[Red Badger]

Here’s the scheme: ( I don’t know if this is actually workable)

Hunter gives lawyer $2 million as a ‘retainer’.

Lawyer pays IRS $2 Million taxes for Hunter.

Hunter now owes taxes on $2 Million which his substantially less than $2 Million.

Lawyer now owes taxes on $2 Million which his substantially less than $2 Million.

Hunter pays his tax on $2 Million, saving mucho dinero.

Hunter pays Lawyer’s ‘fee’ of tax on $2 Million....................

[Svartalfiar]

Here’s the scheme: ( I don’t know if this is actually workable)

I don't see the benefit there. You say they both owe taxes on $2MM, which is less than the $2MM owed. Yes, but you're ignoring that Hunter is out $2MM anyway from paying the retainer, and the lawyer is out $2MM from paying the taxes for him. So really, they owe MORE with that scheme, because Hunter then owes the tax on the $2MM gift (for which he paid $2MM), and the lawyer owes taxes on the $2MM "income" that he just passed through and didn't get to keep a penny of. And I'm pretty sure gift-paying someone else's taxes is NOT a valid business expense he can just write off and zero out.