Ten New Jersey legislators have introduced AB 1230. It says that no presidential candidate’s name shall be printed on the general election ballot unless the candidate has released his or her tax returns, by 50 days before the election. The bill also says no presidential elector may vote for anyone who hasn’t released such tax returns.
A similar bill passed in 2017, but it was vetoed by Governor Chris Christie, a Republican. He is no longer Governor so this bill is fairly likely to be enacted.
Here is a link to the bill on the state’s webpage
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2018/Bills/A1500/1230_I1.PDF
An interesting thought, individuals are not required to file income tax returns under federal law, they are just obligated to pay the tax owed. As such, an individual might circumvent AB 1230 by simply not filing a tax return, however this bill includes language stating that the “five most recent taxable years for which the
26 candidate has filed such a return with the Internal Revenue Service” must be turned over, so if one didn’t file in 2019 and 2018, they would have to disclose their 2017-2012 returns. Interestingly, if one destroys their records of their own income tax returns, it might be impossible for someone to comply with the law, as i doubt the IRS will be willing to fork over the returns to the state for the purpose of public disclosure.
How about the tax returns of ALL party hacks — Fed, State and Local – elected or appointed ???