[SiliconSplash]

> Even most rich people are full time employees. E.g. corporate CEOs: https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoinegara/2016/09/01/apple-ce...

Umm. Tim was taxed there for selling his shares. Not a salary. His Salary I don't think is mentioned in the article you linked. As of 2022 it was $3,000,000, he was getting ~$47 million that year in stock compensation, which I doubt he gets taxed on unless he sells it.

https://9to5mac.com/2024/01/11/tim-cook-total-pay-compensati...

He is definitely restructuring his income to be tax efficient.

> The tax system really favors two groups: private equity and founders, both of whom make their money primary through capital appreciation.

Maybe. But that is irrelevant to the original question.

[rayiner]

No. Awards of stock are taxed as income: https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoinegara/2016/09/01/apple-ce...

[SiliconSplash]

Only when they are sold, or if you receive dividends. If he doesn't sell them he doesn't pay tax on them.

He can then leverage those stocks BTW to receive loans, which he won't pay taxes on as they are a debt. Then he can make use of the stock without selling it, and then use that extra income to invest in other things that will generate him additional income/capital or whatever.

There are even more tricks you can do at that point, where on paper you are technically making a loss and never pay a cent in tax.

[ProfessorLayton]

RSUs are taxed when vested, and then they're taxed again if/when they're sold.

[amazingamazing]

It’s hilarious that people are arguing that rich people aren’t taxed enough when they don’t even understand these basics.

[SiliconSplash]

If that is the case that is insane. In any event, that doesn't mean that other rich people don't restructure their income.