Dublin
Irish officials are accusing rock band U2 of greed and poor citizenship after the band moved part of its business empire to the Netherlands for tax reasons. Ireland has long granted tax-free status to artists and performers, but in the last budget it started taxing artists with incomes over $325,000. “Having listened to Bono on the necessity for the Irish government to give more money to Ireland Aid,” said Labor Party spokeswoman Joan Burton, “I am surprised that U2 are not prepared to contribute to the exchequer on a fair basis along with the bulk of Irish taxpayers.” U2’s assets are worth more than $875 million.
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