tax dodge
Revenue avoidance scheme
A tax dodge is a strategy—legal or otherwise—for avoiding or minimizing taxes owed.
The term carries a whiff of disapproval, suggesting the method exploits loopholes or skirts ethical boundaries even if technically lawful: Setting up shell companies in the Caymans is just a tax dodge.
Compare the neutral "tax planning" or clearly illegal "tax evasion."
Protected place or structure
- loopholeExploitable gap in rules
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- planningArranging for future events
- inversionReversal of position
writeoff · deduction · offshore account · haven · gray area · exploit · maneuver · artifice
Act of escaping detection
- avoidanceDeliberate keeping away
- offshoreAway from land
- shell companyInactive firm for transactions
- launderingCleaning fabric items
unreported income · under-the-table · concealment · undeclared · hidden assets · fraudulent returns · black money · slush fund
Exposed secret shell companies
- auditFormal accounts examination
- investigationFormal examination of facts
- whistleblowerInsider who reports misconduct
- IRSFederal tax collector
prosecution · penalty · fine · settlement · leak · scandal · disclosure · crackdown
Deceptive rule-breaking
- unfairnessUnjust or biased treatment
- greedExcessive desire for wealth
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- irresponsibilityFailure to meet obligations
dishonesty · manipulation · unscrupulous · civic duty · social contract · inequality · fairness · accountability
Alpine republic, perpetually neutral
- Cayman IslandsCaribbean British overseas territory
- PanamaIsthmus nation with waterway
- LuxembourgEuropean grand duchy
- BermudaNorth Atlantic island group
Delaware · Monaco · Jersey · Liechtenstein · British Virgin Islands · Isle of Man · Singapore · Dublin
shelter
Protected place or structure
- loopholeExploitable gap in rules
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- planningArranging for future events
inversion · writeoff · deduction · offshore account · haven · gray area · exploit · maneuver · artifice · contrivance
evasion
Act of escaping detection
- avoidanceDeliberate keeping away
- offshoreAway from land
- shell companyInactive firm for transactions
laundering · unreported income · under-the-table · concealment · undeclared · hidden assets · fraudulent returns · black money · slush fund · kickback
Panama Papers
Exposed secret shell companies
- auditFormal accounts examination
- investigationFormal examination of facts
- whistleblowerInsider who reports misconduct
IRS · prosecution · penalty · fine · settlement · leak · scandal · disclosure · crackdown · enforcement
cheating
Deceptive rule-breaking
- unfairnessUnjust or biased treatment
- greedExcessive desire for wealth
- exploitationSelfish use of others
irresponsibility · dishonesty · manipulation · unscrupulous · civic duty · social contract · inequality · fairness · accountability · transparency
Switzerland
Alpine republic, perpetually neutral
- Cayman IslandsCaribbean British overseas territory
- PanamaIsthmus nation with waterway
- LuxembourgEuropean grand duchy
Bermuda · Delaware · Monaco · Jersey · Liechtenstein · British Virgin Islands · Isle of Man · Singapore · Dublin · Netherlands
- leaksleak, leaks, air leak, oil leak, gas leak
- exemptionsexemption, medical exemption, religious exemption, vaccine exemption