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IRS: Trump can release tax returns, regardless of audit [W:200]

lb_on_teh_cb said:
i wonder why the IRS suddenly volunteers this information? its not like they've been politicized or something.
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They were probably asked. While i agree they have been politicized, government agencies have a legal obligation under the Freedom Of Information Act to provide non-classified, non-PII, and non-FOUO information upon request.
 
GPS_Flex said:
Think of it like a company requiring a drug screening before hiring a job candidate. The American people want to know that their Presidential Candidates are honest. The Trumptards obviously don't care how dishonest Trump is because they'll vote for him no matter what.
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As we already know, all politicians are dishonest and liars. They have failed our country for decades. Why not try a dishonest liar without the political baggage? This is a nonsensical argument.
 
I suspect the real reason Trump is holding back is because the returns will show he is NOT as wealthy as he claims to be.

He is like the braggart groom who tells his new wife she better bring a yardstick to the wedding night to get the true measure of the man and then we find out half a standard ruler was plenty enough.
 
haymarket said:
I suspect the real reason Trump is holding back is because the returns will show he is NOT as wealthy as he claims to be.

He is like the braggart groom who tells his new wife she better bring a yardstick to the wedding night to get the true measure of the man and then we find out half a standard ruler was plenty enough.
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Perhaps.

But I think it's likely Mr. Trump, like Gov Romney before him, realize that with the amount and level of business deals before them, they will be giving their opponents and the public plenty to scrutinize and turn into debate and political fodder.

Not the least of which may be: "Why does a struggling working near-poverty family making under $50K a year, very likely pay more taxes (as a percentage of income) than the billionaire?
 
Chomsky said:
Perhaps.

But I think it's likely Mr. Trump, like Gov Romney before him, realize that with the amount and level of business deals before them, they will be giving their opponents and the public plenty to scrutinize and turn into debate and political fodder.

Not the least of which may be: "Why does a struggling working near-poverty family making under $50K a year, very likely pay more taxes (as a percentage of income) than the billionaire?
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No doubt that is a large part of it also. How long do you think Trump can hold out on presenting his returns to the public?
 
Winchester said:
I don't understand why any politician would release their tax returns.
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I don't either.

It is none of our business what his, or any other candidate's, tax returns look like.
 
Frank Apisa said:
I don't either.

It is none of our business what his, or any other candidate's, tax returns look like.
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Right or wrong - for good or for ill - that ship has sailed. Now its expected.
 
haymarket said:
Right or wrong - for good or for ill - that ship has sailed. Now its expected.
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Okay...so it goes from "Why doesn't Donald Trump release his tax returns?" to "Why doesn't Donald Trump do what is expected?"

You are right. That is a much easier question to deal with.
 
Frank Apisa said:
Okay...so it goes from "Why doesn't Donald Trump release his tax returns?" to "Why doesn't Donald Trump do what is expected?"

You are right. That is a much easier question to deal with.
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When precedents are set, its difficult to then go against them without stirring up a hornets nest. But if anyone can go against them and survive - its Trump. The problem is that while his devotees will NOT care about unreleased tax returns in the primary season, there is enough of the general pubic who will care about this in November.
 
haymarket said:
No doubt that is a large part of it also. How long do you think Trump can hold out on presenting his returns to the public?
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All bets are off with the erratic Mr. Trump! I dunno. He breaks all the rules, but Sen Cruz seems to be pushing the issue hard, so who knows?

But Gov Romney lasted longer than I thought, and for awhile I thought he may get away without producing them.

I also thought Romney's initially not producing his returns and seemingly getting away with it politically, was a bad precedent in terms of what's good for the American people.

But I think the impetus to get Trump to produce his returns will come from the Primary, if at all. I can't imagine the Secy being anxious to get into a discussion about financials! All Trump has to do is link her directly to their foundation, and her 'anti sleazy billionaire' argument goes out the window!

If I had to bet, I'd say he'll stick to his guns and not produce them. I would never personally discuss my returns in public if I was under audit, similar to the way I would never discuss an ongoing legal case in public!
 
lb_on_teh_cb said:
its kinda like transcripts
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I get the Obama reference. But is there as much precedent for college transcripts being released as their is tax returns? Do you know the actual situation for other candidates on this because I do not?
 
Frank Apisa said:
I don't either.

It is none of our business what his, or any other candidate's, tax returns look like.
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I disagree.

I believe how one handles their personal finances is one attribute (of many), that can help a voter determine the suitability of a candidate.

And in political terms, if the other guy does it, as a voter I'd like to know why you're not as forthcoming and transparent as your opponent?
 
haymarket said:
I get the Obama reference. But is there as much precedent for college transcripts being released as their is tax returns? Do you know the actual situation for other candidates on this because I do not?
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nah, i just remember what they did to Rick Perry.

im not sure there is a reason for either being released but college transcripts (and medical history) would seem more important than tax return info. we can already see who is wealthy, as in Trump and Romney.
 
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I have two points to make about this IRS - Trump - tax return situation that I haven't seen made yet.

1. Trump didn't say that the IRS was refusing to let him make his return public. That means this statement from the IRS is useless and irrelevant and, if anyone asked the IRS about it, that questioner got the whole thing wrong. Given the state of our media these days, I wouldn't find that in the least bit surprising.

But...if Trump wasn't talking about the IRS when he said he CAN'T release his tax info, what the heck was he talking about? Here is a very reasonable answer:

2.
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.'"

IRS to Trump: 'Nothing prevents you from sharing your tax documents' | Washington Examiner
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Now...I know it's fun to speculate...especially if you just don't like Trump. But hey, y'all...how about using your brains for a change?
 
lb_on_teh_cb said:
nah, i just remember what they did to Rick Perry.

im not sure there is a reason for either being released but college transcripts (and medical history) would seem more important than tax return info. we can already see who is wealthy, as in Trump and Romney.
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Gotta disagree with that. Somebody goes to college and graduates - I could really not care less about what grade that got in some class thirty or forty years ago. I do care where a person gets their money as it often tells us where their CURRENT allegiance is and who is the piper making them dance the way they do. In other words - what masters do they serve? I want to know that and its tons more important than an old GPA.
 
haymarket said:
Gotta disagree with that. Somebody goes to college and graduates - I could really not care less about what grade that got in some class thirty or forty years ago. I do care where a person gets their money as it often tells us where their CURRENT allegiance is and who is the piper making them dance the way they do. In other words - what masters do they serve? I want to know that and its tons more important than an old GPA.
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yeah but are you gonna see that on their tax return? i think youre talking abt donors, no?
 
lb_on_teh_cb said:
yeah but are you gonna see that on their tax return? i think youre talking abt donors, no?
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Lets find out. I think it will tell us quite a bit. Like Hillary - it would be nice to see all those people who paid her big bucks to give short speeches.
 
haymarket said:
Lets find out. I think it will tell us quite a bit. Like Hillary - it would be nice to see all those people who paid her big bucks to give short speeches.
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eh, you might have a point.

i thought for Romney (and Trump) it would be pretty straightforward and show income from Bain Capital(?) or whoever else employed him and that was it. but in his case (does he make appearances and give speeches for $$ also?) and Trump as well some interesting stuff could show up. for the Clintons i thought they are able to hide most of that speech money in their Foundation.

maybe the parties should decide on what needs to be released ahead of time

btw, at least Bernie seems honest. i doubt they would find anything interesting in his tax returns.
 
Mycroft said:
I have two points to make about this IRS - Trump - tax return situation that I haven't seen made yet.

1. Trump didn't say that the IRS was refusing to let him make his return public. That means this statement from the IRS is useless and irrelevant and, if anyone asked the IRS about it, that questioner got the whole thing wrong. Given the state of our media these days, I wouldn't find that in the least bit surprising.

But...if Trump wasn't talking about the IRS when he said he CAN'T release his tax info, what the heck was he talking about? Here is a very reasonable answer:

2.

Now...I know it's fun to speculate...especially if you just don't like Trump. But hey, y'all...how about using your brains for a change?
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We don't need no stinkin thinkin. :agree
 
joG said:
It is certainly information that a voter might want to have. It is sort of like wanting to know how loyal and honest candidates have been on adhering to their marriage contract,the success they had socializing their kids or their police record. These things all say something about a person and can reveal more about them than the candidate's policy statement.
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Hillary has fought for years to avoid releasing the details of her government job. Trump should demand a quid pro quo. All the documents on the same table at the same time.
 
haymarket said:
I suspect the real reason Trump is holding back is because the returns will show he is NOT as wealthy as he claims to be.

He is like the braggart groom who tells his new wife she better bring a yardstick to the wedding night to get the true measure of the man and then we find out half a standard ruler was plenty enough.
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When Trump first announced, one of the reasons we should not vote for him is that he was too wealthy. Now we shouldn't vote for him because he is not wealthy enough.

All these new demands are nothing more than Trump dissenters who have run out of ideas looking for a gotcha moment. Chances are they won't find one but will just make something up. Romney of sall people should know this.
 
I suspect the call by Romney "hinting" at surprises, is an attempt to get Trump to produce them now, because the Democrats already have the information gleaned from the IRS. So Trump needs to wake up and release them. The audit excuse sounds like BS to me.

What is not BS, is not only are the Democrats after Trump, the Republicans are. And so are the billionaires who really own this country. The only support Trump the Chump seems to have is Joe and Jane Six Pack who's paycheck is shrinking.

Motive: both parties, plus establishment billionaires feel their power is at risk.
Means: IRS gives up information illegally on enemies, and leaves no "fingerprints".
Opportunity: He's an outlier and "political morality" demands that he must be stopped at all costs.

There is a "Anyone but Trump" movement by the owners of 90% of the wealth of the country who are afraid they are going to have their power diluted. If they can't stop him with soft power, he'd better hope he is wearing a bullet proof vest.
 
jimbo said:
When Trump first announced, one of the reasons we should not vote for him is that he was too wealthy. Now we shouldn't vote for him because he is not wealthy enough.

All these new demands are nothing more than Trump dissenters who have run out of ideas looking for a gotcha moment. Chances are they won't find one but will just make something up. Romney of sall people should know this.
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So lets find out then just how wealthy he is one way or the other.
 
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