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I have no idea who is advising Mitt Romney on how to handle questions about his history of paying or not paying taxes. But whoever it is should probably get fired.
Perhaps Harry Reid’s taunts about hearing from a reliable source that Romney stiffed Uncle Sam entirely over the last decade had an impact after all. Otherwise why would he go out of his way to let it be known he paid “no less” than a 13% tax rate during the years for which he is refusing to release his returns?
I mean, 13% is not a high rate for a guy with Mitt’s wealth; certainly nothing approaching the allegedly confiscatory rates the poor job-creators of America are toiling under, making them wonder each and every day if it’s time to Go Gault. And the number raises the rather obvious question: 13% of what? Total income? Adjusted Gross Income? Taxable income? Ezra Klein suggests it may be that last measurement, which may be the only one under which he can claim a double-digit tax burden.
If he intends to gut it out and never release his tax returns, he might be better off just saying “It’s none of your damn business, and if I’d done anything wrong, the IRS would have locked me in leg-irons by now.” This drip-drip-drip of undocumented assertions raises a lot more questions than it answers.
Mitt reminds me of a guy I once knew who was asked in a job interview about his religious practices, which were somewhere between non-existent and hey-I-listen-to-Christmas-music! Instead of admitting that, he kept making excuses to the interviewer (who pretty much thought everyone should be forced to go to church weekly) about his busy schedule and good intentions and so on and so forth. He didn’t get the job, but talked about the interview, and soon gained the nickname of “Digger.” Mitt’s a “digger,” too.
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dp on August 16, 2012 4:57 PM:
I think O'Donnell is correct -- Romney can't release any more returns because he likely took advantage of the 2009 amnesty to admit his overseas accounts.
So I suspect we'll never see them. But the pressure should be maintained.
K in VA on August 16, 2012 4:57 PM:
"Digger" was the nickname for Aussie troops in WWI. Diggers were good folks, so you insult their memory by using their nickname for an increasingly odious Yank.
Wapiti on August 16, 2012 4:58 PM:
Perhaps Harry Reid’s taunts about hearing from a reliable source that Romney stiffed Uncle Sam entirely over the last decade had an impact after all.
From Washington Post, July 31: "Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) claimed Tuesday in an interview that Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney refuses to release additional tax returns because he didn’t pay taxes for 10 years."
Senator Reid and/or Reid's sources didn't specify the 10 years - I'd assume it was while Romney was at Bain, not after he left Bain. But if Romney wants to flail around, I'm happy to watch.
hells littlest angel on August 16, 2012 5:09 PM:
Just because Romney was never charged with the crime of income tax evasion, that doesn't mean the IRS didn't nail him at some time, or forgive him under an amnesty.
jim filyaw on August 16, 2012 5:09 PM:
the average joe, who works his butt off for "job creators" like willard is lucky to keep 60% of his $40,000 from the tax collectors (state, local, and federal), while this "unemployed" jerk clips coupons and keeps 87% of his millions!
if we elect these two frauds, why don't we just do it right and bestow titles on them as well. the koch brothers ought to be worth a baronage or two.
dalloway on August 16, 2012 5:10 PM:
And he said "taxes," not "income taxes." For all we know, he's counting state, local, property, sales and corporate taxes. Or he's pulling the figure completely out of his posterior just to make the questions stop. From what I've seen of Mittsy, I'd bet on that.
c u n d gulag on August 16, 2012 5:13 PM:
HR Representative:
'So, Mr. Romney, you graduated from Harvard with an MBA and a law degree.
And that you graduated, 'Magma Cum Later (when Dad pays for it), and "Why's He/She In National/International Young Leaders."
Can you provide any proof of this, uhm... "impressive" resume?'
"Why yes. As soon as you hire me, I'll make my grades at my schools fully available!"
It's hard to believe, but I think he looks worse to most people - MOST of them/us don't pay 13%.
And 13% of WHAT?
Peter C on August 16, 2012 5:22 PM:
Isn't it illegal to ask someone about their religion in a job interview, by the way?
@K in VA: I'm sure "digger" comes from "when you find yourself in a hole, STOP DIGGING!"
Romney is a fool to mention his taxes at all. We really don't need to have a fool for a president again.
dp on August 16, 2012 5:24 PM:
I'm self-employed. The S/E tax ALONE is over 12% (leaving out current reductions). And federal and state income tax are on top of that. So even if it's accurate, 13% ain't real impressive, Willard.
T2 on August 16, 2012 5:42 PM:
Both Mitt and his wife have been real touchy with this tax stuff. Obama showed his taxes and apparently they were normal for a relatively rich guy like him. It defies belief that Romney would go through all this, which is hurting him in polls, if he didn't think, as both he and his wife have said, that something in there will that will give their opponents "more ammunition".
jmg on August 16, 2012 5:59 PM:
Pretty sure that digger would have grounds for a nice little law suit if he was asked about his religious practices and then denied a position because of it. Unless he was applying for a church job.
digitusmedius on August 16, 2012 6:06 PM:
And is it an average of 13%; I think Mittens left that door ajar.
emmie on August 16, 2012 6:27 PM:
I think the relevant point here (which others have mentioned) is that he doesn't say he's paid 13% in INCOME taxes. That's what he should be specifically asked about. Come on, press, do your job!
del on August 16, 2012 7:16 PM:
He stonewalled on his taxes when he ran for Gov of Mass and they did not get the info to prove he lived in Utah for years and did not meet Mass residency requirements. Since he got away with it before, he believes he can get away with it again. We should not let him get away with not releasing his taxes a 2nd time no matter what his wife says.
Robert Waldmann on August 16, 2012 7:25 PM:
It seems to me that the interviewers behavior is a blatant violation of the 1964 civil rights act which bans discrimination on the basis of religion and, IIRC, bans discrimination against agnostics and atheists.
Did you suggest to your friend that he should, as a good citizen, alert the civil rights division of the Justice Department ?
AndThenThere'sThat on August 16, 2012 7:28 PM:
Let me get this straight. As the GOP Presidential candidate, one of the planks Romney is running on is cutting taxes for "job creators" because the onerous taxes on "job creators" suppresses the economy. As a self proclaimed "job creator", you'd think Romney would be proudly out there showing everyone with a TV camera his burdensome taxes and explaining why he thinks they need to be reduced for the benefit of everyone. But no, instead, no tax records beyond last year's preparatory "I'm running for President for Pete's sake" tax return.
No wonder people are guessing as to why that is. Did Romney's taxes actually go down under President Obama? Did he in fact pay closer to 0% taxes as a percentage of total income over the last 10 years? 15 years? Did he get amnesty in 2009 for his overseas accounts?
Romney also said in this interview that his "charitable givings" brought his "percentage" to "well above" 20%. Were some or all of those givings directed at the Mormon church? If yes, then did some or all go to the parish where he is Bishop? Did he get tax right-offs for directing money to the church he is leading? Does Romney consider charitable givings as a tax since he includes it in his statement on his tax records?
Inquiring minds want to know.
rikyrah on August 16, 2012 7:44 PM:
the hilarious thing between him and his wife is like…
how dare you peasants question us?
it reeks from every pore of their being.
and we, the peasants are like..
Mofo, just show us the damn tax returns.
.................
Also, more than one person has pointed out that he never says FEDERAL INCOME TAXES…...
How come he never says FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
there are a whole lotta taxes out there.
uh huh
.............................
the only thing that I don't think is in Willard's tax returns is that he didn't tithe. Oh, I believe he tithed his 10% to the Mormons. I also believe, after reading the Mormon, Inc. article, that Willard did plenty of business deals with the Mormons, using their TAX EXEMPT STATUS, to get out of paying MILLIONS of dollars in taxes. ...
which, I also think would be hard to explain to us common folk.
emjayay on August 16, 2012 9:26 PM:
The lovely Mrs. Romney said they weren't revealing any more than the minimum required because the Democrats will just make up all kinds of ridiculuos crap like they already did about what they did reveal. Oddly enough, I don't remember much of anything that was made of the revealed year, except pointing out that the current tax code, unlike say under Reagan, charges millionaire investors half what normal working stiffs pay, and perhaps a bit of sniggering over a $77,000 business deduction for something that is a hobby/pet/luxury item, not a business.
I don't believe the interviewer pointed any of this up. Way to go, "journalist". Terry Gross should interview the pompous privledged bitch.
emjayay on August 16, 2012 9:29 PM:
The lovely Mrs. Romney said they weren't revealing any more than the minimum required because the Democrats will just make up all kinds of ridiculuos crap like they already did about what they did reveal. Oddly enough, I don't remember much of anything that was made of the revealed year, except pointing out that the current tax code, unlike say under Reagan, charges millionaire investors half what normal working stiffs pay, and perhaps a bit of sniggering over a $77,000 business deduction for something that is a hobby/pet/luxury item, not a business.
I don't believe the interviewer pointed any of this up. Way to go, "journalist". Terry Gross should interview the pompous privledged bitch.
emjayay on August 16, 2012 9:32 PM:
Sorry about the duplication. It happened because WM just sat there spinning for several minutes without appearing to post anything so I copied, closed, reopened, and reposted.
del on August 17, 2012 9:19 AM:
You know the Republicans have been spouting off about those who do not pay taxes, the 47% as they say are not doing their fair share. But as we know they pay sales taxes, state taxes, and all other sort of taxes just not Federal Income Taxes as they do not make enough. Is Mitt paying the same sort of taxes and not Federal Income taxes? So that would put him in the same boat as those they consider not paying their fair share, right? That would show their hypocrisy to the max.
Crystal on August 17, 2012 10:42 AM:
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Anonymous on August 17, 2012 11:33 AM:
13% of WHAT, yes... but also WHAT IS INCLUDED in that 13%? Is he talking just Federal income taxes? Or ALL his taxes including state, federal, local, property, etc.? I make lowish wages, and all my taxes together takes about 34% of my gross income.
AMS on August 17, 2012 2:21 PM:
This issue isn't going away. One of the (few) specific things we know about Romney's economic plan is that it will reduce taxes on people like him EVEN MORE while raising them on the middle class. In that context, his current effective tax rate is highly relevant to the question: can this man be trusted as a steward of the country's general welfare?
I, too, believe that the failure to specify that he paid at least 13% federal income tax is not accidental. He's a Harvard Law School graduate, after all---he knows how to parse his words carefully.
The only question I have is: why is this election close? It's a tribute to the effectiveness of the Republican messaging machine. By rights, Romney/Ryan should be polling about 35% of the electorate.
Amit Joshi on August 17, 2012 3:32 PM:
From the 2010 return he did release, it's clear that:
1. He must have stuffed his IRA full of deliberately undervalued Bain shares, which his partners then bought at a huge markup. That's the only way the IRA now holds $100 mil. If this huge run-up in share value was part of his extended retirement negotiations, then it's also a felony, a fraud conspiracy.
2. He had a Swiss bank account hanging around in 2010, which he then closed. If that account was hidden before 2009, and declared to the IRS as part of the 2009 amnesty, then he must have paid back taxes, fines and interest. If it turns out that he did pay roughly 13% on average, that might be how! So someone should ask him if he filed any amended returns in the past 5 years, and if so, why. Remember, he has a history of doing this: he amended his prior returns when he ran for Governor. And claimed he had always filed as a MA resident, even though he hadn't! And he knew he hadn't filed as a MA resident when he lied to the media about it, since he had already filed the amended returns when he said so!