Billionaire Bill Gates wants to make one thing perfectly clear: he'll pay whatever the tax man wants. The Microsoft boss, the country's richest guy, has been mocked in recent press accounts for trying to get a reduction in the property taxes on his mammoth new home in Medina, Washington. The cost of Gates's stately pleasure dome has been estimated at upwards of $50 million, which could result in a hefty tax bill from the King County assessor's office. Gates has argued that the tax assessment should be based on what the property could be resold for, an amount he claims is far less than the cost of building the sprawling, high-tech estate. Here's a selection of correspondence from a Gates representative, including an October 1 letter in which county officials are assured that Gates will be making "full and complete payment of his taxes." Phew! That's a relief. (6 pages)
 		 

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