This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/11/mitt-romney-donald-trump-tax-returns-bombshell

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Donald Trump's refusal to release tax returns 'disqualifying' says Mitt Romney Donald Trump's refusal to release tax returns 'disqualifying' says Mitt Romney
(about 1 hour later)
Donald Trump’s refusal to release his tax returns is “disqualifying” for a presidential candidate, his predecessor as Republican nominee Mitt Romney has said.Donald Trump’s refusal to release his tax returns is “disqualifying” for a presidential candidate, his predecessor as Republican nominee Mitt Romney has said.
“There is only one logical explanation for Mr Trump’s refusal to release his returns: there is a bombshell in them,” Romney wrote. “Given Mr Trump’s equanimity with other flaws in his history, we can only assume it’s a bombshell of unusual size.”“There is only one logical explanation for Mr Trump’s refusal to release his returns: there is a bombshell in them,” Romney wrote. “Given Mr Trump’s equanimity with other flaws in his history, we can only assume it’s a bombshell of unusual size.”
Although not legally required of presidential candidates, the release of tax returns has been considered the norm for party nominees since Gerald Ford released a copy of his tax returns in 1976. Trump had previously declared in a presidential debate that he would release his tax information, shrugging off delays as due to the inherent complexity of his personal fortune. Trump said in an interview with the Associated Press on Wednesday that would not overrule legal advice not to publicly disclose his tax returns before an audit is completed - including if the audit is not completed before November’s election.
Although not legally required of presidential candidates, the release of tax returns has been considered the norm for party nominees since Gerald Ford released a copy of his tax returns in 1976. Trump has previously declared in a presidential debate that he would release his tax information, and shrugged off delays as due to the inherent complexity of his personal fortune.
Related: Trump and Clinton share Delaware tax 'loophole' address with 285,000 firmsRelated: Trump and Clinton share Delaware tax 'loophole' address with 285,000 firms
“I have very big tax returns,” Trump told NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday. “I’m sure you’ve seen the picture where the returns are literally from the floor to up to here. They’re extremely complex.”“I have very big tax returns,” Trump told NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday. “I’m sure you’ve seen the picture where the returns are literally from the floor to up to here. They’re extremely complex.”
Trump said in February, however, that audits of his federal income taxes prevented him from releasing his taxes, but that “as soon as the audit is done”, he would release his tax information.
There are no laws prohibiting tax returns under audit from being released. Richard Nixon released his own taxes under audit in 1973.There are no laws prohibiting tax returns under audit from being released. Richard Nixon released his own taxes under audit in 1973.
“It is disqualifying for a modern-day presidential nominee to refuse to release tax returns to the voters, especially one who has not been subject to public scrutiny in either military or public service,” Romney wrote. “Tax returns provide the public with its sole confirmation of the veracity of a candidate’s representations regarding charities, priorities, wealth, tax conformance, and conflicts of interest.”“It is disqualifying for a modern-day presidential nominee to refuse to release tax returns to the voters, especially one who has not been subject to public scrutiny in either military or public service,” Romney wrote. “Tax returns provide the public with its sole confirmation of the veracity of a candidate’s representations regarding charities, priorities, wealth, tax conformance, and conflicts of interest.”
He added: “Mr Trump says he is being audited. So? There is nothing that prevents releasing tax returns that are being audited. Further, he could release returns for the years immediately prior to the years under audit.”He added: “Mr Trump says he is being audited. So? There is nothing that prevents releasing tax returns that are being audited. Further, he could release returns for the years immediately prior to the years under audit.”
Romney stated: “While not a likely circumstance, the potential for hidden inappropriate associations with foreign entities, criminal organizations, or other unsavory groups is simply too great a risk to ignore for someone who is seeking to become commander-in-chief.”Romney stated: “While not a likely circumstance, the potential for hidden inappropriate associations with foreign entities, criminal organizations, or other unsavory groups is simply too great a risk to ignore for someone who is seeking to become commander-in-chief.”
Romney himself was criticized during the 2012 campaign for initially refusing to release his own returns, and then, upon their release, for not releasing any before the year 2010.Romney himself was criticized during the 2012 campaign for initially refusing to release his own returns, and then, upon their release, for not releasing any before the year 2010.
Trump sought to temper the row with a tweet: “In interview I told @AP that my taxes are under routine audit and I would release my tax returns when audit is complete, not after election!”