http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/donald-trump-s-taxes-what-we-know-what-we-don-n658161Quote
What We Know
Donald Trump declared a $916 million loss in 1995, which could have allowed him "to cancel out an equivalent amount of taxable income over an 18-year period," according to the New York Times. But there is nothing in the report that shows he actually took advantage of the rules to avoid paying taxes. A Trump campaign statement in response to the article said: "Mr. Trump is a highly-skilled businessman who has a fiduciary responsibility to his business, his family and his employees to pay no more tax than legally required." His surrogates have said it is a sign of "genius."
In 1978 and 1979, Trump did not pay any federal income taxes. We know this because in 1981, when Trump was attempting to obtain a casino license, the state of New Jersey analyzed his finances and issued a report that cites his income and federal tax payments for 1975 through 1979. Politifact found that Trump's federal tax bill for the first three of those five years was $71,932 on a reported income of $219,334 (not adjusted for inflation)." The other two years, Trump did not federal taxes pay due to loses in excess of $3 million. Additionally, the returns themselves were never made public. There's only the casino commission report.
Two tax court cases from the early 1990s indicate that it is likely Trump paid no income taxes in 1984.
Separate documents from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Control and the Casino Control Commission obtained by Politico appear to indicate that Trump did not pay income taxes in 1991 and 1993 because "Trump's losses were large enough to prevent him from owing taxes." Trump's campaign responded to the Politico report with, "Welcome to the real estate business."
Trump at one point received a New York State property tax break that only applies to residents making $500,000 or less.
Trump said during the first presidential debate that not paying taxes "makes me smart."
In an interview with Meet the Press in January 2016, Trump said, "I try and pay as little tax as possible, because I hate what they do with my tax money. I hate the way they spend our money."
Trump has said since the primaries that the reason he won't release his tax returns is because they are under audit. Trump has not released a copy of the audit letter, but it is a reasonable assumption that he would be subject to a lengthy audit, given that his returns are so complex (Trump holds interests in some 500 separate entities, according to the financial disclosure reports presidential candidates are required to submit). The IRS has said, however, that being under audit does not preclude a person from releasing their returns to the public.
Trump's tax counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, sent a letter in March 2016 corroborating that Trump is under audit and has been since 2002. But the letter also said that inquiries from the year 2002 to 2008 have been closed "administratively." If one accepts that a presidential candidate's income tax returns under audit should not be released despite no legal impediment, Trump's returns from 2002 to 2008 could be released.
What We Don't Know
Trump's tax rate. In May, he told ABC News that his federal income tax rate was "none of your business."
What Trump earns. Trump has claimed his net worth is somewhere around $10 billion. Most recently, Forbes pegged it at $3.7 billion (a decline of $800 million). His tax returns would afford an approximation of his true net worth.
The extent of Trump's business interests, including foreign ventures.
Specifics surrounding Trump's debt. A Times investigation suggests that his companies have at least $650 million in debt, "twice the amount than can be gleaned from public filings he has made as part of his bid for the White House."
The extent of Trump's personal charitable giving, which would be itemized as deductions.
Quote (Interesting @ Oct 2 2016 02:02pm)
The real story is that Republicans want to elect someone whose businesses declared bankruptcy 6-8 times (having your rich dad buy 3.5 million of casino chips and never use them is kind of a bail out), who runs sham foundations and organizations, stiffs contractors and other businessmen, AND who posted a 915 MILLION DOLLAR LOSS in one year.
You want him as the CEO of the U.S.?
A small percentage of the Republican party. It really shows how empty the suits on stage with him were.
This is more of a reflection on how poor the GOP has become than anything else tbh.
This post was edited by Skinned on Oct 3 2016 04:59am
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