At an event at the eastern Seattle suburb home of Jeff Brotman, founder of the low-cost supermarket chain Costco, Obama spoke before some 65 people who each paid $17,900 to attend, and made a point of referencing the Microsoft founder.
"If you agree with Mr Gates here, that we have to have a balanced approach... then all the marbles are right here," said Obama, who has pushed for Congress to reach a more "fair" tax design for the country's most wealthy citizens pay more in taxes and lift a burden on the middle or lower classes.
Obama was scheduled to return to Washington DC late Friday after a three-day tour that included fundraisers in California and a visit to the Boeing headquarters in Washington state.
On Friday, officials revealed Obama had raised $29 million towards his reelection bid in January alone. By contrast, Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney raised some $24 million during the last three months of 2011, his campaign team said last month.