And so it finally begins?
https://www.npr.org/2019/04/03/709656118/key-house-democrat-formally-asks-for-trumps-tax-returns
https://www.npr.org/2019/04/03/709656118/key-house-democrat-formally-asks-for-trumps-tax-returns
Massachusetts Democrat Richard Neal, chairman of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, is requesting six years of Trump's personal tax returns and the returns for some of his businesses for the years 2013-2018. Neal argues that Congress, his committee in particular, needs to conduct oversight of the IRS, including its policy of auditing the tax returns of sitting presidents.
That one will end up in court.
Law says Congress is entitled. Nothing for court to challenge.That one will end up in court.
An accounting firm is asking the House Oversight and Reform Committee to issue it a subpoena before sending lawmakers 10 years of President Donald Trump’s financial records, the panel’s chairman said on Wednesday, adding that the firm intends to turn over the documents. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) told reporters that Mazars USA, a tax and accounting firm, has asked the committee for a so-called “friendly” subpoena so that it can formalize the process of complying with the panel’s request. “They have told us that they will provide the information pretty much when they have a subpoena,” Cummings said. “And we’ll get them a subpoena.”
I would assume that accounting firm has a copy of his returns. The "friendly subpoena" covers them.You like that? How about kicking it up a notch with Donny Dollhands' accounting firm asking for a "friendly subpoena" before they hand over his accounting information?
and so the beginning continues...
But..but... the audit.
I'm sure it will end up in court anyway but yes as others have mentioned Trump has no case and will lose swiftly. Congress is explicitly authorized to access the tax returns of any American it chooses to.
If you support the rule of law then everyone here should be 100% in support of Congress getting Trump's returns without any reservations whatsoever.
Then it will have to go to the SCOTUS again, as it has already been decided that Congress has a constitutional right.That one will end up in court.
[QUOTE="fskimospy, post: 39784648, member: 191266"]I'm sure it will end up in court anyway but yes as others have mentioned Trump has no case and will lose swiftly. Congress is explicitly authorized to access the tax returns of any American it chooses to.
If you support the rule of law then everyone here should be 100% in support of Congress getting Trump's returns without any reservations whatsoever.
[QUOTE="fskimospy, post: 39784648, member: 191266"]I'm sure it will end up in court anyway but yes as others have mentioned Trump has no case and will lose swiftly. Congress is explicitly authorized to access the tax returns of any American it chooses to.
If you support the rule of law then everyone here should be 100% in support of Congress getting Trump's returns without any reservations whatsoever.
what fuckery is this?Who is paying for the lawyers/courts time? DJD or taxpayer?
Who is paying for the lawyers/courts time? DJD or taxpayer?
"The audit" was always a dumb excuse...Dems are also trying to find out whether there even was an on-going audit before Trump became President.But..but... the audit.
Who is paying for the lawyers/courts time? DJD or taxpayer?
What do you mean, "audit the IRS"?Just because a law authorizes that power for Congress does not mean it cannot be challenged. If there is some argument that exercising such a power in this way conflicts with the Constitution, than the law can be challenged. Similar arguments would be made if Congress explicitly requested tax returns of select Republicans. If their intent is to audit the President and not the IRS, then there is a conflict here. I think that they have adequate grounds to investigate the President's taxes, and the request should stand up as Congress fulfilling their duty to supervise the President, but I would not be conflicted if this were fairly examined by a court and decided against.
"The audit" was always a dumb excuse...Dems are also trying to find out whether there even was an on-going audit before Trump became President.
What do you mean, "audit the IRS"?
Just because a law authorizes that power for Congress does not mean it cannot be challenged. If there is some argument that exercising such a power in this way conflicts with the Constitution, than the law can be challenged. Similar arguments would be made if Congress explicitly requested tax returns of select Republicans. If their intent is to audit the President and not the IRS, then there is a conflict here. I think that they have adequate grounds to investigate the President's taxes, and the request should stand up as Congress fulfilling their duty to supervise the President, but I would not be conflicted if this were fairly examined by a court and decided against.
Upon written request from the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives, the chairman of the Committee on Finance of the Senate, or the chairman of the Joint Committee on Taxation, the Secretary shall furnish such committee with any return or return information specified in such request, except that any return or return information which can be associated with, or otherwise identify, directly or indirectly, a particular taxpayer shall be furnished to such committee only when sitting in closed executive session unless such taxpayer otherwise consents in writing to such disclosure.
They have requested them in the past as it is their duty to be able to determine the effects their laws have on tax policy. Not for individuals specifically. There is no conflict.To be clear you're saying if Congress is requesting Trump's tax returns to look for irregularities in them that would be a conflict? Why on earth would that be true? That's probably one of the most important reasons to request them.
Here's US code on the issue:
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/6103
Congress doesn't even have to give a reason, they get any tax return they want, any time they want it. Period. This isn't just a slam dunk, this is a trampoline slam dunk.
Also, once they have his tax returns they are free to release them to the House in its entirety which will ensure they are leaked to the public. So basically Congress if it wants to can obtain and publish any American's tax returns just to fuck with them if they feel like it.