But aren't taxes prepared when you submit them to the IRS?

Nothing else needs to be altered at all.

In fact, nothing else should be altered.

blah number of rental properties, of which we only rent x number for 1/2 of year. We invest in ABC business too, w/ abc % ownership (thus share in abc% of losses and gains). We both have 401ks too, as well as vested interest in pension A and pension B and receive xyz monthly income from. We file taxes in xx states, and yy cities.

This narrative would be critical in establishing income flows being received and whatever taxable or not, expenses deductible or not, and so forth. Then perhaps an intelligent analysis of taxes can be done.

which would include all the schedules and all state returns - not just the 1040. If you have the complete returns no explanation is needed. The IRS doesn't get, or need, a narrative when you file a return. I doubt that Bernie's financial situation is so complex that it needs an additional explanation.

method for a particular property you have and why. There are some things you must clarify for the IRS and they specifically state that too.

There are detailed depreciation schedules where you can do exactly that. I'm just saying that tax returns should include whatever you submitted to the IRS when you filed.

That's all that is requested. If someone wants to write an explanation, that's fine, but it's not required.

Just hand over what you sent the IRS.

the convection. He lied

Knowing that people who vote have been asking for them for years, I wouldn't hold my breath.

If he can't be honest about this, what else will he hide.

Unless her computer had a massive failure, corrupting her files, they should be easy enough to access.

But even so, they would have been accessible from the IRS:

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/how-to-get-tax-transcripts-and-copies-of-tax-returns-from-the-irs

why the delay and stalling for 3 years?

For politicians, embarrassment is earthshaking enough.

Yet he attacked her for her paid speeches, then let the clock run out and never turned his in, except for one summary only. He acts like it’s too much for him to do...maybe it is.

The socialist label is bad enough ... it must be something far far worse.

Perhaps a 1%er socialist?

If it was that, he would have been able to release them in the last primary.

I’m beginning to think he is about to release eight years. If he does that and includes 2018, it would knock out every year Jane was at Burlington. He has been stalling.

Last week

When asked why he didn't the last time he said

"I didn't end up doing it because I didn't win the nomination, if we had won the nomination we would have".

win and won are the keywords.

Why else wouldn't he release? He has had YEARS to get this together.

Note to anyone reading: I supported Bernie in the last primary. Go ahead and check my posts.

Hillary Clinton released her tax returns (and she files jointly with her husband, also once a candidate, and there was a lot of information, not all of it flattering). Her two main opponents didn't.

So there she is, standing up for truth and transparency, and making herself the target of the two guys who are happy to trash her for what is in the tax returns, when they're both hiding their own finances.

I'm not really sure what could possibly be in Sanders's tax returns that would be bad enough he'd want to be associated this closely with Trump, but... there must be something.

It's just not fair. I know, childish. But Clinton deserved far better from the media and the voters-- and from her party too.

It frustrates me to no end.

Like it or not, campaigning has changed. It is not just "going negative", it is blatant trolling and playing games. I could imagine Bernie's team discussing when to release the tax returns, and Bernie saying with a wry smile, "hmm, I think I'll just my critics stew a little more," knowing that when he does release his returns, it will be a big nothing.

Or he has something HUGE to hide.

Note sure which.

I've had enough of a) presidents that troll people or b) presidents that presumably have things in their taxes that they want to keep hidden.

Either option is a negative to me.

and doesn't give a damn about transparency and informing the American people.

Bernie is all for transparency when it comes to his opponents but not when it comes to him or Jane.

Very Trump like behavior.

If what you say is true, the man doesn't deserve any respect or consideration.

1. Maybe the tax returns were filed late, or contain incorrect information. It's possible that Jane and Bernie didn't bother to file correct, timely returns.

2. Foreign income or gifts.

Maybe he owns stock in gas and oil companies or tobacco companies, or he has other investments that, while perfectly legal, might be inconvenient or embarrassing for someone so politically pure. (If he has any mutual funds, IRAs, etc., he almost certainly has investments in evil, politically inconvenient corporations.)

at some point Bernie will open the box as I believe or he won't as others believe, in the meantime, I'm focusing on the issues.

Thanks for the thread DemocratSinceBirth.

ARE an issue.

All of Bernie's other issues are now pedestrian because other candidates are championing them with better policy and nuance instead of just slogans and platitudes.

the fact that Bernie hasn't released them yet is an issue, there is a major difference.

Furthermore it's only an issue insofar as the Democratic Primaries are concerned, not the G.E. we haven't even had the first debate yet.

When Bernie releases his tax returns and he will, then his tax returns will either be an issue or it won't.

Do you realize that you managed to contradict yourself from the subject line in your post and the final sentence of your post?

Subject line:
No Bernie's tax returns are not an issue,

Final sentence:
When Bernie releases his tax returns and he will, then his tax returns will either be an issue or it won't.

while in the final sentence you declared that the release of his tax returns might be an issue. It went from 100% certainty that it won't be an issue to something less than 100% certainty.

may or may not prove to be a major issue and the actual release of them which is all anybody knows about today.

Today's issue is not the content in Bernie's tax returns, nobody know what's in them until they are released.

Yes, Bernie's tax returns are an issue...BEFORE the primaries. He doesn't get to win the primaries and then decide. For the voters, that is too damn late.

he won't release his taxes and win or lose the primaries.

Those are the choices.

I'm convinced that Bernie will release his tax returns and then the tax returns themselves will either be a major issue or it won't.

The voters will ultimately make the decision.

do it now.

Wagon..

Link to tweet

esp with such lame excuses and evasions, the more suspicious I become.

the less credible whatever he releases becomes.

Is he doctoring the returns to hide stuff or altering numbers? Inquiring minds want to know.

If he doesn't release the taxes, he has no chance to be the nominee. If he does release them and there's something scandal-worthy, he likewise has no chance to be the nominee. If he releases them and there's absolutely nothing, the same group of concern-trolls screaming "But his taxes" will just change tack, complain about the time it took to release them and claim he was hiding something. It's a no-win situation for him.

Being frank, tax releases or not, I don't see him becoming the nominee even though he's my preference. Too many forces acting against him ATM.

Everything they put our about Bernie has been negative, oligarchs and their monopolies will not go down easy.

He got a bit of a soft hand on his last run as I don't think anyone expected him to put up a serious contention in the primary. Now that he's shown he's at least a viable (albeit unlikely) threat, it's my opinion that he's going to get absolutely hammered this season for faults both real and imaginary. You can already see it here on DU, and I think we can damn sure expect it to continue as the primary continues to roll forward. The fact that he's polling as high as he currently is will only amplify said hammering.

I think he can take it, but truth told, that's a fight that we can't really afford to take with the current stakes on the line. There is wisdom in discretion, and as much as I love Sanders vision and policy proposals, I don't know if his run is currently viable.

screams for the most powerful opposing force, an anti-oligarch.

If not checked Trump will only be the first of his ilk with an ever increasing brand of authoritarianism and it won't just be contained to the U.S. it has gone global.

I wasn't saying that I didn't think Bernie was the wrong choice, I think he's the perfect choice. But he's also going against Republicans and a fair share of Democrats, and I'm not sure if getting into a running battle with both the media and Democrats, and then going up against Trump with that same battle raging, is the wisest of decisions or a winning strategy.

Either way, time will tell. Depending on how Biden supporters swing (if he doesn't run) or stick to him (if he does), it may be a moot point entirely, as he's polling significantly ahead of anyone else.

engage the Washington Post in serious criticism or a (running battle) because if we don't it will most certainly be a one-sided fight.

Bezos hates Bernie and there is no way, he will allow his editorial board to remain unbiased, they know it as well.

Bezos and his Post will do their best to insure a corporate-personhood believer attains the White House so that the "status quo" will continue but it won't.

If Bezos is successful matters will only get worse and one day in the next 10-25 years someone will look back and say, Trump wasn't so bad compared to the current President, just like they do now about Nixon and Bush the Least compared to the orange skid-mark.

personal feelings and interests into account?

All Bezos need do if he wanted, is make a phone call or text a key word and strings would start getting pulled in regards to any member of the editorial board that he deemed was too favorable to Bernie or not harsh enough.

One way or another they would be corrected or shown the door.

Billionaires don't buy major media outlets for the fun of it, it's their own P.R. machine or anti-P.R. machine against their opponents.

All one needs to do is look at the total swamp of negative opinions against Bernie just this year from Bezos' paper with no sense of balance whatsoever.

Bezos hates Bernie because he knows a Sanders Presidency more than any other would not be kowtowing to oligarchs and monopolies interests over those of the people.

Which part of that post was difficult to understand?

Trump also attacks WaPo using the very same line of attack. It is amusing when some people find commonality with Trump.

You don't have direct to control in order to have major influence, WAPO's Editorial Board knows who ultimately cuts their paychecks.

Keep watch and see how many editorials from them condemn Amazon's monopoly, I suspect all you will ever hear from them is crickets.

who has no control over the content.

If a Chinese person owned a French restaurant with French chefs, would you say the food is not really French because of Chinese influence?

about him and about Amazon.

purchase WAPO, he still owns them and he still owns Amazon and the Bezos' paper know it.

Your article is from October of 2017, not during an election year when political opponents of Bezos are running for office and notice the qualifier from your own article?

We haven't even had the first debate yet.

I believe Bernie will release his taxes.

I believe every candidate for President should release their taxes but I also believe much of this is just white noise propaganda generated in large part by Bezos' paper because he doesn't want an administration in power that will challenge oligarch and monopoly domination over American economic and political institutions.

Washington Post 2/26/2019 and 4/3/2019

Newsweek 4/5/2019

New Haven Register 4/5/2019

Politifact UPDATE: As he had promised, Sanders released his full 2014 tax return on April 15, 2016.

NJ.com I don't see any reference to Bernie's taxes in that article?

The New York Times I don't see any reference to Bernie's taxes in that article?

GQ I don't see any reference to Bernie's taxes in that article?

You were deflecting from the issue of Bernie's taxes by slagging Bezos for the WaPo's critical op-eds. The fact many other publications besides the WaPo have criticized Bernie for various reasons tends to suggest that Bezos isn't controlling the WaPo's opinions or those of its contributors, all of which has fuck-all to do with the fact that he hasn't released his taxes.

for objective or evenhanded criticism of Bernie but in WAPOs case criticism at least since January that's all it has been.

He's sitting on a golden Eames chair in his darkened lair, contemplating his next move to destroy Bernie. He dials Jennifer Rubin's cell phone.

Bezos: Hello, Jennifer, you know who this is.
Rubin: Yes, Your Excellency. What can I do for you today?
Bezos: I want you to write an op-ed slagging Bernie Sanders for tomorrow's paper.
Rubin: Well, I'd planned on writing something about how Trump is an existential threat to our democracy, but...
Bezos: You know the rules, Jennifer. Those are a couple of nice sons you have; I'm sure you'd miss them if something happened to them...
Rubin: Yes, Your Excellency. I'm right on it.
Bezos: Sanders wants to destroy the oligarchy. That's me. I can't have that.
Rubin: Of course, Your Excellency.
Bezos: I'm counting on you, Jennifer.
(hangs up phone)
Bezos: BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

they weren't all critical of Bernie.

Most if not all of them have some balance criticism and credit or praise.

I was speaking of taxes.

WaPo publishes a damaging story and the faithful turn on Bezos who has nothing to do with the content !!

The fact that some WaPo op-ed writers have been critical of Bernie doesn't have anything to do with the other fact that he hasn't released his tax returns.

And one hiding them. Maybe it's nothing... maybe he's embarrassed by something minor. But all the other candidates, including the one in 2016 (you remember her), will take the risk of exposing themselves.

That he won't gives him an unfair advantage, and this is the second time he's decided to do that.

He's following Trump's example, and maybe he'll get away with it like Trump has. But I'll support whoever wins the nomination, I hope it's not the one who thinks Trump is a good example if only in this one aspect.

Most people would prefer not to reveal their financial situation to the whole world. Maybe they don't want the world to know how rich they are, or how poor they are, or what they invest in, which is one reason why the IRS' privacy rules are so strict. But if you run for president you voluntarily give up your privacy. If you don't want a financial colonoscopy don't run for president.

that is worse than the bad look of not reporting. Given how bad it looks, the issue in the returns must be serious.

I can't come up with another explanation.

I guess we will see.

It’s no surprise we’d be expecting them before now.

Put up or F off.

slightly upper middleclass as he paid off one home?, probably has decent retirement accounts, and his wife has a good career, works for a NON-profit & usually does the family taxes.

very much doubt their tax returns will provide any "ammunition" for the enemy

It doesn't make logical sense.

As Judge Judy says, "If it doesn't make sense, it is not true."

He doesn't have to release his taxes. Besides he's a sitting Senator- you can read his yearly financial disclosure on the government website.

No one is demanding his 2018 returns yet.

The financial disclosure forms only have ranges and no specifics.

There is at least 700% more info in the tax returns than the FDs

Please a link to current disclosure because you've read it , I'd like to see it.

Trump tried the very same argument and Forbes shot it down.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/chasewithorn/2018/05/16/heres-what-trumps-financial-disclosure-doesnt-tell-you/#7fc719f81c63

Most people in Bernie's position have accountants do their taxes; they don't stay up late on the night of April 14 frantically rummaging through a shoe box full of receipts and 1099s. One phone call to his accountant would do the trick.

Could it be that there is information indicating Bernie isn't as politically pure as he holds himself out to be? Maybe he has investments in the very corporations he rails against and he doesn't want his politically pure supporters to know he's just another capitalist.

"How many Americans own stocks?"

Stock ownership before 2008 was 62 percent, Gallup found. Even after recent inflows, only 54 percent of Americans are invested now. More adults in the United States own homes than stocks. "There's been an enormous push to have people own their own homes"

"How many Americans OWN their own home?"

In 2018, homeownership dropped to a lower rate than it was in 1994, with a rate of 64.2%. Since 1960, the homeownership rate in the United States has remained relatively stable having decreased 1.0% since 1960 when 65.2% of American households owned their own home


Doubt Bernies IRS report is much changed over the past 20 years except a bit more in retirement accounts and he owns his home now.

He owns his house. Great. Where are the tax returns?

Senators make financial disclosures every year that are public information. What have you seen in his financial disclosure for 2019 that upsets you?

The other D contenders- how did their 2018 Tax files look to you?

Warren released hers months ago. Inslee, Gillibrand and Klobuchar have released theirs even though they declared only recently. Bernie has had three years. Where are his? Senate financial disclosures are summaries and do not reveal the entire picture. Every presidential candidate since Nixon, but not including Trump, have done this. What's Bernie's problem?

to lower medicine prices and 'pushes for Medicare for all'.

After all medical care & ridiculous prices for medicine is Americans number one concern.

he needs to release them like everybody else. Maybe he should have had an accountant do them. I filed for extensions for something like four years in a row, for various reasons, and it's no big deal. It would explain why 2018 isn't ready, but it wouldn't explain the other years. The extension only gives you until October of the same year. No excuse.

Within a year probably, maybe sooner, maybe never. He's not a wealthy man and isn't required.

Maybe they'll make your day & trump him with 1924 law, to get a peek at tax form. (like just happened to idiot in chief)


I need to work on my 2018 taxes, maybe tomorrow

A millionaire with three houses is not a wealthy man?

It’s not about his wealth it’s about transparency and ethics. Something he rants about. He also said Trump should show ten years. Hypocrisy much?

sure 3 houses in a state he's lived all his life, family home, first home and finally in their late 60s/mid 70s...their dream home.

That's about 20k a year JUST in property taxes not to even mention upkeep like a $20,000 new roof or 1k EACH big tree for a professional tree trimming.


He's an honest ethical man and a Senator on Ds side, we need to support our people.

instead of saying "Soon" for years.

Last edited Sun Apr 7, 2019, 03:45 PM - Edit history (1)

..including them on state ballots but i know how i feel when ppl start harping about bidens issues so im not gonna dwell on sander's woes.

I just love Joe Biden and frankly I like ALL the D contenders. I'll defend ALL of them, they all have qualities I admire.

Bernie gets good advice.

He’s going to release them WHEN IT WILL GET PUBLICITY- on Tax Day, April 15.

The damn news won’t give him any print now- they have to give him some if he does it on tax day.

they're pretty waffly. If he does, great; we can move on. If he doesn't, he has a problem. If he's waiting for the 15th just to get publicity, I'm not impressed with that strategy.

I’ve already seen some clown on the internet claim his 2014 return is fraudulent because his W2 wages box doesn’t match the published Senator salary (hint: w2 wages include the employer retirement contribution amounts deducted).

The same clown insisted the return was fraudulent because he didn’t show ant mandatory retirement withdrawals based on his age (hint: the federal program has a “still working” exemption that allows for no mandatory withdrawals).

Still, he really should just cough them up and move on.

For some reason this embarrasses him. He could have released taxes and just said “look at the ridiculous bubble ... I could never afford a single house if I had not been a senator all these years.”

Speaking fees maybe?

I don’t know what else

I'm a home owner as well. So what if he makes speaking fees money( I don't think the Senator does any paid speeches anyway), maybe he should write a book, but I don't think a busy! sitting Senator has time.


A book is how President Obama made his first million (after he was in office for a year) President Obama just paid off his student loans his last year in office.

You know, the one he wrote for a couple months instead of "vigorously campaigning" for the Democratic nominee? That scored him some $795,000 in advance income, not to mention any royalties since.

them ever. He hopes he can get away with iut, just as trump did.

What a pad precedent to set