Depardieu, in tax fight, gets Russian citizenship

A representative for the former Oscar nominee declined to say whether he had accepted the offer and refused all comment. Thursday was a holiday in Russia and officials from the Federal Tax Service and Federal Migration Service could not be reached for comment on whether the decision would require Depardieu to have a residence in Russia.

Depardieu has been vocal in his opposition to French President Francois Hollande’s plans to raise the tax on earned income above (euro) 1 million ($1.33 million) to 75% from the current high of 41%. In contrast to the proposed top French rate, Russia has a flat 13% tax on income.