If you are a rich individual, you will be paying the 20% capital gains rate. 15% is the middle-class rate.
And unless the government starts allowing people to deduct inflation losses on their investments (complicated), which can be substantial, long-term capital gains will always be at a lower rate than income taxes.
I guess it depends on your definition of rich, a married couple is allowed up to half a million dollars in 15% capital gains. Not exactly “middle class.”
If you and your wife took $1 million in cap gains every year you’d still only be paying 17.5% tax. Again, not exactly middle class.
Also, we have no inheritance tax up to $10 million dollars. The idea that even a sizable minority of rich people are “hiding” their money abroad is not true. Especially with FATCA.
Long term capital gains taxes are 15% in the US right now. There is no need to park money offshore.