Bernie Sanders Releases Tax Returns, Paid At Federal Tax Rate Of 13.5% In 2014

Chicks On the Right ^ | 4/16/2016 | Red Dawn

[Beave Meister]

Did you watch CNN’s Democratic debate Thursday night? I actually did, and get this. I was entertained. Thoroughly entertained. I had a feeling it would be a bit more exciting, especially since Bernie Sanders has been out there questioning Hillionaire’s qualifications.

At one point, Dana Bash grilled Hillary on releasing the transcripts of her Wall Street speeches, and it was glorious.

“Secretary Clinton, if I may, Senator Sanders keeping bringing up the speeches that you gave to Goldman Sachs. So I’d like to ask you, so you’ve said that you don’t want to release the transcripts, until everybody does it, but if there’s nothing in those speeches that you think would change voters’ minds, why not just release the transcripts and put this whole issue to bed?” Bash asked.

Good Great question.

Hillary responded by saying it wasn’t an issue.

“You know, first of all — first of all, there isn’t an issue,” Hillary said. “When I was in public service serving as the senator from New York, I did stand up to the banks. I did make it clear that their behavior would not be excused.”

[Beave Meister]

Yeah, because Bernie uses those loopholes he doesn't want you to use. Because Bernie wants to KEEP HIS MONEY. Bernie doesn't want you to keep yours he wants you to PAY YOUR SHARE. It's the same old liberal/communist Bullsh!t "Do as I say, not as I do."

[proxy_user]

He takes itemized deductions for mortgage interest and state taxes. This is hardly a secret loophole, everybody does that.

[Steely Tom]

That means his total income tax rate is below the rate for long-term capital gains.

Is that what his entire income consists of?

Income tax on regular income is considerably higher, at least if your income is $175K, which is what a Senator makes.

[xkaydet65]

I make a little more than 100K. I deduct NY taxes, mortgage interst and 8K in charitable donations. I pay considerably more than 13.5%.

[grania]

Is it that because of his age he has some retirement incomes that are tax deductible or partially tax deductible? Retirement savings, Social Security, pensions etc? There are also some automatic credits that go with age.

There's nothing unusual about his income tax rate for his income. Taking available deductions isn't hypocritical, it's following the law.

[MIA_eccl1212]

Dang I almost feel sorry for the poor guy. That is pathetic for a us Senator.

[proxy_user]

Well, here is his PDF:

http://www.taxhistory.org/thp/presreturns.nsf/Returns/9900B87E8AE6AF0C85257EB4004E9F66/$file/B_Sanders_2014.pdf

His AGI is $205,271, and he takes $56,377 in itemized deductions and two personal exemptions for $7900. Taxable income is $140,964, tax is $26,961. In order to compute the tax, you take $140,964, multiply by .25, and subtract $8287. It looks all correct to me.

[proxy_user]

His pension amount of $4,982 is fully taxable. His social security of $46,213 is 85% taxable, so he does dodge the tax on about $5K there.

[Tijeras_Slim]

He should have deducted his followers as “dependants” because they’re needy enough.

[grania]

Once in an interview Sanders stated that his taxes are so basic that his wife does them. There is something Sanders and Trump share. They're on opposite sides of things financially. But they're both honest spokesmen for their financial situations. They both understand that accepting large donor money for a campaign is giving away control of ones decisions.

Sanders doing so well on those small donations is a statement the elite best not ignore. Trump, on the other side of the coin, gets some small "thank you" donations. Instead he sells merchandise. It would be interesting to know how many folks buy merchandise and what was the average price of each purchase. I find it fascinating and totally consistent that Trump would rather sell me a tee shirt for $25 than have me send a $25 donation.