American Billionaires and Millionaires Moving to Puerto Rico to Capitalize on Tax Haven Status

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Today Bloomberg News reported that Billionaire hedge fund manager John Paulson is exploring move to Puerto Rico where a new law would eliminate taxes on gains from the $9.5 billion he has invested in his own hedge funds.  Puerto Rico is clearly on pace to compete with Singapore to get some of that lucrative global big money into it’s economy.
Here, watch the report…..


Paulson Mulls Move to Puerto Rico for Tax Advantage

 
John Paulson, a lifelong New Yorker, is exploring a move to Puerto Rico, where a new law would eliminate taxes on gains from the $9.5 billion he has invested in his own hedge funds, according to four people who have spoken to him about a possible relocation. 
Ten wealthy Americans have already taken advantage of the year-old Puerto Rican law that lets new residents pay no local or U.S. federal taxes on capital gains, according to Alberto Baco Bague, Secretary of Economic Development and Commerce of Puerto Rico. The marginal tax rate for affluent New Yorkers can exceed 50 percent on ordinary income.
Paulson, 57, recently looked at real estate in the exclusive Condado neighborhood of San Juan, where an 8,379- square-foot penthouse, complete with six underground parking spaces, lists for $5 million. The area is home to St. John’s School, a private English-language academy where he and his wife could send their two children, said the people, who asked not to be named because the discussions were private.
Paulson’s firm declined to comment on his personal plans.
“While we have looked at real estate investments in Puerto Rico, we have not made any investments,” Paulson & Co. said in a statement. The firm is one of the largest holders of Popular Inc., which owns the biggest lender in Puerto Rico, and it runs a $300 million real estate fund that has properties in Florida, Nevada, Arizona, California, Colorado and Hawaii.
Unusual Choice
John Paulson hasn’t decided whether to move and may opt to stay in New York, the people said. His firm would remain in New York.
Wealthy individuals in the U.S. and Europe are relocating as governments raise taxes on top earners to shrink budget deficits that have become unsustainable after the 2007-2009 financial crisis. Actor Gerard Depardieu left France last year for Belgium and billionaire Bernard Arnault, who runs LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA (MC), applied for Belgian nationality, after President Francois Hollande sought to introduce a 75 percent tax on millionaires.
BlueCrest Capital Management Ltd. and Brevan Howard Asset Management LLP opened or expanded offices in Switzerland in the past three years after Britain raised taxes on the wealthy.
Paulson executives, too, have already taken steps that may allow them to pay lower taxes. Last year, they put about $450 million into a new Bermuda reinsurance company that in turn invested all of its assets in Paulson & Co. funds. The structure positions them to defer any taxes on investment income from the funds for years, and to pay only the lower capital gains rate when they do.
Occupy Visit
Moving to a Caribbean island four hours by plane from New York City would be an unusual choice for Paulson. He grew up in Queens and graduated from New York University. He’s worked in Manhattan for the last three decades and last year donated $100 million to help conserve Central Park, steps from his six-story townhouse.
In October 2011, when Occupy Wall Street protesters marched by the homes of Manhattan’s billionaires, Paulson chided them by pointing out his loyalty to the city.
Read the full article at Bloomberg.com >>>

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