Tesla founder Elon Musk (50) had his followers on Twitter vote on the sale of ten percent of his shares in the US electric car maker. “Lately there has been a lot of talk about unrealized profits as a means of tax avoidance,” wrote the multi-billionaire on Saturday in the online service. “So I propose to sell ten percent of my Tesla shares.” Musk promised to stick to the result of the vote.
Musk explained that he didn’t receive any cash wages or bonuses. Therefore, selling shares is the only way for him to become taxable. His 62 million followers were able to vote yes or no in the Twitter poll. By 7:00 p.m. (local time), almost 53 percent had voted yes.
Targets Democratic tax reform
The entrepreneur seemed to be aiming at a proposal by the US Democrats for tax reform. You want to tax the super-rich in the US more heavily and have looked at their securities. So far, taxes are only due in the US on the sale of shares.
According to Bloomberg, Musk owned approximately 17 percent of Tesla shares, valued at more than $ 208 billion as of the end of June. With an estimated fortune of $ 338 billion, the Tesla founder is considered the richest man in the world, according to Bloomberg. (AFP)