Bill Gates wants ultra-wealthy individuals to pay more tax — and now a growing chorus of billionaires agree.

In his annual “Ask Me Anything” forum on Reddit last year, the Microsoft cofounder said he was “surprised” that taxes for the rich haven’t been increased more.

Gates doubled down on his calls to tax the rich in a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week. He said the wealthiest nations should donate more money to developing countries to help redress inequality.

“Those who have the most — whether it’s countries, companies, or individuals — should be pushed to be more generous,” he said.

It seems others agree, as more than 250 ultra-wealthy people signed an open letter calling for global leaders to impose a wealth tax.

  • @TORFdot0
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    510 months ago

    If you are cutting massive checks for the social good, private charitable organizations are typically better stewards of the money than the government. Unless you want the military to have more fighter jets, I suppose

    • @Crashumbc
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      510 months ago

      Cutting massive checks into charities THEY own to hide it from being taxed…

      FTFY…

      • @TORFdot0
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        210 months ago

        You aren’t wrong

        • @Crashumbc
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          110 months ago

          Except you think they’re actually using the money for charity, when it is actually a way to pass the money to children/heirs without paying inheritance tax…

          • @TORFdot0
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            210 months ago

            These philanthropy projects are definitely tax shields but they actually do have to do charitable work to keep their tax-exempt status.

            • @Crashumbc
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              110 months ago

              In theory, reality is not so much. Many of them do very very little.