To: Donald Trump
Donald Trump Release Your Tax Return
Presidential candidates began releasing their returns consistently starting in the early 1970's according to Thorndike, and in 1978, all presidential and vice presidential candidates were required to release certain financial documents as a result of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, which mandates all candidates running for office of President of the United States to file a Public Financial Disclosure Report with the Federal Election Commission. Is Donald Trump above the law?
Why is this important?
Donald Trump should release his tax returns because it is the right thing to do. If he has nothing to hide then release. The American people need transparency and Donald Trump is not above the law and American values. Sen. John McCain released two years when he ran for office in 2008, but his wife Cindy, who files separately, released partial returns. President Barack Obama has released 12 years of tax returns. There is a bill being proposed. The bill, called the Presidential Tax Transparency Act, 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.