for the US Air Force as a contractor in Germany. I paid German taxes, and American taxes. Of course, with the American taxes...the first $82k is tax-free. After you pay round 55% of your income for German gas taxes, income taxes, sales tax, roof tax, and car tax....then you just start laughing when you have to toss even $500 toward IRS.

[netmilsmom]

Depp is Kentucky born.
She looks like she could have been born in Appalachia.

Nice people, bad dental work.

[Oceander]

And anyway I thought that the taxes you paid in one place were credits against what you owe elsewhere?

---

LOL. Now that's funny right there.

I don't think you're quite clear on the concept behind taxes.

Actually, as a general matter he's quite clear on the basic concept behind taxes; it's known as the "foreign tax credit" and, with some twists and turns in the details, more or less allows a US citizen or resident to claim a credit against their US taxes for foreign taxes they've already paid or accrued on the same income.

Alternatively, if it makes more sense, one can also claim a deduction against one's US taxable income for foreign taxes paid or accrued.

With respect to Mr. Depp, I'm not sure if he's quite clear on the concept, but there is an income tax treaty between the US and France that sorts out most of the issues. My guess is that it's not so much double taxation Mr. Depp is worried about so much as it is having to pay tax at the French rates rather than at the US rates, and probably also concerns about having to pay the French social taxes.

[DOGEY]

He could avoid that by renouncing his American citizenship. I wonder if the Guardian forgot to ask him that?

[Wpin]

The left always wants someone else to pay the high taxes they desire...they do everything they can to avoid paying those taxes themselves...right Warren?

[Celtic Conservative]

Two words: Dental bonding.

CC

P.S. Keith Urban called and he wants his front teeth back.

[HereInTheHeartland]

“to live away from the Hollywood spotlight with their two children. “

No problem with that part.

[HereInTheHeartland]

“Hey Johnny... welcome to the real world babydoll!”

He needs to join the Tea Party. We need a Hollywood branch.

[driftless2]

Johnny Depp-—the Pirate of the Mediterranean.

[dfwgator]

Just like John Lennon, he “Imagined there’s no taxes.”

[af_vet_rr]

F Him! I guess he will be moving to Liberal Austin Texas, where he can be aroung fellow ASS HAT LIBERALS, and not pay state taxes?

Austin is not the only liberal city in Texas - Houston is the city that elected a lesbian mayor and Dallas elected a lesbian sheriff.