Should political candidates be required to release their recent tax returns to the public?
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
@9FS5XJP6mos6MO
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
@8JSC4QSRepublican3yrs3Y
It is their own choice to do so
@94N2NJX2yrs2Y
No, abolish income taxes
@5D4428G3yrs3Y
Should have to submit taxes, birth certificate, and have a mental exam also
@5DTVT6X3yrs3Y
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
@5D3BY6R3yrs3Y
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
@9GN5KWP5mos5MO
Yes, and require a public audit during each year of their term. Also require the release of medical records.
@9D3RPBQ8mos8MO
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.
@9CFJ5BV9mos9MO
No, Presidential candidates should not have to give up their rights to run.
Deleted8mos8MO
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.
@9L3X38T4 days4D
No American government job is just to serve the interest of their citizens and not their personal matter.
@9L33HWCRepublican6 days6D
I don't think it should be required, I think that some should just so that the people of the country have something to look at
@9L2H4K7Independent7 days7D
Yes, all important information that they can obtain by being in office should be available for citizen to look at.
@9KZJWZN1wk1W
Yes, but only if the candidate has spent at least one term of their career in office. Candidates that are fresh from the private sector should be exempt.
@9KZDSVK1wk1W
Potentially yes and require an audit. It's mostly so public office holders shouldn't be able to benefit from said office.
@9KMM27RIndependent3wks3W
Yes but to non-partisan "jury" who then relay their findings without releasing too specific and sensitive details/numbers
@9KFRZWF4wks4W
No, political candidates are still citizens and entitled to the same rights of privacy as anyone else and should not be required to disclose their personal records unless there are concerns about corruption or the ability of the candidate.
@9KFLCNZ4wks4W
I believe what they choose to do with the money they receive is more important than how much money they receive in their tax returns.
@9KBNP3J4wks4W
Yes, because this shows the motives behind the stances they take on political issues involving taxes and funding.
@9K8ZYQVProgressive 1mo1MO
Yes, if it is necessary to prove something or perceived as important for a specific and valid reason.
@9K6546R1mo1MO
Yes, and not only political candidates, but also current politicians. Additionally, politicians should agree to complete surrender of financial privacy.
@9K3QMKV1mo1MO
Yes, I think that they should have their tax returns looked at but not released to the public. but if they want to they can.
@9K3PHBL1mo1MO
Yes, for the good of the public knowledge since they are representing the public in the first place.
@6LV5ZML 1mo1MO
They should be required to release all financials publicly during their time in office as a public servant; but releasing financials when they’re a private citizen should be encouraged but optional.
Deleted1mo1MO
Both Yes and No, and also required to release their medical records; and require a public audit each year they are in office; their income is none of our business; I would respect them more if they did but they shouldn't be required to; tax returns have nothing to do with their ability perform their duties.
@9JZ6N38Libertarian1mo1MO
Any publicly funded employee should be required to share tax returns. Police, fire, teachers, military, and all politicians until they retire or have not collected a tax payer supported income for 20+ years.
@9HLBV844mos4MO
No, there is no point in giving taxes to a disgusting system other than self-defense. We demand proper returns for our taxes!
@9HJWSKZ 4mos4MO
There should be an independent auditor and not released to the public...slippery slope. It can be used as a political weapon
@9HJDVPH4mos4MO
yes but, only to certain security clearance during the election process just to make sure it is up to date.
@9HHLRTJ 4mos4MO
yes, this would allow the voter to see where the candidate got the money to found his campaign ag. it be illegitimately gained or gained it through questionable means, as well as the presidential candidates should have to go through a competency screening , ag they should not have mental disabilities.
@9HD3VZ24mos4MO
Yes, but also required to release their medical records, and require a public audit each year they are in office
@59Q3292Republican 4mos4MO
Yes, but to a non-partisan committee to ensure the candidate isn't being influenced by foreign powers and monies.
@9HBPLTL4mos4MO
It should not have to be public, but it should be checked by an individual who can determine if they are using everything properly and not taking advantage of it.
@9HB3L5B4mos4MO
I think that they shouldn't be required to release their tax returns unless they are doing something with their taxes that people wouldn't support.
@9GXCJ7M5mos5MO
We need to see what they make, but we should see that they're paying taxes and putting money toward good causes.
@9GCG5N5Libertarian5mos5MO
No yhey should have some privacy from the public, but ensure oversight that they have paid taxes. Filed all tax returns as a law abiding citizen before being on the ballot.
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