# Why won't Romney release his tax returns? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 1, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085 "2012-08-01T18:35:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 29
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/561 "2012-08-10T02:28:53Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > Whether you agree with the reasoning, there’s nothing blatantly hypocritical about this line Not necessarily, but it smacks of special pleading. > [@Dangerosa](#): > > Buffet would be another well known liberal Doesn’t seem all that [liberal to me](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eat-the-press/2006/09/07/warren-buffett-has-no-gra_e_28880.html) (unless we’re discussing liberals in the way vonMises uses the term, in which case he could qualify). ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/562 "2012-08-10T02:47:44Z")
> [@gamerunknown](#): > > Doesn’t seem all that [liberal to me](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eat-the-press/2006/09/07/warren-buffett-has-no-gra_e_28880.html) (unless we’re discussing liberals in the way vonMises uses the term, in which case he could qualify). He self identifies as a Democrat, supports liberal causes, is openly for gay marriage, believes higher income people (such as himself) should be taxed more. He’s pretty liberal for a very rich white guy from Omaha. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/563 "2012-08-10T02:50:43Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > He’s really been backed into a corner now - > > 1. If he releases the returns, it looks like he has “caved” to Reid’s pressure > 2. If he doesn’t release, then the other side continues to make hay of the situation and throw accusations of wrong doing. > > So then how? > > Perhaps one way out - get someone to “leak” his returns (ala wikileaks style). > > What’s gonna happen then? > > The returns are out there - so pressure is off Romney, at the same time he gets to scream and shout about dishonesty and underhandeness of the way they were released. > > And on top of that, if there is anything bad in the documents - he gets to claim that they were “doctored” before they were released. The problem with the doctored claim is that the IRS is going to have copies on file. If he screams “doctored” too loudly, it will be pointed out the the IRS will do him the favor of providing him his old returns. So will his accountant for comparison purposes. It had better be true that they were doctored, especially if there is any indication of tax evasion. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/564 "2012-08-10T02:53:25Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > He’s really been backed into a corner now - > > 1. If he releases the returns, it looks like he has “caved” to Reid’s pressure > 2. If he doesn’t release, then the other side continues to make hay of the situation and throw accusations of wrong doing. > > So then how? > > Perhaps one way out - get someone to “leak” his returns (ala wikileaks style). > > What’s gonna happen then? > > The returns are out there - so pressure is off Romney, at the same time he gets to scream and shout about dishonesty and underhandeness of the way they were released. > > And on top of that, if there is anything bad in the documents - he gets to claim that they were “doctored” before they were released. Clever idea. I like it. I mean, I hope he doesn’t actually do it, because I’m too amused by the status quo, but it’s clever. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/565 "2012-08-10T03:47:37Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > The problem with the doctored claim is that the IRS is going to have copies on file. If he screams “doctored” too loudly, it will be pointed out the the IRS will do him the favor of providing him his old returns. So will his accountant for comparison purposes. It had better be true that they were doctored, especially if there is any indication of tax evasion. WILL or CAN? He can scream “doctored” and we will be back to square one whereby he refuses to release the “real” ones. The IRS can never release without his permission right? On the other hand, here in Singapore - if a private citizen makes such claims, the authorities can and will rebut those claims by releasing your personal information / the facts about the dealings you have with them. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/566 "2012-08-10T11:36:54Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > WILL or CAN? > > He can scream “doctored” and we will be back to square one whereby he refuses to release the “real” ones. > > The IRS can never release without his permission right? > > On the other hand, here in Singapore - if a private citizen makes such claims, the authorities can and will rebut those claims by releasing your personal information / the facts about the dealings you have with them. No, they can’t. But he has the power to provide proof of undoctored returns from two sources should “doctored returns” leak - his accountant and the IRS. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/567 "2012-08-10T12:30:38Z")
Maybe that’s what Reid and his ilk will do next - forge some documents and release them. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/568 "2012-08-10T12:33:53Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Maybe that’s what Reid and his ilk will do next - forge some documents and release them. > > Regards, > Shodan And even if he doesn’t, I’m sure the folks on your side will SAY he did, even if Romney ends up being the one releasing them, if they’re less-than-squeaky-clean. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/569 "2012-08-10T12:35:16Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Maybe that’s what Reid and his ilk will do next - forge some documents and release them. > > Regards, > Shodan And if they do, Romney has the power to have the IRS directly release official returns. If he doesn’t, and claims the returns were doctored without proving it, he’s on less firm ground with the middle than he is now (the right will believe his story regardless, the left will believe he’s guilty regardless - this is a fight for the middle). If he accepts the doctoring, Reid will have won. If he releases his returns as a result of it, Reid will have gotten what he wants. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/570 "2012-08-10T12:42:54Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > No, they can’t. But he has the power to provide proof of undoctored returns from two sources should “doctored returns” leak - his accountant and the IRS. Only if they’re the long-form returns. And maybe not even then. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/571 "2012-08-10T13:03:24Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Only if they’re the long-form returns. And maybe not even then. Is there a snowballs chance in hell that Romney isn’t filing a long form. I suspect his tax return is above three hundred pages. Mine is two hundred and I don’t have any trusts, offshore income, or self employment income. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/572 "2012-08-10T13:16:03Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > Is there a snowballs chance in hell that Romney isn’t filing a long form. I suspect his tax return is above three hundred pages. Mine is two hundred and I don’t have any trusts, offshore income, or self employment income. He was making a joke about Obama’s “long form birth certificate.” Also, out of genuine curiosity, what the heck goes into a two hundred page tax return? Mine’s, like, three pages iirc. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/573 "2012-08-10T13:46:28Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > If he accepts the doctoring, Reid will have won. If he releases his returns as a result of it, Reid will have gotten what he wants. Right - just like now with Reid’s claims about the informant. Reid doesn’t think Romney is going to release his returns, thus Reid is free to make whatever claims he likes. Tax returns are supposed to be confidential. If Reid starts waving around something he claims is Romney’s tax returns, Reid is damn well going to say where he got it. Even if someone forges something, Romney doesn’t have to, and probably won’t, release his returns. Some Leftwing Nutcase: “Look, I got copies of Romney’s tax returns, and they show he took deductions for NAMBLA contributions!” Romney: “That is a forgery.” MSM: “Prove that it is a forgery.” The IRS and FBI: “Mr. S L Nutcase has been arrested for forgery.” Romney: “Is that enough proof for you?” It wouldn’t be enough for the Dems, but to the rest of us, probably. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/574 "2012-08-10T13:48:57Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > And even if he doesn’t, I’m sure the folks on your side will SAY he did, even if Romney ends up being the one releasing them, if they’re less-than-squeaky-clean. I doubt many Republicans are going to claim that Romney released forged tax returns. Do you recognize how ridiculous your claim sounds, or not? Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/575 "2012-08-10T14:35:12Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > He was making a joke about Obama’s “long form birth certificate.” If Romney does give in to public demand and release the returns, how many people are going to suspect that the reason for the delay was that he needed time to cook up some phony books? It would be a sort of poetic justice, at least… ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/576 "2012-08-10T14:38:52Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > If Romney does give in to public demand and release the returns, how many people are going to suspect that the reason for the delay was that he needed time to cook up some phony books? It would be a sort of poetic justice, at least… It certainly would cross my mind. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/577 "2012-08-10T14:43:33Z")
[quote=“Eric “Etch-a-Sketch” Fehrnstrom, post:548, topic:630085”] He suggested O’Brien was being disingenuous by releasing only her returns,\*\* whereas Romney took a “principled position”\*\* [/QUOTE] Oh, man, how much Botox did he have to inject in order to say that with a straight face? ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/578 "2012-08-10T14:45:13Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > He was making a joke about Obama’s “long form birth certificate.” > > Also, out of genuine curiosity, what the heck goes into a two hundred page tax return? Mine’s, like, three pages iirc. Whooshed. But the two situations are politically similar. Obama is in a corner because what is being demanded isn’t something that exists. It’s a made up thing…yet, it hasn’t gone away. Romneys tax returns do exist, and can be released. That won’t make the issue go away any more than the birth certificat Obama has provided, there are still nutcases, but the reasonable middle will be assured. ---
**Author:** ![Oldeb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ea666f/32.png) [@Oldeb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oldeb)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/579 "2012-08-10T14:54:37Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Tax returns are supposed to be confidential. Romney can thank his own father for this traditionally not being true for presidential candidates. If Romney truly wished to remain a private individual without constant and blatant scrutiny he would not be running for president. There isn’t a more public job in the country. > [@](#): > > Even if someone forges something, Romney doesn’t have to, and probably won’t, release his returns. Likely true, although it does not appear to be a sound strategy. Romney needs it out of the news cycle. Constant media dissecting of fake returns is only going to highlight the lack of real returns. > [@](#): > > Some Leftwing Nutcase: “Look, I got copies of Romney’s tax returns, and they show he took deductions for NAMBLA contributions!” > > Romney: “That is a forgery.” > > MSM: “Prove that it is a forgery.” > > The IRS and FBI: “Mr. S L Nutcase has been arrested for forgery.” > > Romney: “Is that enough proof for you?” This scenario can not exist. Notice how nobody has been prosecuted for the fake Kenyan birth certificates? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/580 "2012-08-10T14:56:01Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > If Romney does give in to public demand and release the returns, how many people are going to suspect that the reason for the delay was that he needed time to cook up some phony books? And we can point to all the layers in the PDF file as proof! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085.md?page=28) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085.md?page=30)