Here’s Where You Can Discuss Trump’s Tax Returns, If You Want to Do That

Let’s open the thread.

In case you missed it: this weekend, The New York Times reported the details of Donald Trump’s 1995 tax returns, which they received via anonymous source.

Donald Trump Tax Records Show He Could Have Avoided Taxes for Nearly Two Decades, The Times Found

Donald J. Trump declared a $916 million loss on his 1995 income tax returns, a tax deduction so substantial it could have allowed him to legally avoid paying any federal income taxes for up to 18 years, records obtained by The New York Times show.

If you want an in-depth look at what this means, Helaine Olen has a great analysis:

The Real Scandal of Trump’s Massive Tax Deductions Is They’re Only Available to People Like Him

In the 1990s, real estate “professionals” — defined as people who worked on their real estate business at least 750 hours a year — gained the right to write off their losses against their personal income.

What’s more, though, the federal tax code permits real estate moguls to depreciate their property over a period of years. They can do this even if the property in question is actually worth more than the purchase price. For someone like Trump, this is huge. That “loss” can completely offset other unrelated earnings.

If you’re more interested in the anonymous source aspect, and how the NYT dealt with suddenly finding themselves in possession of what appeared to be a copy of Trump’s tax returns, read this:

The Time I Found Donald Trump’s Tax Records in My Mailbox

We were skeptical as we examined the tax records, though much of the information looked accurate. They were signed by Mr. Trump’s wife at the time, Marla Maples, and by Mr. Trump, whose recognizable handwriting renders his signature in jagged, oversize letters. Other details matched up.

But, of course, we needed a lot more before we could publish an article.

Transparency is important, whether you’re a paper of record or a presidential candidate.

Let’s continue the discussion in the comments.

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