Donald Trump's 12-year audit? It's pretty fishy, a former IRS agent says.


Donald Trump has chronically dragged his feet on disclosing his tax returns, claiming that the process of preparing the returns was time-consuming, and then flipping his story to say he was being audited by the IRS. Despite the fact that being audited in no way prevents someone from releasing returns, there was perhaps a major revelation in Trump's excuse — "For many years, I've been audited every year, 12 years or something like that," Trump said during Thursday night's Republican debate.
Former IRS agent Alan Olsen said to be audited every year for the past 12 years is a "very unusual" level of scrutiny, Bloomberg reports. "He signed his name to a return in which the IRS is finding problems for the past 12 years," Olsen said.
While Mitt Romney has said that Trump's tax returns may hold a "bombshell" revelation, such as Trump not being worth the $10 billion he claims, Olsen said the 12-year audit was news in and of itself. "If the IRS examines your tax returns and finds no issues they will not audit your return again for two years. If returns are properly prepared, the IRS typically goes away," Olsen said.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Trump has countered such statements by saying the IRS is paying particular attention to him because he is a "strong Christian."
Sen. Ted Cruz, Sen. Marco Rubio, Hillary Clinton, and Sen. Bernie Sanders have all released returns, with some of the candidates promising even more information is on the way.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Trump DOJ indicts New York AG Letitia James
Speed Read New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted as Trump’s Justice Department pursues charges against his political opponents
-
Judge blocks Trump’s Guard deployment in Chicago
Speed Read The president is temporarily blocked from federalizing the Illinois National Guard or deploying any Guard units in the state
-
Trump urges jail for Illinois, Chicago leaders
Speed Read The Texas National Guard begin operations in the Chicago area
-
Bondi stonewalls on Epstein, Comey in Senate face-off
Speed Read Attorney General Pam Bondi denied charges of using the Justice Department in service of Trump’s personal vendettas
-
Court allows Trump’s Texas troops to head to Chicago
Speed Read Trump is ‘using our service members as pawns in his illegal effort to militarize our nation’s cities,’ said Gov. J.B. Pritzker
-
Judge bars Trump’s National Guard moves in Oregon
Speed Read In an emergency hearing, a federal judge blocked President Donald Trump from sending National Guard troops into Portland
-
Museum head ousted after Trump sword gift denial
Speed Read Todd Arrington, who led the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, denied the Trump administration a sword from the collection as a gift for King Charles
-
Trump declares ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels
speed read This provides a legal justification for recent lethal military strikes on three alleged drug trafficking boats