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Why some Silicon Valley leaders fear the ‘billionaire tax’ while others don’t—dual-share structures

California's proposed billionaire tax could disproportionately impact founders with dual-share structures like Meta's Zuckerberg and Google's Brin and Page. The tax calculation, based on voting control rather than actual equity, could result in effective rates far exceeding 5%. This highlights the contentious nature of dual-share structures, which grant founders immense power despite smaller equity stakes. Historically linked to corporate governance issues, these structures, though sometimes justified for long-term vision, often depress shareholder returns and prevent activist investor intervention. The author critically views this trend as "corporate governance authoritarianism," suggesting the tax proposal, despite its flaws, might be an inadvertent response.

LiveMint · mint · May 8, 2026 at 7:30 AM

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