I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Trump receives millions back from the Government as "Tax Refunds" from his Properties Taxes that he Never Paid through depreciation schemes and that's funding his Empire US Slubs !
2
Whatever's in there, you can be sure that Fox News won't say a word about it.
20
I think he probably pays very little or nothing in taxes. We know Trump hates Amazon. When it was revealed that Amazon paid zero in corporate taxes, Trump said nothing. Was that because he didn't pay any taxes either?
13
What is already known about Trump would be more than enough to destroy any politician who is not the beneficiary of irrational faith based support. While revealing his tax returns may prove embarrassing the revelations will not impact the support of his base. The peripheral investigations that were spun off from by Mueller are also likely to prove ineffective in reducing Trump¡s hard-core support. Trump can best be attacked on a policy level. Healthcare, tax policy and reckless foreign policy are Trump's major vulnerabilities. Environmental policy may also be an issue of increasing importance. Trump's major area of strength is his immigration hardline and his recent behavior reveals that this is the area upon which he will most rely. Democrats can counter Trump's strategy by making it clear that they are not the party of open borders as Republicans have falsely claimed
18
He is worth nowhere near as much as he claims and that is why he is reluctant to release his taxes
15
Trump learned a long time ago that the real money/opportunity is outside of the "law-abiding" world. Hence the interest in doing business in such obscure places as Azerbaijan. It is also notable how much animosity Trump shows toward FCPA, as well as his desire to repeal it.
Trump likely has experience in an underworld few of us would ever know. He knows he'll find the cover he needs from the corrupt dictators and cronies with whom he has associated.
14
There have been media interviews with representatives of Jewish New York investors who have claimed they rode on the back of Trumps name. Being openly aligned to the state of Israel is a sort of entry qualification to this club. That would explain Trumps policy towards Israel.
7
Many years ago I had a business next door to a small hardware store that was on the market for sale. One day when talking to the owner he told me he had three sets of books.One that was true and no one saw it but him.One to use for taxes and the IRS. and one to show a prospective buyer.
I would guess the same is true for trump, but even more so.
26
We shouldn't forget that Trump's accountant has made some sort of agreement with investigators and they may know a lot more than his client's tax records would reveal.
Ironically, the president's behavior and statements are the reason that his business records are of intense interest. It's not just that he appears obsessed with keeping them from public view or that the party he appropriated enabled him to break an important precedent and flatly refuse to comply using a bogus excuse. Those things are obvious.
What's much more disturbing is the fact that he refused to divest his businesses upon taking office and per usual, lied about keeping boundaries between his family, his business and the job he was elected to do.
Then there is the fact that this American businessman has not been able to get any substantial American financing since his multiple bankruptcies in the 80's, which means almost all of the money he borrows or is invested in his businesses comes from abroad. That makes him a national security risk and I daresay if he wasn't president, there is no way he would ever get that clearance for completely rational reasons.
True he gets money from his playgrounds for the rich, but many operate at a loss. Trump created a mystery and it's laughable for him to suggest there's anything strange about people wanting to solve it.
31
@pixilated - There is no mystery. In addition to other potentially shady business, there is clear evidence that Trump has been money laundering for decades. Rich Saudis and Russians are especially among his clients in recent years, explaining why he does what they want now as POTUS.
That's why his apparently legitimate businesses typically show a loss. They serve to just provide tax deductions.
13
Real Estate developers in NYC are so shady. The collusion with NY Politicians should be explored. Money changing hands.
11
We already know he is crooked. Now we are entitled to find out how and how much. He is supposed to be a public servant. He, of course, doesn't see it that way.
16
Trump's deceit and treachery has already become legend. Most do not believe one word out of his mouth. He will never be honest about anything. His tentacles deception and disinformation will try to block the real story of who he is. But it will all come out eventually and we will find it is even more bizarre than we can imagine. Too bad for the US we have a person like this serving as President. He is not someone anyone should want to emulate; Morally or Ethically!
22
Pro Publica had a great article how the 01% avoid taxes with shell companies, LLC’s and Junior and Senior Debt. Some of the Junior Debt issued by Banks like Deutsche Bank will never get paid. The US treasury can not win ever against high priced teams of lawyers with unlimited time, billing and expertise against an understaffed and under paid Internal Revenue Service. Trump is an expert at this.
57
@Sailorgirl
And he's got the backing of the GOP in this. Does anyone ever wonder why we have so many wealthy members of Congress? They just want to serve--themselves, of course!
13
I hope to learn how Trump and Kushner families are enriching themselves through the presidency. No doubt Donald has been very aggressive in avoiding taxes. Maybe the public will see how his advantage leaves the middle class to pay the piper and fund society which he so frequently criticizes.
79
@FreedomRocks76
I hope to learn how much he gained from the new 20% pass-through tax deduction.
21
"The New York Times found [President Trump] participated in fraudulent tax schemes"
Hopefully, the evidence accumulated by the Times was passed on to the Internal Revenue Service.
11
Obama showed us his birth certificate, Trump must do the same with his tax return !
16
Trumpty Dumpty is fit to be tied,
When his taxes reveal how much he has lied.
He’ll sniff & he’ll snarl - and attack wildly,
Any and all who would dare disagree.
7
One would think that with all Trump has said about his wealth that he would be proud to show the world his returns. His voters seem to approve wholeheartedly of his refusal to show them as apparently "owning the libs" is their primary goal. I'm not surprised as his base is more than happy to be sucker-punched 24/7 by the Trump administration and the Republican Party as long as they're raising the ire of Democrats.
11
We already know he's never been a billionaire. We know he is a tax cheat. We know he is an heroically incompetent businessman who is in hock to Russian lenders. Release of his tax returns will change nothing among Trump supporters - they'll continue to support him unconditionally. For never-Trumpers, his tax returns don't bring much to the table. We already have Donald Trump's number. Let's just focus on 2020 and ridding our nation of this toxic "president."
15
How do you buy expensive golf resorts with cash?
The potential source of cash would seem to be the root of all evil in Trump world.
The way things are going, by next week, Rep. Neal will be under investigation by Trump's Justice Department for his attempted espionage of Trump, where the bucks stop.
5
When can we see Mr. I'm Smart's grades and written evaluations by his teachers in military high school and college? How much did his father pay to get him in?
10
While we poor, foolish shlubs pay our taxes in full, people like the president make a mockery of our support for our nation. Republicans ought to wake up to this fact. If there weren't so many Senators and Congresspersons getting similar tax advice as the president, perhaps this would translate into fair laws and reasonable taxation for all.
10
"Mr. Trump’s son Eric once told a journalist that the Trump Organization’s golf properties were paid for with Russian money. Eric Trump has denied making that statement."
Hah! Roll that beautiful bean footage!
9
@SuLee - Eric said that back in 2013, when he had no reason to lie about the Russian money. Back in about 2010, Don Jr said something about Russians providing a disproportionate mount of money for Trump projects. He also had no need to lie about that in 2010. He was just talking about where their money was coming from. They all started denying they had contacts with Russians only when Trump Sr was running for President. But actually Russians had been encouraging Trump to run for President for years.
We just have to pay more attention to Russian social media and regular media. For example, Russian media have been saying for quite a while that Putin and Trump are in frequent communication. But all we see are the oddly private talks they have at international conferences. Is Trump's unsecured phone one way they communicate? Is someone like Sean Hannity (who talks on the phone with Trump frequently and visits Trump) a go-between?
6
This battle for transparency is likely to play out until the 2020 election. Donald Trump thinks he has his team in place to slow things down while he continues his fact free defense for his noncompliance.
He could be thwarted by one or both of the following events:
1. The Senate flips this year, if enough voters wake up. (Mitch McConnell would not be missed.
2. Documents are leaked.
When and if they are finally revealed, they will no doubt resemble the tangled mess that sits atop his head.
12
The depreciation deduction allows a write-off while the asset is held. So there is a tax benefit. When the asset is sold, the depreciation taken is taxed as income. For Trump to say that he writes off depreciation fails to point out that this only defers taxes until later, but does not avoid them. But there may be ways to avoid this taxation, say by transferring ownership of the asset in some arcane way. Trump's tax returns may shed light on whether or not he ever paid the taxes due when depreciated property changes hands. Another way that Trump actually saved on taxes is by taking a huge loss on a business. In 1995 the loss was $917 million. Tax law says that if a loan is defaulted, say be a business failure, then the defaulted loan balance is income, and is taxed. So this too is a form of tax deferral rather than tax avoidance. For the losses in 1995, Trump may have found a way to avoid the tax on the loans back then, possibly by transferring the mortgage to another entity so that Trump was not the person whose loan was forgiven. While we may not see returns going back that far, to the extent that Trump had recent holdings that defaulted on loans, the returns will show if Trump paid the tax due on the forgiven loans. Does Trump actually pay the deferred taxes on depreciation and forgiven loans? If not, how does he legally avoid those taxes due?
10
Something to remember here is that the real estate business does in fact provide tremendous opportunities for legal tax avoidance. In olden days though the passing of those holdings to the next generation would have triggered the estate tax - basically having to finally pay the piper for all those years of tax avoidance.
The R lust for eliminating the estate tax tho has blunted that - taxes are now avoided permanently.
8
Donald Trump is doing everything possible to prevent the release of his tax returns. From Trump's own statements and Michael Cohen's testimony I think Congress and the American people should see his tax returns. If he really is under audit then that should be very easy to confirm by an IRS official.
I don't know why Mncuchin is willing to ignore the law to prevent us from seeing Trump's taxes. I wonder if Barr told him that it's fine with the Department of Justice if Mnuchin ignores the law.
Along with the Mueller report Trump's taxes could provide facts so that Congress and the American people can see for themselves how Donald Trump operates.
10
@Javaforce Audits from when? Not all his taxes are under audit, even if they are, that DOES NOT prohibit the release of said taxes.
So, there is that.
9
Trump's tax returns only shed light on his tax payments or non-payments. I am tired of seeing uninformed ignorant talking heads on TV stating the tax returns will demonstrate ties to Russia or some wrongdoing.
The Trump Organization's income or loss flows up to the individual 1040. It's just a lump sum number along with other pass-through items. The corporate returns are the real action.
1
@Edward V That is incorrect. there are many lines on tax forms like his (he doesn't fill out a simple 1040-geez) will show much more than the one you fill out.
4
@Edward V
Defend your country, not the man. Why do Trump supporters, especially ones who aren't wealthy, so vigorously defend Trump's "right" to be crooked?
6
I’m afraid the tax return hunt will be all for not as Trump is a slippery son of a gun who butts up against the law but it’s hard to catch him crossing the line. Avoiding breaking the law but flaunting the law is his MO. So good luck...”catch me if you can” laughs Trump.
8
@Liz McDougall I would replace "slippery" with Slimy!
9
This wind blows both ways.
A forensic examination of his taxes by IRS experts is overdue.
His insistence today on hiding them, after promising American People he would provide them after the election, has proven to be a lie. Our president is clearly a liar. What do you suppose he's hiding?
13
Trump's tax returns are just one of the suspicious things about him. It is becoming increasingly obvious that Trump is a law unto himself and he thinks that he can do and say whatever he likes and as President he is untouchable. Perhaps he is, but come the day when he no longer holds that position he might well find that there is a day of reckoning.
13
I think the tone of this article is wrong. A fishing expedition for tax evasion or simply unseemly stuff would support the Republican charges that it's all partisan efforts by "out-of-control" Democrats. The reason to investigate his financial dealings (and i don't know that tax returns are sufficient) is to settle, once and for all, whether his odd deference to Russia, Saudi Arabia etc. is due to his financial ties.
7
"Mr. Trump is the first president in four decades to not publicly release his tax returns. The refusal . . . has fanned suspicions that he has something to hide."
While I have no great expectations that his undisclosed tax returns will reveal any kind of Russian smoking gun, I think a larger concern or possibility is not listing and/or paying his fare share of taxes. Decisions to possibly under evaluate or simply not listing various items would not only be embarrassing, but a potential jackpot for the president.
Ordinary citizens who attempt to play fast and loose with the IRS finds themselves with huge fines and possible jail time. Aside from either scenario, what kind of message and role model would it be for this country if the president is allowed to get away with tax fraud? The old question of is he lied about his taxes, what else might he be lying about?
15
It is common in real estate to own an interest in a partnership that owns the property rather than own the property outright. His tax returns might show his proportionate income (loss) from partnerships rather than the revenues and expenses and debt of the properties. Which would be a lot less informative in explaining where his income is really coming from.
1
Congratulations to these journalists. This is such an important point.
While Mr. Trump’s tax returns would of course reveal many unflattering things about him, they wouldn’t begin to show the extent of his criminality.
Anyone who thinks Mr. Trump doesn’t cheat on his taxes, to the extent possible, and in every way possible, simply isn’t paying attention.
25
Ok, the Russia thing didn't work out. Back to the taxes!
3
Unfortunately, there is no tax schedule for listing money laundering proceeds.
20
So boring that he will do anything he can to keep them under wraps...
11
Like Manafort, Trumps primary sources of wealth seems to be from borrowing money from gullible bankers like Deutsche Bank and defaulting on the payment. Then borrow more money from the same bank to pay back the original loan until you decide to default on the second loan also. Some would call it stealing. Trump calls it being a smart businessman.
26
The most consequential issue in all of Trump's walls against disclosures e.g. the Mueller report and his tax records is whether Trump is a national security threat. (This is as though we don't already know his support of Putin's denial of interference in our elections is, in itself, aiding a hostile power in its goals to undermine our democracy.)
And don't we already have enough evidence of Trump's fraud. As stated in this piece, NYT found Trump participated in fraudulent tax schemes. That charge was good enough for Mafia bosses. At this point in Trump's capture of the DOJ, we should settle for what is already on record; NYT used business filings, public records and other sources in its investigation. Surely the SDNY has as much information. Waiting to collecting all the evidence of Trump's crimes is not a dalliance we have time for.
So don't impeach him; since Trump claims the privacy of a common citizen, hold him accountable for tax fraud as all common citizens are.
14
It’s not important how much he made or lost. Most people could care less about his tax returns.
He will be probably become one if the richest men in the world after his presidency.
If he stays healthy
1
@Independent voter
and out of jail
4
@Independent voter If I agreed with you, we would both be wrong. MOST WANT TO SEE THEM, just not his Drumpfers. SAD.
2
Any insight in to what this morally bankrupt president is up to would be welcome. The Un Redacted Muller Report or Trump’s Tax Returns all would be helpful. Never have I witnessed a political figure that so alarmed every fiber of my being. Granted, I felt Hillary was ethically challenged but Trump approaches “Pleased to meet you. I hope you’ve guessed my name” territory.
13
When I got out of college, I of course couldn't pay back my college loans.
I was hounded by a loan collector who kept calling me (a judas borrower who was paying off her own loans by collecting from other borrowers).
She said that she was from New York State Higher Education Assistance Corporation, and they could always track me down. She said that they got my personal information from the New York State tax authorities.
I said, do you mean that, if I file my federal returns, the federal government gives my personal information to the state tax authorities, and they give it to you?
She said, that's right. (An accountant later told me that was true.)
So for the rest of us, government agencies can get access to our tax returns.
But once you've packed the Supreme Court, they can always come up with reasons why the same laws don't apply to you.
26
My hope is that his tax returns will reveal enough information to cause his remaining supporters to doubt their choice. Consider...
While we digress into details such as his tax return, our adversaries are using our distraction to make major advances. Specifically, China's infrastructure project known as the Belt Road Initiative, has split the European Bloc and added Italy to the project. China is gobbling up countries throughout SE Asia.
This past week China refused to remove warships from Filipino waters. Whereas the Philippines once had a super power partner in the US, Trump has challenged that relationship.
Russia is expanding its footprint in the Arctic, coming ever closer to Alaska.
While we argue over the latest Trump debacle, the world is rapidly changing but worst of all is Trump's failure to address Climate Change.
If the tax returns help us him from office in 2020 or sooner via impeachment, God will once again Bless America.
15
The more Trump protests, the more we know that he has something extraordinary to hide.
The line his administration is feeding to the public is that the people elected him without his tax returns and that should be enough.
No that is not enough. The real question is, would he have been elected if he had released his tax returns?
Only the guilty have something to hide.
22
Those in NYC know well the frauds, crimes and law-avoidance schemes that Trump and his father have engaged in their whole lives. It would seem, for inexplicable reasons, that they were not held accountable for most in the past. That will be changed as we play catch-up.
By scrutinizing Trump's tax returns we can see where money is and has been and draw a road map to connect all the dots. I have no doubt that these paths will lead to many illegal and unscrupulous dealings, conflicts of interest, tax fraud, money laundering, bank fraud, etc. We may even find that Trump's-the-farud is financially under water and indebted to hostile powers.
We MUST have this data. The more Trump sidesteps and uses illogical excuses, the more suspect he is - and WOW is he now suspect. HE IS NOT ABOVE ANY LAW and stands as a shining example of what a grifter can do in a previously-trusting Democracy.
16
We demand trump’s return as strongly as we demand trump’s resignation. trump is a stain on America as is his administration, especially Barr and Mnuchin. Laws are in place and presidents and his staff should respect them.
11
I am so sick of all this. I don't care about the Muller report or his tax return. We need to move on and get people out to vote this guy out of office. Either the Muller report or his tax returns will show anything that would change anyone's mind, IMHO!
6
why should anyone care? there is no good rationale to bother and bluster about this despite what some might think, there are substantial other indicators that he must be performing well overall in his businesses despite some setbacks - which can also be expected when one attempts multiple business endeavors. the comments that follow to this article are mostly just internet - social media (the comment section in the NYtimes is really that) trolling with little content.
2
@sh Wrong! How about the Emoluments Clause that Trump routinely violates? Those who want the US to help stay at the Trump Hotel in DC, to influence Trump. This alone shows what a fraud and crook Trump is. He is a disgrace to the US and the world.
7
Mr. Trump doesn’t have mysteries but manufactured by main stream media including NYT, IMHO. He was treated unfairly compared to previous US Presidents. Why you would dig into everything inside out to find faults with him? For the sake of our nation, you should focus your energy on other issues which are more critical for our nation, for instance the challenges from China in every cylinder.
3
@Humble But, America may never have been led by an international crime syndicate before so I don't see how the attention given to Donald is unfair. Yes, and we do know Putin is profoundly concerned about China and needs the US to engage in conflict with them for his own criminal interests.
7
I have plenty of problems with the Democrats ideas on taxes and business policy, but Trump is unfit to even claim to represent his supporters. Do most of them get millions in depreciation deductions? Pay no income taxes? Make people go away by lying about the law’s disclosure requirements? How does the Republican leadership like McConnell have the gall to cover for him? Beyond his personal coarseness, we cannot have a head of our executive branch so disdainful of the rule of law he has sworn to defend and on which our government is based. That violation alone in my view is worthy of impeachment.
17
Despite the irrational hatred of Trump by the Left and the Democratic Party and the media, he IS entitled to privacy like any other taxpayer, and the fishing expedition of "congressional oversight" is an abuse of power.
Stalin's security chief Beria---"show me the man and I will show you the crime"
2
@ras
Nope. It is not an abuse of power it is their obligation. The Ways and Means committee has the legal authority to view any tax return form any citizen of this country, and they do so on a regular basis when required.
Trump's refusal to release his tax returns, as every president since Nixon has willingly done, sends up a red flare. Not only do they have the legal right to see his tax returns, but it is imperative that they do.
5
So why the sudden concern for Congress? I believe we are investigating the President’s for abuse of power. Or do you hold Barr’s view that a setting president can not obstruct justice or be held accountable for crimes?
1
@ras Yes, one could suspect that you would be knowledgeable about Beria …. most Americans know exactly who he would be ….
1
If Trump did wrong on his taxes wouldn't the IRS and various state tax agencies have caught it? Isn't the law that allows Congress to view any tax return to be used only to ascertain how tax law effects particular tax payers? Or is it a blanket policy to allow Congress to go after any citizens taxes to fish for a possible crime and political dirt? Do Democrats think the IRS is incompetent?
1
@Lane
If you had paid attention over the years, you would know that the IRS has been chronically underfunded and understaffed. Congress, and in particular Republicans, have made sure that the IRS is unable to carry out its basic function of policing compliance by corporations and the wealthy with the tax laws. So, no, the simply answer to your question is that the IRS would not necessarily have caught whatever shenanigans Trump pulled to lower his tax bill. But if you will read the article, you will appreciate that there are other reasons for wanting to review his tax return. I commend reading the article. It seems as though you will be enlightened.
13
@Lane
It's not a matter of any wrong doing, it is about getting to the truth behind Trump the businessman. How much wealth and debt does he actually hold? Where does his financing come from? Is he paying his fair share of taxes? What has he claimed in charitable donations and what has gone on with his now defunct Trump Foundation?
Trump campaigned under the illusion that he was a bigly successful businessman and that he would use his gigantic intellect and experience to fix all of the problems of this country.
Anyone who has known Trump or done business with him knows the truth.
His tax returns will let those who need to know, what Trump is really made of.
Better get the waders and shovels ready.
7
Are you afraid of what this investigation might find? Are you afraid of what the Muller report might reveal? Selling your soul for a hardline immigration stance is not worth it. Germany made that pact in 1936 and, spoiler alert, it did not turn out well.
But back to Tax Returns. There is a preponderance of circumstantial evidence that points to decades of Trump properties laundering money for Russian Oligarchs and other criminal types. Trump over the years has partnered, or been extremely close to a multitude of Russian Oligarch types or convicted criminals. Trump and crew have self admitted that Russian business cash infusions saved Trump after all his spectacular BKs. Manafort, Flynn, Page, Popodopalis, etc. are just the latest examples of criminal types that Trump attracts or attracts him.
4
In a case of turnabout is fair play, let this be the chant at 2020 Democratic rallies:
“What’s he hiding?”
9
I could care less about his tax returns. What would interest me more is the hush money congress paid to shut down sexual abuse cases in congress.
1
The best thing that could be learned from his tax returns is how much money does he have invested overseas.
It would just be the icing on the cake for all the times he talks about making America great.
2
We will learn nothing from his tax returns what we already know. A lying, grifter, who would be charged with bank fraud and income tax evasion were he not president.
10
To those experienced in investigation and putting legal cases together, none of this is a surprise. Frequently in litigation I would be told by a witness that he or she didn't think they could be of much help because they only knew this or that bit of information. But whatever they knew were potentially pieces of the puzzle, and it was up to the lawyers to gather all the pieces they could from as many sources as possible to try to reconstruct the puzzle. Nothing in this article justifies not going after the tax returns.
9
As Winston Churchill said, democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others. Thanks to a lot of Americans voters (and a lot more non-voters,) we have a guy with authority to launch nuclear weapons who is less vetted than many security guards.
16
To pick a single thread in Trump's tax history, it would be interesting to track the charitable donations Trump had his contestants solicit from wealthy friends on his "Apprentice" TV show -- at least to the extent of determining whether Trump passed any of this money ahead to charitable groups, and, if so, whether he claimed the charitable tax deduction for himself.
7
I would like to see not only Trump’s tax returns for the last 6 years, but also those of all current members of Congress including their spouses. Yes, all Republicans, all Democrats, and all independents.
Why would any of them complain? Do they have something to hide?
19
@Richard Winchester I agree with your suggestion. Let the chips fall where they may. While Congress addresses that excellent idea, Trump should comply with the House's statutory authority to obtain his tax returns from the IRS.
6
Add Supreme Court Justices to that list. I want to know if Clarence and Ginni Thomas pay income taxes on her salary from the Koch brothers and account for the lavish gifts they receive from "supporters" ( a $100,000 RV, for example.) Also did Kavanaugh pay taxes on the debt someone paid off for him before his confirmation? And did he pay taxes on his profits from that ticket scalping business he ran?
5
When he signed the GOP-only $ 1 trillion tax cut, almost all for the rich, while putting the burden of debt on our children, Trump was no mere citizen.
When he was campaigning in 2016, lying to voters that he had “no business in Russia,” when he really did — and a year later, when confronted with his lie from the year before, he brazenly said, “why would I not do that deal? What if I had lost the election, then I would have missed out on that deal,’ —he was no mere citizen.
When he was campaigning, he said he would release his taxes after his “audit” was finished — that promise was made as a candidate for President — not as a mere citizen.
Trump has relinquished these “private citizen” rights — he was leveraging his candidacy and his public office for personal gain — and these tax returns must have public review.
And if the GOP Supreme Court sides with Trump this time again, then the next Congress and President, all Democrat, will impeach the Supreme Court.
10
If nothing else, I'd like to know what some people in this country were thinking when deciding to elect a businessman who refuses to release his tax returns.
It just MIGHT be a good thing to know how well/poorly he was running these businesses considering that was his primary selling point as a candidate.
38
If you're a supporter of President Trump, imagine this scenario:
A Democrat is elected President in 2020. She has extensive personal foreign business dealings, but won't release any tax returns. Once in office, she declares that gun violence and climate change are national emergencies, mobilizes the military to help, and diverts money appropriated by Congress for other things to these issues. She regularly uses social media to demean and insult Republicans, calling them vicious names. She also nominates personal supporters to positions at the Fed and elsewhere.
Sound good to you?
88
Among other things, the President's Tax Returns would provide insight into how much he owes the Russians, assuming that he is writing off the interest on those loans. He does claim to take full advantage of those breaks afforded to him.
13
@Michael
No, it wouldn't. At best, it would show how much he paid in interest, but that wouldn't tell you how much he owed. And realistically, how would you know which debt was "to the Russians"? It's not like he gets a 1099 from Putin; any debt would be thru a web of foreign LLCs such that you would never know which, if any, of his lenders were Russian.
3
As reported by many sources, Trumps own write offs could be over 900M of other peoples money that he lost in his many bankruptcies.
I want to see that, and whether or not he has paid any taxes, in the last twenty years.
15
Trump is being protected by the exact same system that protects other Uber wealthy folks, in this country, and abroad. Most wealthy people are not confined to the borders of one country alone, in this day of global economy there is overlap of goods services people. Trumps CFO Allan Weisellberg likely has most Answers as Michael Cohen has suggested. Congress will do well to subpoena him for more information. It will be educational so other people can also learn how to evade taxes and earn money abroad like the trumps have successfully done.
11
"Mr. Trump and his siblings set up a sham corporation in the early 1990s to disguise millions of dollars in gifts from their parents."
Mr. Trump's sister continued sitting on the bench as a Federal judge even after setting up a sham corporation to disguise their wealth from their parents. She just retired after an investigation was opened into this matter. She, like the rest of the Trump family are nothing but grifters and con artists who continue to be above the law.
95
Not this time...trump and his minions know that the jig is up and are trying to delay the inevitable but he especially knows that it’s just a matter of time before the truth about his shady life and finances is fully exposed to be followed by multiple prosecutions.
10
@Keith D. Kulper I certainly hope you are right but I won't believe it until he is charged.
4
Quoting Trump is a boring fool’s errand since anything he says is meaningless and almost certainly a flat-out lie. If there is so little to be learned, the only question is why he has fought tooth and nail to avoid showing the public what all his predecessors have. The benign conclusions of this opinion piece cannot overcome the stench arising from this lifelong criminal.
32
Trump "loves" depreciation. That's why he's doing it to the whole country.
28
SO WHAT !
We have future issues to address...
5
@Brewster In 1972 the country had "future issues to address" also. But when the president at the time (hint: Roger Stone his a tattoo of him on the back of his neck) covered up his minions' burglary of the office of the opposing party, the country took time to address it. Or have you forgotten?
4
@Brewster Yes. Like when is Donald going to complete the Sovietization of the US Government. He has two years and Vlad is getting a little impatient.
4
The Trump administration refuses to follow the law, and Trump is lying about the law (which does in fact entitled Congress to see the tax returns).
Eric said the money came from the Russians, and now he denies saying that.
If Trump is innocent of conspiring with the Russians, which Barr says Mueller says, then the questions arise: Why did Trump fire Comey? Why did Trump lie in denying pursuing the Trump Tower Moscow deal through Summer 2016? Why did he lie about the June 2016 meeting his son and son-in-law had with the Russians at Trump Tower NY? Why did Trump disclose top secret information to the Russian Ambassador in the oval office in 2017? Why did Trump try to fire Mueller? Why did Trump grovel before Putin in Helsinki? Why is Trump hiding the translator notes from his talks with Putin? Why has Trump attacked the FBI and the Mueller investigation? Why have so many people surrounding Trump, including his former campaign manager and national security advisor, lied to cover-up their talks with Russia?
Follow the money? In addition to bank fraud and tax evasion (suggested by Michael Cohen), money laundering with Russian oligarchs is looking pretty likely.
Or could the secret talks with Putin possibly be about the Trump Tower Moscow deal? That sounds truly insane, but Cheney ginned up the Iraq war for no-bid Halliburton contracts. Maybe all of this comes down to avarice.
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@Ann we watched obstruction up close and personal; as for conspiracy, if the political will to prosecute does not exist, it doesn’t mean it did not happen.
By failing to prosecute this administration’s criminality, our democracy is put in jeopardy.
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A long list of questions that need to be brought to the light of day. Money laundering - RE sales - condos, apartments, cash sales to overseas buyers at exorbitant prices.Possible overstated RE values on financial statements presented to domestic and foreign banks. Deutcshe Bank loan flipping.
Golf club membership fees - leaving one of his clubs equivalent to trying to get out of time share vacation homes.
Expenses for hushing up various adventures with members of the opposite sex.Costs to purchase animal skins to put on top of his head??
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If real estate developers take depreciation tax breaks on their buildings at the generosity of tax payers, should not tax payers eventually own the building we have paid for?
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@DM
Sure. Just like when Starbucks gets to deduct what it pays its employees in salary, the US taxpayers should end up owning those people. Makes perfect sense. Please don't vote.
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But maybe they could illuminate more about Trump's behavior than the Mueller report did. What a waste of taxpayer money that was.
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@Joanna Stelling How do you know anything about the Mueller Report to comment on since we haven't seen the report? We have seem the Barr Report.
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We don’t ave the fully story yet on muller probe. Stay tuned.
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@Joanna Stelling
The Mueller probe was a very fruitful and necessary endeavorr for our republic. The "speaking indictments" of the Russians and others involved in the attack on our election were essential to help us begin to understandi what transpired, who was involved, and to hold bad actors accountable. We will also learn more about collusion that did not meet the high bar of criminal behavior and we will certainly learn more about obstruction when the report is released. Mueller specifically stated Trump was not exonerated regarding obstruction of justice. Abuses of power need to be thoroughly reviewed. We need all the findings to get to the truth. The counterintelligence-related findings in the report will also help us better defend ourselves from future attacks.
Financially, the probe more than paid for itself from Manafort's asset forfeiture alone.
Trump's tax returns should be sought as they will reveal a great deal about how he does business and to whom he is beholden. We have already seen evidence of corruption in his university charity, and other dealings. We need to know the whole truth.
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If he weren’t hiding something he’d gladly release them like every other president in the last 50 years and nearly every other candidate. He’s making absolute fools out of his voters and supporters.
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One would think. But Trump also enjoys provoking his “opponents.” Even if there were nothing of interest in the returns, he would be happy to have the media make it a huge issue so he can once again claim victim status.
My best guess is they will indeed provide a few more pieces of the puzzle confirming Trump’s various lies and sleazy business dealings.
Those we care about facts already know who Trump is. I find it hard to imagine that anything in any document will change any minds at this point.
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As usual Trump looks guilty by acting like he has much to hide. Does he or does he just like a fight? I believe he is a crook and full of hot air. I believe nothing he says.
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No mystery. His tax returns will reveal what the majority of US citizens already know... that he is a CON MAN.
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@YogaGal, trick is..will his base care at all! Right before our eyes we have Bibi Netanyahu, the public knows he was inducted yet Israelis went ahead and re elected him.
These times are what the ancients called kaliyuga when morality falls to its lowest and humans cheat other humans for selfish gains whether it’s politics or party or religion.
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, does it? His mother, a judge, at 82, has played her dirty tax tricks, too.
If Trump’s innocent, nothing to hide.....Pretty obvious how that goes. The man’s been making up stories for years about his taxes. Just bring those taxes on. The American people deserve to see them.
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@gMIMA - His sister, not mother.
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@MIMA
Judge Maryanne Barry is Trump's sister. In an ironic twist she was also the presiding judge in the case which sent Jared Kushner's father to prison. The case was prosecuted by Chris Christie, which explains Jared's animosity towards him.
Thanksgiving dinner must be awkward.
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Right, thanks! Yes.
Even more disgraceful than Trump not releasing his tax returns is that the Republican party is helping Trump prevent their release. Republicans should be demanding transparency from the President as much as Democrats are. The Republican calls to drain the swamp do not apply to Trump it seems. It turns out that Trump is the swamp.
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@ron
The disgrace doesn't stop there. The Republicans apparently are behaving this disgracefully because they care more about saving their jobs than the Constitution, and the Republican voters overwhelmingly continue to support Trump.
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@ron
Trump NEVER said he was going to "drain" the swamp.
He said, repeatedly, as a CAMPAIGN PROMISE, he would
MAINTAIN the swamp, even filling it further, making it the biggest, deepest, most swampiest swamp you've EVER seen. It's going to be a spectacular swamp. And it is, because of him.
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@ron
Where, when, why and how did the government of the United States of America become a subsidiary of the Trump Organization?
How did Bill Barr succeed Mike Cohen?
How did Steve Mnuchin succeed Howard Wesselberg?
How did Stephen Miller succeed John Kelly and Kirstjen Nielsen?
Perhaps Benjamin Netanyahu or Vladimir Putin can be convinced to pity the America people and give us copies of Trump's income tax returns and business records.
No collusion? MAGA?
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Won't the tax returns contain the sources and amounts of financing for all his RE deals - which banks/individuals/etc?
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@Susan
These are his personal, not business tax returns.
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I find it extremely telling that Trump continues to be so evasive about revealing his tax return information to the people. I also have always believed that his tax returns will tell a far darker story about him and his gaudy claim to mass wealth and questionable legality of moving his and his family's money around so covertly than the high profile Mueller investigation.
I also believe the people will be absolutely astonished at how little, if any Federal taxes this man paid, likely going back many moons. And again, the question of legality looms large for me about how he took those 'tax credits' in the first place.
Time for Congress to get tough and demand those returns. Now.
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@RL Time to close the loop holes. Time for a wealth tax.
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Obviously Trump has things to hide or these would have been released years ago. But Mueller's report - not that we've seen it yet - has so far changed nothing. It's likely that releasing Trump's taxes will also have less relevance than some might wish for.
It's possible Trump's reasons for not divulging them have more to do with his embarrassment at being exposed as a business failure than with secret ties to Russia or Saudi Arabia.
Also - the internet has changed how we perceive and react to fact. Yesterday's momentous photo of the black hole, for example: in pre-internet days it would have appeared only in the evening paper and on TV during the news hour. Families and friends would have been clustered around the news sources, kids asking parents what black holes were, conversations ensuing, imaginations stirred, realities being re-estimated - as happened during the moon landing. If smug, misinformed, partisan comments were made, they weren't splattered worldwide in comments sections and social media, sharing equal time and space with the event itself.
But the black hole photo - along with Trump's tax returns, the Mueller report, and anything else major and minor that shows up on our phones day and night all have roughly equal impact; no more or less notable than, say, whether Game of Thrones has been renewed or how the Broncos did last night.
We've become dulled to things which, in the past, had significance. I don't believe that's a step forward.
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@James
The endless stream of non-stop information has dulled us like the frog in the proverbial pot of water on the stove. Trump has used his barrage of endless lies, insults, flip-flops, and threats in the same manner. Our senses and sensibilities have been dulled beyond what we realize. Like the frog, we are pretty much cooked.
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Given Mr. Trump's overseas business, does he hold foreign accounts and file FBAR (Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts) with FinCen? The FBAR is separate from the tax return and is not filed with the IRS, so it is not clear if the House WMC request would also include a request for FBARs.
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Are there NO REPUBLICANS who are concerned about what Donald Trump is hellbent to hide in his tax returns? We may have to wait until a Democrat is in the White House but at some point we will know.
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@William Whitaker
Actually there are NO REPUBLICANS stupid enough to not understand that the IRS has already audited Trump and will continue to do so, and if they find evidence of foul play, the will let us know.
Get dunning-kruegered!
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I don't care how much DJT claims on his taxes, the real point is if the IRS is doing it's job.
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Seeing Trump’s tax returns could puncture the core Conservative belief that taxes are too high on the rich. In reality, they don’t pay any taxes at all. Trump’s contemporary, Leona Helmsley said it best, only the little people pay taxes.
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Mr. Trump claims he's been under audit for 10 years. If that is so, one would think he would welcome Congressional investigation into whether or not the IRS is acting appropriately. He cheered when Congress demanded the tax returns of certain political organizations the IRS had deemed ineligible for non-profit status. He clammed up, though, when it became clear that the IRS had been equally tough on Progressive would-be non-profits. A cynical person might say that he's being hypocritical.
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Looking at Trump's picture,
If I were a reporter, I would ask,
"So Mr. Trump, what do you like most about being president?"
3
“Mr. Trump acquired many properties, in particular golf courses, with cash, but where did that cash come from? Mr. Trump’s son Eric once told a journalist that the Trump Organization’s golf properties were paid for with Russian money. Eric Trump has denied making that statement.“ Money laundering, anyone?
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Trump is a liar and a manipulator and remarkably ignorant. Whether he reveals his income tax returns or not his behavior has proven that he’s the worst President we have ever had. But his returns might reduce some of his amazing behaviors towards Putin and the other low life’s to who he seems eager to please to base self interest instead of some serious neurosis.
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What they won’t solve is the mystery of why any sane person voted for him to begin with...
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@Shepherd That question is the most serious concern that thinking Americans have. It is also clearly a source of bewilderment to our overseas friends, and enemies.
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If the IRS ignores the law and refuses to provide Trump's tax returns, can congress obtain the documents from the state of New York?
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His return for 2010 would be the most interesting. In addition to showing that Mr. Trump is not as rich as he claims, still very wealthy, I believe the return will also show that he is a cheapskate and does not give a dime to charities including his own. Most important on that return and Mr. Romney's return will be notice that both men accepted the IRS offer of amnesty from being charged with felony tax fraud.
Consider that for a minute. The POTUS and a prominent Senator are both admitted tax felons. That is why both men have held tight to their 2010 returns.
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For one example, were they casinos or laundries? Cash laundries are successful even in bankruptcies, maybe even more so under a bankruptcy.
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That’s an excellent question and one the citizens deserve an answer to.
The flippant reply to the country that they “are under audit” is obfuscation. Remember, this is a man who demanded a birth certificate from President Obama. He beat that drum pretty hard and there are still a lot of people who loved that story- easier to hide behind their racism if it’s a matter of citizenship instead of race.
There is nothing to be learned about trump that was not known before the election. His shady business deals, fake college, perversions, personal cruelties and yes his refusal to pay his share of taxes to his “great” country. We knew all that and yet that was ok with a lot of citizens.
Also, I got back $4,500 less this year compared to the last 2 years and I am middle class.
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