Blackstone to use partnership structure to pay almost no tax after flotation
According to Financial News (US), "The Blackstone Group has emerged as one of the world’s largest corporate borrowers after its private equity business took on about $80bn (€60bn) in debt over the past three years." Blackstone's planned IPO appears to be designed to minimise its tax obligaions, "according to the prospectus, Blackstone’s lawyers have advised the company it will qualify for certain exceptions and continue to be treated as a partnership for tax purposes after it goes public."
Continue reading: James Mawson and David Rothnie, 'Blackstone borrows $80bn', Financial News Online, 26 Mar 2007.