Galloism wrote:Novus America wrote:
Well sure, some people write stupid shit on theirs and the IRS does not audit or check everyone's. But Trump does not fill out his own tax returns, his lawyers and accountants do, and moreover he tax returns have been audited.
Ones that prominent do not just get passed through and dumped in a warehouse.
And if they had evidence of illegal behavior the IRS would have charged them. You (or your lawyer, CPA etc.) put on your tax returns what you want the government to know.
The are not secret diaries with your deepest darkest secrets. They are you telling the government about your finances.
Yes, but tax return secrecy is protected by law. IRS can't simply "turn over", unrequested, the prostitute's or blackmailer's return to local law enforcement.
That's illegal.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/6103
You are right, however, that Trump's lawyers wouldn't write "blackmail" on the return.
True, they are protected which is why we do not have acces to them. But they are not completely protected either, a court can demand you release them to an opposing party at times as well.
http://scholarship.law.duke.edu/cgi/vie ... ontext=dlj
Sure tax law is complicated. But like you said his lawyers would not put something like that on his tax returns anyways.