Hamilton off to Switzerland

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<_Spike_>

<_Spike_>

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Can't handle the lack of privacy, not that I blame him quite frankly...it'd probably be a pain in the ass to get everyone asking for an autograph when he just wants to use the gas station's toilet. The media obviously aren't helping so he's off to Switzerland, ironically where Kimi lives and Fernando too if I heard correctly.
 
Saw this in an interview that BBC showed clips of from sky sports. Switzerland seems quite popular.
 
Bad timing, I recall reading somewhere that Switzerland is going to legalize motorsports again. Meaning that it won't be the tax haven it used to be.
 
What? It won't be a tax haven becuase they are legalising motorsport? Can you explain that abit more?


It's no surprise he's going, I don't think he or his family need the pressure from the media. But I can't imagine the flights to and thro will be helping him if he needs to advertise any "green" products.
 
ExigeExcel
What? It won't be a tax haven becuase they are legalising motorsport? Can you explain that abit more?
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Because being a racing driver isn&#8217;t considered a profession in Switzerland. Though I don&#8217;t see why that would impact tax, anyway.

But I&#8217;m not 100% sure if that is the reason F1 drivers consider it a tax haven. It could be a contributing factor, but I thought they were just very very lenient on foreigners.
 
"Switzerland is a tax haven for foreigners who become resident after negotiating the amount of their income subject to taxation with the canton in which they intend to live. Typically taxable income is assumed to be five times the accommodation rental paid."

It has nothing to do with your profession or Switzerlands ban on motorsport.

Schumacher lives in Switzerland too.
 
Hm, 3 World Champions and someone who will undoubtedly become a World Champion all in the same country, quite a collection.
 
TheCracker
"Switzerland is a tax haven for foreigners who become resident after negotiating the amount of their income subject to taxation with the canton in which they intend to live. Typically taxable income is assumed to be five times the accommodation rental paid."

It has nothing to do with your profession or Switzerlands ban on motorsport.

Schumacher lives in Switzerland too.
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Oh, my bad then. I always thought that was the reason.

<_Spike_>
Hm, 3 World Champions and someone who will undoubtedly become a World Champion all in the same country, quite a collection.
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Ever heard of Monaco? :)
 
Monaco's for the high-rollers/play-boys
Switzerland's for the serious dudes
Austria's for the losers
Britain's for the noobs
 
I wonder if anyone read the first two words of the title and thought...

"Lewis is leaving McLaren?!"
 
Sureshot
I wonder if anyone read the first two words of the title and thought...

"Lewis is leaving McLaren?!"
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:lol: and that had me thought of something. I thought he was going to join Sauber BMW next year.... :crazy: But then again, this is just some minor rumors. Not so important to actually comment about.....
 
zoxxy
What?
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BMW-Sauber is (at least partially) a Swiss team, even though motorsport is largely banned there. Therefore, the thread title - "Hamilton off to Switzerland" - could be interpreted as Hamilton moving to the BMW factory team.
 
<_Spike_>
Can't handle the lack of privacy, not that I blame him quite frankly...it'd probably be a pain in the ass to get everyone asking for an autograph when he just wants to use the gas station's toilet. The media obviously aren't helping so he's off to Switzerland, ironically where Kimi lives and Fernando too if I heard correctly.
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I think Sir Jackie Stewart lives there too now...
 
Do you race?
BMW-Sauber is (at least partially) a Swiss team, even though motorsport is largely banned there. Therefore, the thread title - "Hamilton off to Switzerland" - could be interpreted as Hamilton moving to the BMW factory team.
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k
 
If anyone is leaving McLaren, It'll be Alonso. There was a story in F1 Magazine about the tax havens around the world for F1 drivers and Switzerland was a popular choice because being a race driver isn't considered a profession. Don't ask me why. That's just what I read!!!
 
Oshow
If anyone is leaving McLaren, It'll be Alonso. There was a story in F1 Magazine about the tax havens around the world for F1 drivers and Switzerland was a popular choice because being a race driver isn't considered a profession. Don't ask me why. That's just what I read!!!
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Maybe you should've read all the replies to this thread aswell.
 
Oshow
If anyone is leaving McLaren, It'll be Alonso. There was a story in F1 Magazine about the tax havens around the world for F1 drivers and Switzerland was a popular choice because being a race driver isn't considered a profession. Don't ask me why. That's just what I read!!!
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..Actually, after refuting a similar earlier statement, i've looked into this whole Swiss resident thing (and found that Bernie, Trulli and Loeb are all residents too) and it would appear that there may be some truth to the 'racing driver isn't considered a profession' clause. It would seem that there maybe a loop hole that recognises 'professional' racing drivers as unemployed due to the banning of such sports in Switzerland - although i think this might be a case of Chinese whispers. A foreign national can reside in Switzerland as long as they don't work (ie earn money) there. This is probably where the simplified 'unemployed' status comes from in all the stories. They can then negotiate a lump-sum level of tax with the local authorities. On average these foreigners pay $70k per year. Some have estimated that this could potentially save LH $100-200k in taxes over the next 5 years!
 

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