Which of the following is NOT a method of money laundering?

Paying taxes in cash is not considered a method of money laundering because it typically involves legitimate transactions where the source of the money is known and recorded. When individuals pay their taxes, they are often required to declare their income and the sources from which it was derived. This form of payment is part of the normal financial and legal obligations of individuals and does not inherently involve concealing the origins of illicit funds.

In contrast, nominee structures, currency smuggling, and asset purchases with bulk cash are commonly used techniques to disguise the origins of illegally obtained money. A nominee method may involve third parties holding assets on behalf of the real owner to obscure true ownership. Currency smuggling typically involves the transportation of large amounts of cash across borders to avoid detection. Asset purchases with bulk cash involve buying valuable items with cash obtained from illegal activities, making it difficult to trace the money back to its criminal origins. Each of these methods is specifically designed to launder money and integrate it into the legitimate financial system, which is what makes them distinct from merely paying taxes in cash.