Democrats to ask for 10 years of presidential tax returns in new bill

[babylonsister]

Democrats to ask for 10 years of presidential tax returns in new bill
By Lauren Fox, CNN
Updated 3:06 PM ET, Wed January 2, 2019
Remember when Trump refused to release his tax returns?


(CNN)Democrats are making presidential tax returns a focal point in one of their first pieces of legislation, an effort to build the case to the American people that time is up on President Donald Trump keeping his own tax returns from the public, shutting what could be a window into his personal wealth.

According to two sources familiar with the discussions, Democrats will include a provision in their new bill that would require presidential nominees to disclose 10 years of tax returns shortly after they become the nominee. Vice presidents would also be required to disclose a decade of returns. The tax returns would then be posted on the Federal Election Commission's website for public viewing.

The 10-year requirement is new marker. At the end of last year, Democrats had disclosed H.R. 1 would require presidential candidates to release just three years of tax returns, but a source familiar with the process said that after reviewing precedent, the marker was moved to a decade of returns.

The provision would be included in H.R. 1, a far-reaching bill that makes sweeping ethics changes as well as lays out Democratic priorities on voting rights and health care. The legislation isn't expected to pass the Republican-controlled Senate or be signed by Trump, also a Republican. However, it will give committees an opportunity to set markers on Democratic priorities in the new Congress.

more...

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/02/politics/trump-tax-returns-democrats/index.html?utm_term=link&utm_medium=social&utm_content=2019-01-02T20%3A28%3A04&utm_source=fbCNNp

[ehrnst]

1. Yes! (nt)

[DENVERPOPS]

15. And just who is going to check

And just who is going to check that the submitted tax returns match the true returns at the IRS?????

I have to tell you, I'm beginning to not trust ANY of them.............

[pnwmom]

20. If they turn out to be false there should be criminal penalties for false statements to Congress.

[JohnnyRingo]

25. I assume the IRS would be the target of a subpoena

Maybe I'm wrong, but even if Trump released them it's not like he'll pull them from his desk drawer. No one could trust that he's releasing the actual docs.

Remember when he sat at a table with reams of papers piled up and claimed it was just one year of his taxes? That's what he'd supply, blank pages.

[PatSeg]

29. Yeah, that's the visual that popped in my head

The man is always just putting on a show and cannot ever be trusted.

[VOX]

2. Hell, yes. Everything OUT of the pockets, too: pen knives, loose change, pocket lint, the works!

Put it ALL of it on the table!

[demosincebirth]

3. Can they do it?

R

[Shell_Seas]

4. "Isn't expected to pass"

I'm just wondering why this wasn't a requirement way before now.

[lapucelle]

6. Yes, but it will be interesting to see who votes against it and why. N/T

[Gothmog]

7. The State of Maryland has a ballot access law that requires tax returns

The State of Maryland already has a ballot access law that requires release of tax returns and several other blue states will be adopting these laws. In order to get onto the ballot in these states, candidate will have to file five to ten years of tax returns. This will apply to independent candidates like Jill Stein.

I think that these laws are enforceable and will help

[NewJeffCT]

10. It would also apply to Bernie Sanders

I believe he still hasn't released his tax returns.

[Gothmog]

12. No sanders has not released full tax returns

sanders has not released any full tax returns. sanders did release 2 pages of 2014 return but did not release any full tax returns

[NewJeffCT]

11. It wasn't a requirement because

it was considered an expectation of all candidates to do it, and shame would prevent them from not releasing their taxes. Of course, since Trump has no shame and consistently fails to meet expectations, he did not. And, the media never called him on it.

[Gothmog]

5. This is a good move

Link to tweet

[forgotmylogin]

17. When I applied to work for an IRS call center...

they got to do a complete background check on me, which of course included taxes. They said it would be hypocritical to hire someone to counsel people about fiscal responsibility if they had their own issues.

Why isn't the President held to a similar standard? If I can't help someone split up their overdue tax debt for a payment plan because I didn't pay taxes a decade ago (hypothetically) how could a tax-cheat of a president be allowed to sign legislation about taxes?

[leftynyc]

8. Why AFTER they're a nominee

Isn't that something that should be looked at BEFORE we decide?

[forgotmylogin]

18. Probably for simplicity.

Rather than reviewing - what did the Rs have last year, like 20 candidates? - it makes sense to only audit the prospective nominees.

I would assume if some problem is found, it's possible to unseat a candidate and replace them.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

9. You only have to keep your returns for 7 years, though, isn't that the rule?

[pnwmom]

21. But you can always ask the IRS for copies of old returns if you need them. n/t

[Soph0571]

13. Beautiful

[Honeycombe8]

14. Hot damn. Here we go. I am pleased...they aren't wasting their time.

Looks like they're going to make efficient use of their time in control of the House.

[JohnnyRingo]

16. This should be interesting. How will he handle this?

He's used the dodge of a supposed endless audit for more than two years. What's he going to use now?

Will he claim that the American people are insistent that we don't see his taxes? Perhaps he'll say it would cripple his private business if competitors see how smart he is. Maybe he'll try to play the presidential privilege card.

[yonder]

24. Sadly, each one sounds exactly like a reason he would attempt to use.

[Totally Tunsie]

19. Too bad we can't make it retroactive.

[MichMan]

30. Who wouldn't want to see Adlai Stevenson's ?

[Totally Tunsie]

31. Let's please presume I was referring to the current WH resident.

[Kurt V.]

22. i certainly hope they ran this past our very fine field of candidates

and this isn't about tRump

[MrsCoffee]

23. YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

Even if a long shot, this is the way to go.

[JohnnyRingo]

26. If this passes it could be the end of Republican presidents.

None of them would run.

[Drifter]

27. A presidential candidate ...

should be required to provide tax returns for their entire professional career.

Cheers
Drifter

[MichMan]

28. Why doesn't this also apply to the House and Senate ?

Why not include themselves as well?

[progressoid]

33. Indeed. n/t

[Scurrilous]

32. K&R