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.
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@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
No
@9FS5XJP2yrs2Y
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.
@997W2D32yrs2Y
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.
@8JSC4QSRepublican5yrs5Y
It is their own choice to do so
@94N2NJX3yrs3Y
@5D4428G5yrs5Y
Should have to submit taxes, birth certificate, and have a mental exam also
@9D6JRC62yrs2Y
No, but require a public audit every year they are in office.
@5DTVT6X5yrs5Y
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
@5D3BY6R5yrs5Y
Yes. Once you run for office your life is an open book
@9KVQHTP 1yr1Y
Yes, and also required to release their medical record and require a public audit each year they are in office
@9WRDK3J7mos7MO
No, but they should still be held liable the same as any standard citizen if found guilty of any crime such as tax evasion or tax fraud.
@9WTHYSS7mos7MO
I think a respectable and competent person should be hired to review each candidates tax return only to make sure they are who they say they are and so they are not corrupt. But the candidates personal taxes should not be out to the public because its none of our business how much money they made if they made it honestly.
@9D3RPBQ2yrs2Y
Transparency is necessary and tax returns should not be exploitative or unethical
@9GN5KWP2yrs2Y
Yes, and require a public audit during each year of their term. Also require the release of medical records.
@8YKH43B3yrs3Y
Yes, and also required to release their medical records, as well as be put through a public audit each year they are in office
@8QJT3Z6Republican4yrs4Y
Yes, but only while in office.
@B55JSH41wk1W
No, but be required to present proof that they paid their own taxes, and taxes for any businesses they may own.
@B4KLCSB4wks4W
Yes I think that if you are going to be in government then it must be mandatory for you to show that you pay into the system. If ordinary citizens can get arrested for not filing and paying taxes then politicians should have the same treatment
@B4FCJW4Republican1mo1MO
I would respect them more if they did, but for the sake of the republic, democracy, freedom, federalism, privacy, weak government, and checks and balances, they should not be.
@B4D6KHP1mo1MO
I would admire them more if they did, however, for the sake of the republic, freedom, federalism, weak government, and checks and balances, they should not.
@ye 1mo1MO
Yes, require all politicians to do this and also require them to release their medical health records
@B4BK4TW1mo1MO
Yes, and also required to release their medical records. We should also require a public audit each year they are in office.
@B48ZGNN1mo1MO
I support abolishing income tax in favor of federal, state, and local sales taxes. So this question would not be relevant to my beliefs.
@B3ZYM5D2mos2MO
They should, but for the sake of freedom, the republic, weak-central government, federalism, checks and balances, liberty, and our rights, they should not be required to
@B3WQCXP2mos2MO
I think the integrity of officials should be judged by a certain body of people in the government, like examining medical records to show if they’re healthy and tax returns to show no wrongdoing
@B3RS8MT2mos2MO
Yes only for federal political positions like Senate, HR, Pres, and Justices that get a life time appt.
@B3R53RWProgressive2mos2MO
No, but they should be required to go through psychological wellness testing and those results should be published.
@B3QWXWS2mos2MO
I am unsure about this question, but there should be a means to determine their financial obligations to foreign entities
@B2TWHDT3mos3MO
People shouldn’t have to put anything online they don’t want, or aren’t comfortable with.. especially personal records, and taxes, unless they are personally comfortable with it then sure- yes, but absolutely no pressure!
@9ZM7G276mos6MO
Yes, and their finances, along with the finances of their immediate family, should be audited annually.
@9ZJS9G56mos6MO
No, tax returns have nothing to do with there ability to perform their duties but I would respect them more if they did especially if they release their medical records as well but they shouldn't be required to.
@9ZHJXSL6mos6MO
Have a private committee conduct an audit to ensure they have legal finances, but they do not have to release it publicly.
@9ZB5JHJ6mos6MO
No, but their donors and the payment need to be made public. If there is evidence of mishandling of funds then it should be available to a private court for consideration.
@9Z9L7HP 6mos6MO
I don't feel we the people should look at them no I don't feel anyone should look at anyone's tax returns to be honest but I do feel that there needs to be a department that looks through them to ensure that no one is stealing money or hiding money
@9YBGYB6Independent 6mos6MO
No, it has never been required. Personally, I would respect and prefer it but I would rather have medical records be required and released. While in office though I do believe annual audits should be public knowledge along with health records.
@9Y8H5K86mos6MO
No, but once elected provide prior year tax return and be publicly audited each year they are in office.
@9Y5FLM36mos6MO
They should be required to release all investments made and profits from. to be used against them for insider trading convictions if they voted on a law that benefited their investment.
@9WM353S7mos7MO
No, that is their own private information, but candidates should not be allowed to run if their taxes are not complete or in order.
@9WJRGBD7mos7MO
Yes and be held to the same standards any ordinary citizen or service member would be required to meet in order to hold a TS\SCI security clearance.
@9WJMPKZ7mos7MO
No, tax returns should be private, however if the candidate chooses to release their tax returns, voters might have more of a reason to vote for them.
@9WFPG9T 7mos7MO
Yes, additionally require a public audit and to release their medical records each year they are in office
@9WF98Y97mos7MO
They should be screened for mental or physical problems in order to keep unwell individuals from entering office, congress, or court in any way.
@9WCGVV97mos7MO
I don’t care about their pre-office tax returns, but I do care about after they are in office. Yes, I think they should have to have a full physical and cognitive test and that should be made public. That would’ve saved us from Biden
@9W8X5YQ7mos7MO
Yes, because it would give people insight to the person, if they are truthful and good, or if they are the opposite, deceitful and wrong
@9W8LHDV7mos7MO
Yes, All Government paid positions and their immediate family members should require tax documents are available to the public including all positions of political, fire, police, military, education, etc.
@9W6T4LVIndependent7mos7MO
No, but once elected their finances and activities should be public record. As with police they should have to live stream their activity and they should not have any hidden activity. They should not be payed for their service and any financial benefit from insider trading should be penalized as any other private citizen.
@9W2T7667mos7MO
No, they should have to release them to a third party auditor starting with the year they run for office and then each year they are in office.
@9VZGG6D7mos7MO
Yes, as well as being transparent with how much they are being paid, I'm not asking for their life details, just how much they are paid, and pay in taxes.
No, not to the public but to the Electoral Collage as a way to hold the candidate accountable if they win
@9VVDJS27mos7MO
No, but they should have to inform the other 3 branches of government In case the decisions they are making or laws they are passing would benefit there stock holdings and other private investments.
@9VV6LY67mos7MO
No, what if tax returns are considered private information that should never be sent to the public but IRS?
@9VTZN7B7mos7MO
NO, just like we have the right to keep it private so do they, i dont think it has anything to do with how they perform their job.
No, however the documents should be audited internally within the IRS. If suspicious activity is determined, the IRS may provide the Treasury Secretary and the FEC with the documents and the findings should be made public.
@9VT7HQH7mos7MO
No, I would respect them more if they where honest with fraud but it shouldn't be required and is personal. It won't effect their ability as in office.
@9VT5DV3Independent7mos7MO
Yes and require to release their medical records and require a public audit each year they are in office.
@9VT4CPY7mos7MO
Maybe, its a personal preference. What I want to ensure is that we need a string anti-corruption law.
@9VSBDXM7mos7MO
Political candidates should require some form of transparency, taxes may be too confidential to release but we cannot have politicians who are not based in information running
@9VRBBPF7mos7MO
Tax returns, investment accounts, etc. If they are making money they need to disclose who is paying it to them.
@9VQVQ597mos7MO
Yes, but in a method of so, that their privacy and personal documents, information, and familial connections are kept private.
@9VQTNCV7mos7MO
I think it's a 50/50 answer. There are presidents who don't pay their taxes or nominees but that's none of our business while it is kind of at the same time
@9VQLH2P7mos7MO
No, but require a public audit each year they are in office for things that have to do with policy plan spending
@9VPSZR37mos7MO
Yes they should but not to the wealthy or the rich they should give it to the low class or the poor the people that need it most.
@9VNZZZZ7mos7MO
Yes, but major donors of political candidates, wether companies and people, should also be held to the same standard
@9T3ZK4Y8mos8MO
They should release it but to a special agency that people can refer to instead of the public. You don't want to have your wealth shown like Rishi Sunak.
@9SXJG5L 8mos8MO
I believe in transparency from our political leaders, but wonder how public reports on presidential finances might be dangerous in the hands of foreign powers.
@9SRN8WB8mos8MO
Depends, are they against taxing the rich. To show they don't want to tax the rich, show your tax returns
I don’t think they should be required. I would love it if they drif but again not required. What I do support though is the requirement for any political candidate to release their medical history. That way we will be assured that they are of sound of body and mind to take office. Last thing we want is a candidate dying mid tenure or their cognitive decline like it’s happening with Joe Biden.
@9SPXJBJLibertarian 8mos8MO
Yes, if there is reason to believe something like bribery, insider trading, or tax fraud has taken place. Likewise medical records should be released if there is reason to doubt physical or mental health.
@9SJ3X9W9mos9MO
Any private information should be kept private as any other citizen, but still monitored and regulated like any other citizen.
@9SH8CG3 9mos9MO
Their tax returns should be subject to audit by the IRS but the general public has no right to see their personal finances.
@9PWTCBQ11mos11MO
Info on their income would be nice and while I believe all candidates should be given multiple thorough physical and mental evaluations throughout the cycle, I think only general summaries should be released to the public regarding their ability to carry out the duties of their proposed office.
@9PLKDBMRepublican 11mos11MO
No, but they should be required to release anything to the public’s knowledge that may consider them to be “unfit” for office — health issues, addiction, etc.
Yes, require a public audit for each year that they’re in office and also require the release of basic medical records
@9P55WNS11mos11MO
No, tax returns have little to do with their ability to perform their duties as president. However, presidential candidates should be truthful, honest, and willing to be investigated for fraud and criminal activity.
@9NZKR6711mos11MO
Yes, and they should have a public audit each year they are in office and for the first 5 after office, and they should release their medical records, specifically a cognitive test and physical.
@9NXW9RJ 11mos11MO
No. It does not have anything to do with the qualifications of a candidate for elected office. Remove legal and financial barriers to campaigning for elected office.
@9DN2JT62yrs2Y
No, but require annual audits.
Deleted2yrs2Y
Yes, and require a public audit each year they are in office in order to prevent foreign corruption.
@9DK3XZZProgressive2yrs2Y
@9DJZX5V2yrs2Y
no. tax audits and returns are a private matter, until they are elected. Then their tax returns and earning statements should be public and reported.
@9DJ2YBJLibertarian2yrs2Y
No, but their should be increased auditing of their tax return.
@2KJR767Independent 2yrs2Y
No, this should not have a bearing on ability to perform the job. A joint ethics committee shall review to ensure there are no unethical financial situations. But it should not be a fully public release.
@9DG4GY82yrs2Y
No, but we should add a limit to the net worth of any presidential candidate, maybe 200 million. This would prevent corruption within office and within ad campaigns leading up to office.
@9DDXX882yrs2Y
I am unsure of this topic
@9D8G35C2yrs2Y
Yes, but only for incumbents as a countermeasure against corruption
@9D7JWLV2yrs2Y
WHY? Most politicians have their money hidden where their filed tax returns aren't even accurate.
@9D7FGKFIndependent2yrs2Y
Only while they are in office do they need to show their tax records and have a public annual audit.
@9D6RMZGRepublican2yrs2Y
Only if they were politicians the prior year. If their salary is paid for by taxes, it is the public's business.
Yes, but only the primary pages of the Form 1040 (no schedules or attachments).
@9D6HQMNIndependent2yrs2Y
No, but once in office they should be required too for the duration, require a public audit each year and be subjected to long term public audits after they are out of office to keep track and make sure it’s legit earnings after office.
@9D6D6ZW2yrs2Y
No, but all politicians should be required to have a public audit once elected and while they serve in office.
@9D6D6M32yrs2Y
No, but they should be publicly audited every year while in office.
@9D5BQZL2yrs2Y
Yes but only if they receive federal campaign money
@9XY9X8K6mos6MO
They should have to return both their medical records and a public audit each year they are in office.
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