Trump says he's 'always' under audit and 'not inclined' to release tax returns


President Trump reacted on Wednesday evening to the House Ways and Means Committee formally requesting six years of his tax returns from the IRS, saying, "Usually it's 10, so I guess they're giving up."
He did not say anything about the IRS releasing his tax returns, instead declaring that he's "under audit, despite what people say. We're working that out. I'm always under audit, it seems." He surmises he's been "under audit for many years because the numbers are big and I guess when you have a name, you're audited." Trump added that until he's no longer under audit, he "would not be inclined" to released his tax returns.
Previous presidents and presidential candidates voluntarily released their tax returns, but Trump has not followed in this tradition, repeating since his campaign days that because he is under audit, he can't make them public. White House counselor Kellyanne Conway has argued that "people don't care" about his tax returns, and Trump has also said that because they are "extremely complex," the public "wouldn't understand them."
Subscribe to 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.
During his congressional testimony in February, Trump's former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, said he didn't know if Trump was under audit during the 2016 campaign. Cohen said Trump made statements suggesting he didn't want tax experts to start "ripping" his returns to pieces, resulting in an audit and "taxable consequences, penalties, and so on."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Is Trump's tariffs plan working?
Today's Big Question Trump has touted 'victories', but inflation is the 'elephant in the room'
-
What are VPNs and how do they work?
The Explainer UK sees surge in use of virtual private networks after age verification comes into effect for online adult content
-
Why is it so hard to find an 'eligible' man?
In the Spotlight The lack of college-educated suitors is forcing women to 'marry down'
-
Harris rules out run for California governor
Speed Read The 2024 Democratic presidential nominee ended months of speculation about her plans for the contest
-
Trump sets new tariff rates as deadline nears
Speed Read New tariff rates for South Korea, Brazil and India announced
-
Ghislaine Maxwell: angling for a Trump pardon
Talking Point Convicted sex trafficker's testimony could shed new light on president's links to Jeffrey Epstein
-
Senate confirms Trump loyalist Bove to top court
Speed Read The president's former criminal defense lawyer was narrowly approved to earn a lifetime seat
-
Ghislaine Maxwell offers testimony for immunity
Speed Read The convicted sex trafficker offered to testify to Congress about her relationship with late boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein
-
Judge halts GOP defunding of Planned Parenthood
Speed Read The Trump administration can't withhold Medicaid funds from Planned Parenthood, said the ruling
-
Trump contradicts Israel, says 'starvation' in Gaza
Speed Read The president suggests Israel could be doing more to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians
-
The Pentagon's missing missiles
Feature The U.S. military is low on weapons. Can it restock before a major conflict breaks out?