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Business Insider·5 min read·medium

See the list of California's 200-plus billionaires who could be hit by the proposed wealth tax if it passes

See the list of California's 200-plus billionaires who could be hit by the proposed wealth tax if it passes
AI Summary

California is considering a proposed wealth tax on residents with a net worth exceeding $1 billion, which would be a one-time 5% levy. The proposal has sparked debate among business leaders and politicians regarding its potential impact on the state's economy and billionaire residency.

Why it matters

The outcome could set a significant precedent for state-level wealth taxation in the U.S. and influence the migration patterns of ultra-high-net-worth individuals.

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Palmer Luckey, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jensen Huang are among the billionaires who could be affected by a California wealth tax. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images; Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images; Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images California has a lot of billionaires, more than any other state and more than most countries. So a proposed wealth tax on its billionaires could be a windfall. Under the Billionaire Tax Act, California residents with a net worth of over $1 billion would face a one-time tax equal to 5% of their net worth. The tax plan got one step closer to becoming reality after garnering enough signatures to appear on the ballot. The deadline for ballot measures is June 25, so unless opponents can cut a deal with the groups backing the measure before then, California voters will decide on the tax in November. If passed, the tax would apply retroactively to billionaires living in the state as of January 1, 2026. The tax would be due in 2027, with the option to spread the payment out over five years, with interest. The tax plan has drawn sharp reactions from lawmakers and business leaders. Google cofounders Larry Page and Sergey Brin moved entities tied to them out of the state in December ahead of the deadline, Business Insider first reported. Nvidia CEO and billionaire Jensen Huang said he was "perfectly fine" with the tax. Palmer Luckey, the billionaire founder of defense tech startup Anduril, said it would force companies to "immediately pivot into profit obsession over mission or long-term sustainability." Critics of the tax, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, have warned it will encourage ultrawealthy residents to flee the state and hurt California's economy. They've also said the one-time tax would not provide a sustainable source of funding. Several left-leaning groups have come out against the tax in recent weeks, including the California Teachers Association and Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. Supporters, including SEIU-UHW, a healthcare workers union, say the tax would provide crucial funding for healthcare services to offset federal funding cuts, as well as for education and food assistance programs. As of January 1, there were 214 billionaires in California, according to Forbes data compiled by Americans for Tax Fairness , a group that advocates for higher taxes. Below is the full list of billionaires in California. Names with asterisks have recently moved at least some of their business entities out of the state. Read the original article on Business Insider

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The article presents arguments from both supporters and critics, including quotes from business leaders and government officials.

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