Just a thought - maybe you can answer it.

[airbball23]

So Bill Gates is in charge of one of the largest charitable organizations in the world. Now reading up on Warren Buffet and how's he's going to donate 85% of his wealth to the organization; my question to you guys is:

1. Do you think Gates created the organization out of pure philanthropic thinking?

or

2. He created this to help with his taxes and get a break from the government?

or

3. A man of his wealth can care less about paying the government taxes and he's doing it for the right reasons?

just a thought.

 

[invisible777]

Probably a mix of all 3

 

[axxomarketing]

Nobody can answer it except Bill himself.

 

[Supergeek]

So Bill Gates is in charge of one of the largest charitable organizations in the world. Now reading up on Warren Buffet and how's he's going to donate 85% of his wealth to the organization; my question to you guys is:

1. Do you think Gates created the organization out of pure philanthropic thinking?

or

2. He created this to help with his taxes and get a break from the government?

or

3. A man of his wealth can care less about paying the government taxes and he's doing it for the right reasons?

just a thought.

After a certain amount of wealth, you really can't spend any more. Plus, there are plenty of other tax shelters.

 

[WildGunner]

I think it's 1 and 3, but it doesn't matter why, as long as people get helped.

 

[clownstep]

it's obviously 1+2/3+(1x3)

 

[John]

His wife made him do it...

 

[kofiannan]

I would say he did it because that kind of stuff runs in his family (his mum was a really well respected charity fundraiser).

 

[shithappens]

I think to even consider option #2 is retarded. After a certain point it just doesn't matter anymore.

 

[ffblueocean]

It would be nice if he would share the wealth with more of us!

 

[johu]

I don't think #2 is the reason, because after a certain point, I believe that donations can't reduce taxes any further.

Believe it or not, Warren Buffet is one of the most vocal critics of the current tax system and how much it rewards the richest Americans, at the expense of the middle class - YouTube - TAXES: Warren Buffett - Rich Taxed Too Little, Poor Too Much and YouTube - Warren Buffett's Tax Rate is Lower than His Secretary's . Past a certain point, I don't think deductions matter.

 

[-Matt-]

Just like Rockefeller did, he is being philanthropic for the purpose of being viewed as a good guy before he dies.