Life Insurers Use State Laws to Avoid as Much as $100 Billion in U.S. Taxes
Source: NY Times
Some companies have been called economic traitors for seeking to lower their tax bills by moving overseas. But life insurers are accomplishing the same goal without leaving the country, saving as much as $100 billion in federal taxes, much of it in the last several years.
The insurers are taking advantage of fierce competition for their business among states, which have passed special laws that allow the companies to pull cash away from reserves they are required to keep to pay claims. The insurers use the money to pay for bonuses, shareholder dividends, acquisitions and other projects, and because of complicated accounting maneuvers, the money escapes federal taxation.
The Transamerica Life Insurance Company used a state law in Iowa last year to reap $1.8 billion from its reserves while also avoiding an estimated $640 million in federal taxes, according to company documents. The deal was unusually large but otherwise followed the general industry trend.
Read more: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/12/12/insurers-use-deals-to-avoid-as-much-as-100-billion-in-taxes/?_r=0
BlueJazz
(25,348 posts)...point out.."And the biggest loop-holes known on this planet"
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)Looks like the Mom and Pop businesses, as well as the middle class is footing all the bills for the country.
I am SO sick of this and the off-shore hiding of wealth.
DeSwiss
(27,137 posts)bemildred
(90,061 posts)If the government would do it's job an provide a decent social saftey net there would be no need to pay someone to support the family if the breadwinner happens to die young. And that would take care of the problem if he or she happens to lose his or her means of support too.