Hannah Menchu - Depardieu 'to give up passport' in tax exile row

French actor Gerard Depardieu has been criticized by the prime minister for moving from his homeland of France to Belgium.  The prime minister says the move is to avoid paying the high taxes in France.   Next year, the top rate of income tax in France is due to become 75% on earnings above 1m euros.  It is currently 50% in Belgium.   Depardieu told the weekly Le Journal du Dimanche, "I am not asking to be approved of, but I could at least be respected. All of those who have left France have not been insulted as I have been."  Depardieu said that during his long career he had paid 145m euros (£118m) to the French taxman.  Three months ago France's richest man, Bernard Arnault, announced plans to relocate to Belgium although he denied it was for tax reasons.  The tax rate of 75% for the wealthiest people in France is an outrageous amount!  Everyone should pay their fair share, but it seems to be a very extreme percentage.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20750593