A recent post on the Oxford University Press Blog entitled “The continuing benefits (and costs) of the Giving Pledge” argues that new laws should be created that tax some of this money going to charity.
In the absence of such a law, the author encourages the billionaires taking the pledge to voluntarily give some of the money to the federal treasury. Of course, since many people do not believe that estates should be taxed at all not everyone will agree with the author’s position.
Nevertheless, it is an interesting question to think about.
Should billionaires who are giving their money away to private charities also feel an obligation to give something to the federal government?