I’d undoubtedly declare bankruptcy . . . but only because suicide, to me, is not really an attractive option.

But to have had sufficient income to actually owe that much in taxes, besides being a mind-blowing prospect, would certainly make all the difference in my reaction. I might not want to part with that much money; but at least I could afford to do it without going broke.

And that seems to be the situation in which Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich finds himself. In what is obviously an extremely complex series of commercial transactions and financial maneuverings, leaked documents show that Abramovich’s companies have been involved in investments valued at some $6 billion that were routed through the British Virgin Islands, but were managed from the UK. And Britain is now saying its government is owed VAT (value-added tax) at the standard rate of 20 percent. [James Oliver, Harriet Agerholm and Will Dahlgreen, BBC News, January 29, 2025.]

I foresee a long, convoluted legal battle between the UK government and Mr. Abramovich’s legal team, as he continues to hop-scotch on his merry way from one of his residences — in Russia, Türkiye and Israel — to another, enjoying life as only a multi-billionaire can do. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

And as I watch the game from the bleachers, I will be giving thanks that I will never in my life have to deal with that kind of problem. There are, after all, advantages to being ordinary.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
1/29/25