Posted on 02/26/2016 2:22:17 PM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
Donald Trump claims he can't release his tax returns until he's done being audited by the IRS. But the federal agency on Friday said that's not true.
"Federal privacy rules prohibit the IRS from discussing individual tax matters. Nothing prevents individuals from sharing their own tax information," a spokesperson for the IRS said in a statement.
The Republican presidential front-runner's refusal to release his tax documents came up repeatedly during Thursday's GOP debate, hours after former Republican nominee Mitt Romney suggested that Trump's reluctance stems from the possibility there might be a "bombshell" in his taxes.
"I want to [release them], except for many years, I've been audited every year," Trump said during the debate. "Twelve years, or something like that. Every year they audit me, audit me, audit me. Nobody gets audited - I have friends that are very wealthy people. They never get audited. I get audited every year. I will absolutely give my return, but I'm being audited now for two or three years, so I can't do it until the audit is finished, obviously. And I think people would understand that."
While the IRS claims nothing is preventing the billionaire from releasing the information, Steven Golburd, an attorney specializing in tax law, told the Washington Post Friday it may indeed be in Trump's best interest to keep them private.
"Think of an audit as an investigation, an on-going investigation," Goldburd said. "Any person that has legal counsel, their legal counsel will say, 'If you're under investigation, you should not be talking to the media, you should not be talking to anyone other than your legal counsel or through your legal counsel.'"
Trump doubled down on his refusal to release his returns during a campaign rally Friday in Fort Worth, Texas. The billionaire told the crowd that Romney didn't release his tax returns until Sept. 21, 2012 - less than two months before voters cast their ballots in the 2012 presidential election.
You certainly are concerned with this subject, Heidi.
If you can’t trust the IRS who can you trust?
As a matter of fact, if he’s never been charged with a tax crime, there is nothing in those returns that would disqualify a candidate.
Romney’s guesses:
1 He isn’t worth as much as he claims. Who the hell cares?
2 He didn’t pay as much tax as he “should”. Too damn bad.
3 He didn’t really give money to charities. I’ve watched him match charitable donations on his tv show for years. Do you think he didn’t donate to all those charities after publicly doing it about 100 times???
I want a president not a tax accountant.
So let’s see Obama’s tax returns since when he was at Harvard, and all his parking tickets, speeding tickets, college transcripts and HIV and HPV status.
Government agencies didn’t seem to be too interested in getting information about Obama.
And the DC insiders wonder why they are hated.
Well, if Trump is giving or appearing to give false information about IRS procedures, then they have a right to correct that, don't they? One could have interpreted his statement last night to mean he was being prevented by the IRS from releasing his returns while they were being audited...
IRS is now getting involved publicly in Presidential elections?
That’s what this government has come to. I won’t cheer it.
Your TDS probably kept you from reading past the headline, but here’s the money shot:
“While the IRS claims nothing is preventing the billionaire from releasing the information, Steven Golburd, an attorney specializing in tax law, told the Washington Post Friday it may indeed be in Trump’s best interest to keep them private.”
I’m sure there’s never been a candidate with tax returns more complicated than Trumps.
I say we invoke Pelosi’s Law: Trump doesn’t have to show anybody his taxes until he gets the nomination! ha ha.
I think Romney should dress in a chicken suit and follow Trump around over this. I think Trump would kick his sorry ass.
And after voting for Romney, yes he is a despicable sorry piece of garbage. He who troubleth his own house, inherits the wind.
Romney and tha GOPe are dead to me.
Waiting for (insert excuse here) before releasing the fatal documents is EXACTLY the plan. Wait until its too late, after the Nomination or the best candidates have all dropped out. Wait until all the normal people (non-libs) are frothing with hatred for each other.
This is the perfect (and likely ONLY) plan to elect another Clinton.
Well, if Trump is giving or appearing to give false information about IRS procedures, then they have a right to correct that, don’t they? One could have interpreted his statement last night to mean he was being prevented by the IRS from releasing his returns while they were being audited...
I don’t recall Mr. Trump ever mentioning that it was an IRS audit. I do remember him saying his attorneys would not let him release them.
I do NOT trust the motives of the IRS and NEVER will. I’m glad to know you trust them and protect their “rights”.
Yeah, 12 years ago, when Trump was a candidate.
SO the IRS has joined the campaign against Trump?
I would be real careful when challenging Trump, especially his Tax Returns. Chances are extremely HIGH you will lose and be forced to Admit you are a fool. Trump is a smart cookie, underestimate NOTHING, Take NOTHING for granted.
This is a trap if there ever was one.
No one in their right mind would make their returns public during an audit, especially in this politically charged situation. That is insane. Any tax attorney who recommended such a thing would probably be disbarred.
What a crock of BS. The two of you are doing your best in attempting to destroy this country. Why not come right out and volunteer to work for Clinton or Sanders?
Trump should not release anything while under audit. Any Tax Attorney will tell you not to.
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