Bill Gates told the World Economic Forum that countries, companies and individuals who have the most "should be pushed to be more generous."

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.

  • @AA5B
    6•10 months ago

    The point of a charity is the wealth is no longer owned by the donor, and it has to be used for one of a few purposes in the public interest. Depending on how the charity is incorporated, I believe some have minimums they must pay out.

    Regardless, really?

    • Ann Archy
      4•10 months ago

      It’s really not that simple, and depends on such a ridiculous amount of variables. If you think these multibillionaires are giving away their money out of the kindness of their hearts you’re deluded.

      • @iAvicenna
        2•10 months ago

        Where there are many variables, one can always find ways to nudge things in the right ways so that you can get from point A to any other point B despite many other constraints put on your movements.

    • @[email protected]English
      3•10 months ago

      So? You know that Bill can’t really spend all his money so the extra wealth is used to influence policy on national and global scale. Charity is a perfect tool for that and Bill used his to influence American education policy for decades. The “it’s not my money, I don’t control it” is just PR and tax avoidance scheme.