Quote:
Originally Posted by John Mercier
What is interesting is the mixing of the inheritance tax, with the capital gains tax, and the primary home exemption.
My understanding is these are all different.
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Very much so. The intricacies of the code are so unique but lend themselves to so many opportunities to be strategic. The Honorable Learned Hand said it best in several different cases...
"Any one may so arrange his affairs that his taxes shall be as low as possible; he is not bound to choose that pattern which will best pay the Treasury; there is not even a patriotic duty to increase one's taxes...Over and over again courts have said that there is nothing sinister in so arranging one's affairs as to keep taxes as low as possible. Everybody does so, rich or poor; and all do right, for nobody owes any public duty to pay more than the law demands: taxes are enforced exactions, not voluntary contributions. To demand more in the name of morals is mere cant."