A tax return is a document which states how much income an individual or entity reported to the government. In the U.S. there is no legal requirement of any kind that presidential candidates release tax returns from any year. Tax returns can be released by an individual taxpayer, but cannot released by the IRS to the public. However, one Senator has proposed legislation requiring presidential candidates to release tax returns. In 2016 a U.S. Senator proposed the Presidential Tax Transparency Act. The bill would require a presidential candidate to release the most recent three years of tax returns to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) within 15 days of becoming the nominee at the party convention. If the candidate refuses to comply, the Treasury Secretary would provide the tax returns directly to the FEC for public release.
@ISIDEWITH7yrs7Y
@ISIDEWITH8yrs8Y
No
@9FS5XJP7mos7MO
Seeing these records will show if the candidates are truly honest or not and reveal if they are behaving corruptly and for their own financial gain instead of for the benefit of the citizens.
@997W2D31yr1Y
I feel like the amount of money the president gets in taxes should not determine the future of our country. Because some people would change their vote because of their tax report. Although it would add a layer of transparency it could make people sway their votes based on money which would make the elections a vote of who has the most money.
@ISIDEWITH7yrs7Y
@ISIDEWITH7yrs7Y
@ISIDEWITH7yrs7Y
@ISIDEWITH7yrs7Y
@8JSC4QSRepublican4yrs4Y
It is their own choice to do so
@94N2NJX2yrs2Y
No, abolish income taxes
@5D4428G4yrs4Y
Should have to submit taxes, birth certificate, and have a mental exam also
@5DTVT6X4yrs4Y
I know money plays a crucial role in elections but if the citizens in this country would wake up, then the candidates running would be held accountable for their own "integrity". It is embarrassing what goes on. Both sides think they have all the answers. Personally most politician are megalomaniacs and it is more of a dirty game than any real ability to do anything. The world is a "nutter" we are just along for the ride. People are so shallow about it all. Oh this one is best if you don't agree I am going to chew you up and spit you out. Well...I am going to be like… Read more
@5D3BY6R4yrs4Y
Yes. Once you run for office your life is an open book
@8YKH43B2yrs2Y
Yes, and also required to release their medical records, as well as be put through a public audit each year they are in office
@9GN5KWP6mos6MO
Yes, and require a public audit during each year of their term. Also require the release of medical records.
@9D3RPBQ10mos10MO
Transparency is necessary and tax returns should not be exploitative or unethical
@8RN56YZ3yrs3Y
Yes, require a yearly public audit, and require release of medical records.
@9CFJ5BV11mos11MO
No, Presidential candidates should not have to give up their rights to run.
Deleted10mos10MO
Yes, and also required to release their medical records and submit to annual audits and medical evaluations
@8XG6WZLLibertarian2yrs2Y
No, but it should be audited
No, only their medical records
@98Q6WQKLibertarian1yr1Y
No, and Abolish the IRS, I don’t want to pay taxes either.
@8CG4CWQ4yrs4Y
Yes. Their whole financial history - so we the public can see who they are getting kickbacks from.
@9MC5XW7 3 days3D
I believe that being the president should be the most scrutinized position in the country and I believe that providing tax returns should not be seen as a violation of rights.
@9LY27YK2wks2W
No they shouldn't because it is private information but if someone does they can be taken into greater consideration.
@9LVBDCN3wks3W
Yes, and require the release of medical records and a yearly public audit not only for political candidates, but also for current and incoming office holders
@59Q3292Republican 5mos5MO
Yes, but to a non-partisan committee to ensure the candidate isn't being influenced by foreign powers and monies.
@9F35KBP8mos8MO
No, but require public audits after they are elected and during their time serving
@9F2ZYDQ8mos8MO
@9DWVNKX8mos8MO
@9DWCC788mos8MO
No, and dissolve the government
@9DS4DSB9mos9MO
yes but only to show that they are responsible in their spending so we can trust them
@96GHT2Q2yrs2Y
No, they should not have to for running for the first time as the tax returns will not be affected; however, when running again yes to show that it does not affect their views.
@96FVRKP2yrs2Y
Yes, the people deserve to know if they are a reliable candidate through knowing if they properly follow government tax laws or not.
@96FSQYV2yrs2Y
After they are elected, then they should be required to release tax returns
@96FJWGT2yrs2Y
No, I don't see why tax returns should be public information if a regular citizen doesn't need to show off their tax returns.
@96F4LGWRepublican2yrs2Y
No, unless criminal actions have been found
@96DVJZ22yrs2Y
@96D6P2W2yrs2Y
I think they should give their tax dollars to the people. Politicians have WAY too much money.
@96D8LHC2yrs2Y
No, tax returns have nothing to do with their ability to perform their duties I would respect them more if they and if they release their medical records even more but they shouldn't be required to.
@96CMSZC2yrs2Y
No, unless they are a Career Politician
@96BSCGV2yrs2Y
shouldn’t matter, but shouldn’t be criminals or doing these shady, but there isn’t a lot of public trust.
@96BJXQ72yrs2Y
Only show there retirement and investments and take yearly medical exams and make public
@96B7GF22yrs2Y
Yes to prove they pay their taxes and follow laws
@969GSYH2yrs2Y
No, but the source(s) of their income should be disclosed.
@967P8S3Libertarian2yrs2Y
The only reason they should is if they are accused of fraud or other serious inquiry about money.
@95QXC8N2yrs2Y
they can show only if asked
@95MZCPS2yrs2Y
No, because that's the private business and that's something that people don't need to see.
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