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Bill Gates' Taxes Require Special Computer

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the oh-to-have-his-troubles dept.

NightWulf writes "News AU claims Bill Gates said in an interview, his fortune is so big, that the IRS needs a special computer, because a normal one can't handle the numbers. The IRS must have had to switch from PC's to Macs just for Gates."

12 of 428 comments (clear)

  1. You can't be serious. by bigtallmofo · · Score: 4, Informative

    I have an idea, if your fortune gets to be so large that even the IRS can't figure it all out, you should be required to give some of it away to the poor until they can do the necessary calculations.

    Part of the problem is likely that Gates gives so much to the poor already. He's the richest man in the world, but name someone that gives more money to the poor than he.

    --
    I'm a big tall mofo.
    1. Re:You can't be serious. by demigod · · Score: 2, Informative
      ...name someone that gives more money to the poor than he.

      Name someone who has as much money to give as he has. If I had half as much money as Bill, I'd give more than he does.

      I don't think it would be hard to find lots of people who give a larger percentage of thier wealth to the poor.

      Some people give 'tell it hurts. I don't think Bill fells the pain.

      I do remember Ted Turner giving $1 Billion over ten years to the UN (a little less than a third his net worth at the time). The UN is not exactly "the poor" though.

      Andrew Carnegie gave away 70% of his fortune

      Don't get me wrong. I'm glad to see Bill give any money to charity, but one has to wonder with so much more money than he can use, why he doesn't give more.

      --
      "The last thing I want to do is deal with a bunch of people who want something."
      Major Major
  2. Re:W.ealth O.verload P.lanned R.esponse by cryfreedomlove · · Score: 2, Informative

    You can sneer at his wealth all you want but he has already founded the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, the world's largest charitable foundation. That's a good thing.

  3. Re:I don't buy it by AviLazar · · Score: 4, Informative

    I highly doubt it. Billy may be the richest man in the world, but the IRS - frequently - deals with large numbers ranging in the billions and trillions. Considering the IRS does consolidation reports to report to their bosses - so their bosses can say "This year, Americans earned XYZ dollars". Billy G is a drop in the hat...yea larger then what we put in the hat...by an insane amount....but still a drop in the bucket.

    --

    I mod down so you can mod up. Your welcome.
  4. Re:A joke? by C10H14N2 · · Score: 2, Informative

    There's an old one out there about Nelson Rockefeller, whose dyslexia was so bad that papers had to be numbered "Page One, Two, Three" etc. When asked how he filed his tax returns, he laughed and said "son, I have five floors of accountants just for that." ...granted, I imagine there's more literal truth to that story than this one.

  5. Merrill Lynch, 1987, payroll system had same thing by gelfling · · Score: 2, Informative

    We had to modify our payroll system in 1987 to be able to cut a check with 8 digits to the left of the decimal for one broker.

  6. WHO by Mark_MF-WN · · Score: 3, Informative

    Don't forget the enormous amount of money he donates to the WHO, not to mention paying for immunizations for hundreds of thousands of American kids. The Gates have become world-class philanthropists, and yet they get almost no credit for it. Humility in charity is an impressive thing.

    1. Re:WHO by sjf · · Score: 3, Informative

      I have plenty of problems with Bill Gates, but I applaud his charitable giving. However, I can't accept your accusation of humility: it is called the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation after all, not AFAIK (Aid For Africa In Kind) or something more anonymous. And, anyone who has listen to NPR knows that BMGF is a regular sponsor. There's no humility here: this is about Bill's image. On the other hand, that's fine with me, I don't doubt that he's doing some good at the same time.

  7. Re:Is this the Intel Math bug??? by Flummox · · Score: 2, Informative

    There is no state income tax in Washington... so no worries there.

  8. Re:I don't buy it by hey! · · Score: 2, Informative

    Exxon-Mobile just posted a quarterly profit of 10^10$, up from 9.9x10^9$ in the prior quarter. Each of these figures was a record setter.

    --
    Post may contain irony: discontinue use if experiencing mood swings, nausea or elevated blood pressure.
  9. Re:That taxes requires a computer at all is a sham by pablodiazgutierrez · · Score: 2, Informative

    Because flat taxes with no other means of compensation make the rich richer and the poor poorer, and a strong and well populated middle class is the base for any stable political system.

    --

    To do list for Windows
  10. Re:Nah, this is BS by failedlogic · · Score: 2, Informative

    Your answer IS BS.

    Your answer presumes that Chuck Norris pays taxes. He is the only American that is able to scare the tax man away, simply by scaring him down. I hear Chuck doesn't even get mail (let alone the tax form delivered to his house). They have to use one of those remote controlled police SWAT robots to devlier his mail.

    Too far? Yeah, I know. But Chuck doesn't know where I live..... (hope not!!).