Unless you renounce citizenship. It happens, but only amongst the super wealthy. For most people, moving to the third world just to have a few more bucks in your pocket. It all comes out of your pocket in bribes and the little inconveniences of life like roads, 24/7 electricity, malaria....
Getting shaken down by Policia Estatal Estado De Mexico going into Zumpango. Yeup. Been there, done that. Looked into it before I lived in Mexico ... as far as taxes. Ran across a Tax Law Firm that stated that even renouncing your citizenship won't do it many times for quite some years. And as I learned ... there are times that it is pretty dang nice to be able to flee back to the U.S.
Most low-tax/no tax countries have decent roads, not much bribery and almost 24/7 electricity. You could equally say the US has high levels of gun crime, very expensive health care and expensive education. Singapore is actually superior to US in all these categories (although more expensive) but has pollution problems.
Ah yes ... Waking up in the morning with the acrid smoke of burning rubber in your lungs. That was great stuff.
Plus an ultra repressive judiciary and violent police. i understand US is a large and diverse jcountry but from where i stand at least it doesÅt look like a particulary pleasant place to live (generally , quite a few places look awesome but i feel one gets most of the good side of the US without much of the nasty part in Canada, but not talking of experience here) Also, as it´s already mentionned on this thread, once one gets to substantial incomes there are corporate set ups available to mitigate own's taxes in most first world countries. But as with visa régulations mentionned by D08 their acceptance are subject to change with little or no notice
What do you mean "just an obligation " ??? I hate beeing away from my kids,best ROI regarding well beeing - so far ... Cost of moving overseas increase significantly with a family but ime it beats travelling as a single man hands down ( personal taste definetely and a matter of age as well)
The US, for all its riches, has some of the worst internet infrastructure in the developed world: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/28/why-is-european-broadband-faster-and-cheaper-blame-the-governme/ If you are a US citizen, you are getting robbed by monopolies. I can't wait for the day when there is true competition in this space in the US.
Well, Singapore is small and taxi are rather cheap. But it´s not targetting those trying to save 20 or 30k a year in taxes. Pleasant place to live anyway. Btw Malaysia is offering a great tax free deal for those willing to move there, is cheaper than Singapore and u can import 1 car there tax free once u get accepted with ur family. Pretty easy to get the 10years visa.