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Comment by robertlagrant | Hacker News Reader

> a tax avoidance scheme (even if it sounds illegal, it often isn't)

It's never illegal, as far as I know. When it's illegal it's tax evasion.

It's always tax evasion, there are just some forms of tax evasion that are legal if you have enough money to make it work.

Definitionally, "tax avoidance" refers to legal methods, and "tax evasion" refers to illegal methods.

I understand the semantics and the legal frameworks. I disagree with their application and the rules in place to enable the wealthiest individuals to preferentially pay lower tax rates than Joe Schmo. It's tax evasion that has been legally codified through lobbying of special interest groups.

You don't go to court for tax avoidance. You do go to court for tax evasion.

It's tax evasion if you are found guilty, it's tax avoidance if you are found innocent.

You are never found as innocent within U.S. criminal courts. It’s only guilty or not guilty.

"You are innocent until proven guilty". Now lets all build out our truth tables to check if what he said is accurate.

When the doors to the courtroom close the defendant enters a quantum state whereby they are simultaneously innocent and guilty. Once the court room doors open the wave function collapses and a state is revealed.

Presumption of innocence is not the same as a court verdict. A court doesn't find innocence, it merely finds not guilty.

Should new evidence come to light, new charges can be filed.

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