It is possible Trump is being investigated for tax fraud.

[yellowcanine]

This is really not the same thing as an audit. And it makes more sense that his lawyers might advise him not to release his tax returns because then other people who have had business dealings with Trump might recognize that some of his claims are fraudulent and contact the IRS. But if the IRS has to find the fraud on their own, they might miss some things.

[unblock]

1. At this point it would be a scandal if he wasn't investigated for fraud

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. True!

[C_U_L8R]

2. It's anyone's guess but seems more and more likely

Perhaps the only way Trump can
beat the rap, is to become President

[Yonnie3]

4. Do we really know his lawyers advised him not to release?

I only recall t'Rump saying this.

He has much civil litigation going on, law suits by him and against him, that his lawyers might advise him not to put out any information so as not to make it easy for his opponents in these suits.

[yellowcanine]

5. I would guess that any tax lawyer would advise that.

I can't imagine a tax lawyer behaving otherwise.

[unblock]

9. missing the point. every other candidate since nixon decided it was worth it.

and the audit excuse is complete horsehockey.

every other major candidate since nixon decided that, on balance, it was worth whatever personal risks they might face, from future audits, to embarrassment, to accusations of insufficient charity, to accusations of being out-of-touch rich, etc.

they all faced those risks but decided it was worth it for the sake of their campaigns, the transparency, etc. undoubtedly this conclusion was aided by the fact that none of them committed crimes in their tax filings (well, except agnew, though his primary crime was receiving a bribe. he then neglected to report it on his income taxes.)


moreover, the audit excuse doesn't explain why he's not releasing *old* tax returns. the anything in the last 3 years could be audited or currently under audit; but before that, it's only a concern if they're investigating him for tax fraud.

so either he knows he's committing tax fraud, or he's doing it to hide some very embarrassing things.

the $916 million loss, for example.
the zero taxes paid, for example.
lack of giving to charity, for example. (other than his tax-evading foundation that claims to be a charity. oh wait, he doesn't give to that anymore.)

[Yonnie3]

13. Missing the point?

The OP was about the possibly of t'Rump being investigated for tax fraud being likely because his lawyers advised him not to release them. I don't know if that is true because he lies all the time. I don't know for sure that he is even being audited. He did not provide the audit letter when asked.

My point is that t'Rump most likely decided on his own to hide his returns for any and all of what you mention. My opinion is that he didn't because of no charitable donations, much lower income than his boasts, offshore income (Russia?) and no or little tax paid.

I also made the point that they might advise him that for another reason. He is a scumbag who has screwed all sorts of people over for payment through the years. He has also danced on the edge of fraud for quite a while. Trump U. is an example. People who dance on the edge of fraud eventually fall off. I am looking forward to the day he gets five to ten in prison.

[anamandujano]

17. We have been finding out that he's never been on the level about anything.

If he were being investigated already, I don't think he would have run. That way he would not be exposed to the whole world. It would still be a story but not as cataclysmic. I'd guess he's not under investigation.

[Beartracks]

19. "To Whom My Concern..."

I haven't seen this letter yet!

=========================

[mainstreetonce]

6. Interesting

The letter he put out from his lawyers saying his taxes were being reviewed dud not use the word "audit".

http://www.newsweek.com/where-trump-irs-tax-audit-letter-488904

[Bernardo de La Paz]

7. A tax investigation is a more likely source of a leak than a tax audit. . . . nt

[cilla4progress]

8. What must it feel like

To be a complete and utter fraud?

[Yonnie3]

10. Yes, it is possible, but not likely.

Most people who commit tax fraud don't involve lawyers until after they are caught.

[underthematrix]

11. White collar crime doesn't work that way.

I think it's very likely he's under investigation for tax evasion and has been so for a long time. And yes, his tax lawyer until such time as they allege wrongdoing then he would hire a criminal attorney

[Yonnie3]

14. Is tax evasion the same as tax fraud?

I thought evasion was when you didn't report income and fraud was when you produced falsified documents or similar.

[underthematrix]

18. You probably know more about it then I do.

I think there's both tax evasion and tax fraud. my main point is he's being investigated for both.

[Coyotl]

20. Wouldn't tax evasion be a tax fraud?

Check the US Code online for the definitions of crimes.

[napi21]

12. IF he has been audited for the last 8 years, as he claimed, the IRS has already investigated him

for irregularities in hi returns. If your suspicion of fraud comes from him not having to pay taxes fir 18 years, your gripe is with the tax laws and the congresses that created them, not a fraud charge. It's about time people recognized just how slanted our tax laws toward the wealthy. LOTS of wealthy people and Corporations don't pay taxes or pay very little because lobbiests, and contributions have made it perfectly legal to do so.

[truebluegreen]

23. ^^this^^

That's the real scandal....and maybe this story will actually open some eyes.

[kentuck]

15. If not, he should be.

No justice, no peace.

[jberryhill]

16. "Audit" and "investigation for tax fraud" are the same thing.

[Coyotl]

21. ?? A routine audit isn't triggered by a suspicion of a crime. An audit seeks more docs, the books

behind the numbers on a filing, and supportive documentation.

[jberryhill]

22. Yes, and when an irregularity is found...

That's how it turns up.

Ultimately, it doesn't matter. There is no reason why he can't release his taxes. He filed whatever he filed, and it's not as if the IRS doesn't know what he filed.

[Coyotl]

24. Precisely so, he just wants to keep everyone in the dark.