# Donald Trump, tax avoider **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 27, 2020, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-tax-avoider/921696 "2020-09-27T21:49:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2020, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-tax-avoider/921696/283 "2020-09-29T17:33:22Z")
You dont need a receipt to claim a reasonable amount. Say, max of $400 for a working married couple. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2020, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-tax-avoider/921696/284 "2020-09-29T17:35:42Z")
He wouldnt be under that much IRS audit if he were “generally compliance with the internal revenue code”. True, those audits dont mean actual tax fraud, either. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2020, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-tax-avoider/921696/285 "2020-09-29T17:43:34Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > > > fully agree that the President should at least be given as much scrutiny as I was – especially when a family member brags that they receive all the money they need from a foreign adversary. > > You want a mid-level Government official to have the power to decide the properly elected national leaders’ access? There is a reason why in pretty much every place the chief executive of a country does not have the classification rules apply to them. The check on them is political, not legal. No, I want a mid-level Government official with expertise in security to provide information to the public as to whether a CANDIDATE for the highest elected office in the nation could be a security risk to the nation. Before the election. So that voters can decide if they want to vote for that candidate. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2020, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-tax-avoider/921696/286 "2020-09-29T17:52:25Z")
> [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#): > > MSNBC/CNN of course either minimizes this idea, or just doesn’t mention it at all, so they can leave the impression that Trump is cheating: “OH MY GOD, TRUMP ONLY PAID $750 IN TAXES!!!” This is such an inaccurate summary of MSNBC and CNN’s coverage that I can only assume you watch cable news reflected in a funhouse mirror if you do indeed watch it at all. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2020, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-tax-avoider/921696/287 "2020-09-29T17:53:59Z")
> [@Kearsen1](#): > > I don’t know why it’s confusing some of you that people actually want to try and keep as much money as they make as they can. Zero people are confused by this. Zero. The only one confused is the straw man you constructed. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2020, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-tax-avoider/921696/288 "2020-09-29T17:56:43Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > But what lies are you refuting? I’m sorry if I missed it earlier. MSNBC is happy to _not_ tell its viewers that even though Trump only paid $750 in taxes, they have no reason to believe he broke any laws in order for his “bill” to be so low, because that would result in Trump not looking as bad if they did so. I brought this up because since working from home due to the virus, I’ve had a chance to watch/listen to a lot of MSNBC and FOX, and overall, _during the day, mind you_, think that FOX is more fair and balanced in discussing the issues, regularly has guests on from both the left and right, where both are asked respectful questions. MSNBC rarely if ever has a Republican on. From 8pm on, FOX is of course a complete travesty. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2020, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-tax-avoider/921696/289 "2020-09-29T17:57:25Z")
> [@Max\_S](#): > > Conservation-easement is where you get a tax break for promising not to develop certain land Thanks for this info, Max. Yikes. I’m on the board of a land trust/conservancy that deals mainly in conservation easements, and I’m perturbed to have any association with the orange turd, however distant. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2020, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-tax-avoider/921696/290 "2020-09-29T18:00:46Z")
Maybe you’re right, but I don’t think so. Thanks for the reply. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2020, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-tax-avoider/921696/291 "2020-09-29T18:02:07Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Are you talking money or Ivanka? **Moderating** Note: Let’s dial back accusations/jokes about incest in this forum. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2020, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-tax-avoider/921696/292 "2020-09-29T18:10:27Z")
Consultants? hes consulting the llama herder. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2020, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-tax-avoider/921696/293 "2020-09-29T18:15:31Z")
If one believes it’s irrelevant whether or not Trump broke the law for this, then of course one has no problem with not being told this. But is he cheating? Where is the evidence as of this point, other than conjecture? Because they way I’m hearing it, Trump had lots of losses and found a way to minimize his taxes because of them. So to be clear, I’m talking about MSNBC and the $750. I don’t have access to the Times story. Do they have such evidence of cheating, by which I mean law-breaking? ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2020, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-tax-avoider/921696/294 "2020-09-29T18:21:31Z")
Yes. Read the Times story. There is plenty of evidence of law breaking. You could also watch cable news. They are covering the evidence of law breaking extensively and not, contrary to reports in this thread, just saying “OH MY GOD, TRUMP ONLY PAID $750 IN TAXES!!!” That’s made up bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2020, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-tax-avoider/921696/295 "2020-09-29T18:29:50Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > which means he gave zero to Churches also. Why DO the Evangelicals love him? Well, I can’t find a cite for it, so I should retract that claim. I apologize for not making sure it was cited first. Sorry JohnnyLA also. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2020, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-tax-avoider/921696/296 "2020-09-29T18:39:16Z")
He has not released his tax returns. He needs to and it is a national emergency right now. Until then the media should place pressure on him to do so, because we need them. IMO this is what that pressure looks like from an ethical news media. The reporters are financial reporters, who would be qualified to write responsible factual stories. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2020, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-tax-avoider/921696/297 "2020-09-29T18:44:53Z")
Trump’s policy appears to be to keep as much money that he _didn’t_ make as he can. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2020, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-tax-avoider/921696/298 "2020-09-29T18:48:54Z")
What exactly is “cheating” on your tax return? Do you mean a Negligence penalty? A Substantial Understatement penalty? Civil Fraud? Criminal fraud? You cant really tell from a tax return if fraud has been committed. You _can_ easily see that the numbers look suspicious. Trump- by his own admission- has been under audit for years now. The IRS doesnt do that if your returns are peachy keen (in fact, if you are audited and you dont owe, you are generally given a audit pass for two years- clearly that didnt happen here). Clearly, there are serious and deep issues with the returns- and to me that means "_cheating"_. Whether or not those rise to criminal or civil fraud we dont know yet. If only civil fraud, we may never know. That is confidential. If criminal fraud- that sort of thing takes a lot of time and we likely wont see the indictment until after trump leaves office. Especially since if there is one, no doubt the Director of the IRS will be fired by trump if there a indictment while trump is still in office. That puts a pall on any sort of quick action. So, by my definition, yes, trump was cheating, that much he has even admitted. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2020, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-tax-avoider/921696/299 "2020-09-29T18:56:10Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > You could also watch cable news. Not Fox “News”, though. > **[Fox News Would Rather Not Admit Trump Is a Giant Crook](https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/09/fox-news-defends-trump-taxes)** > > A massive New York Times report on Trump’s tax fraud was too big for even Fox News to ignore. Instead, they brought on Don Jr. to play defense. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2020, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-tax-avoider/921696/300 "2020-09-29T19:12:34Z")
> [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > Well, I can’t find a cite for it, so I should retract that claim. I apologize for not making sure it was cited first. Sorry JohnnyLA also. Well, I could say it anyway. It might even be more believable than Trump. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2020, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-tax-avoider/921696/301 "2020-09-29T19:17:33Z")
Perhaps. You will be surprised to learn I am not an expert in the tax laws of countries where I do not live. I suspect the claim is contestable. But we agree this was not the only issue raised by the Times. However, it was the only substantive issue raised by the Review. This is the greatest misuse of credits since _someone_ I know cheated to get the arcade high score on “Dragon’s Lair”. Maybe even greater. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2020, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-tax-avoider/921696/302 "2020-09-29T19:22:25Z")
Lol @ those arguing that the man who had his charitable foundation shut down for fraud is being honest on his taxes. 😂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-tax-avoider/921696.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-tax-avoider/921696.md?page=16)