Question....

[Aviation Pro]

....can a FOIA request be filed to compel the IRS to release Lurch the Fucking Stiff's^TM and Horsey Wife's^TM tax returns?

[handmade34]

1. no

"Individual income tax returns — including those of public figures — are private information, protected by law from unauthorized disclosure. Indeed, the Internal Revenue Service is barred from releasing any taxpayer information whatsoever, except to authorized agencies and individuals.

Like all other citizens, U.S. presidents enjoy this protection of their privacy. Since the early 1970s, however, most presidents have chosen to release their returns publicly..."


http://www.taxhistory.org/www/website.nsf/web/presidentialtaxreturns/

[jberryhill]

2. No

[Aviation Pro]

3. Ok, Google is your friend....

Exemption 6. Personal Privacy

The sixth exemption covers personnel, medical, and similar files the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. This exemption protects the privacy interests of individuals by allowing IRS to withhold personal data kept in its files where there is an expectation of privacy. Only individuals have privacy interests. Corporations and business associations have no privacy rights under the sixth exemption, with the exception of closely held corporations or similar business entities. Once it has been determined that a personal privacy interest is threatened by a requested disclosure, the exemption requires agencies to strike a balance between an individual's privacy interest and the public's interest in disclosure. The Privacy Act of 1974 also regulates the disclosure of personal information about an individual. The IRS will automatically consider a request for personal information under both the FOIA and the Privacy Act and will rely on the statute that provides the greater access.

However, knowing how crafty Lurch and Horsey are I will bet a fat man to a skinny mule that they formed an LLC for their family in which case the highlighted text above may invalidate the exemption.

[Aviation Pro]

4. For those interested...

...here are the IRS FOIA guidelines. Looks like there are exceptions to 'no.'

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/irs_foia_guide.pdf

[SheilaT]

6. In addition, it is my understanding that the IRS takes such privacy

in connection with income tax returns very, very seriously, which is why IRS employees don't leak stuff on their own. I believe that it would not be possible for an employee to do such without them knowing EXACTLY which employee had accessed the records.

I almost went to work for them some time back -- it would have been a temporary job during tax season -- and I recall it was made crystal clear to me that anyone who worked there simply did not look at returns or any records not authorized to do so.