(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)  


BY VICTORIA CRAIG

 

You’re watching multi-source political video news analysis from Newsy.


It’s a conversation that’s surrounded Mitt Romney. But on Tuesday, after weeks of mounting pressure from critics and fellow Republicans, the GOP presidential hopeful released his most recent tax returns. Bloomberg breaks down the details.

“In 2010, Mitt Romney and his wife Ann earned 21.6 million dollars, putting them firmly in the nation’s one percent of income earners. Romney paid three million dollars in taxes, that’s an effective tax rate of just under 14 percent.”

Part of the debate about Romney’s returns is just how much he pays. Fox Business explains why the candidate pays a lower rate than average Americans.

“That’s because a majority of his income comes from capital gains on investments which are taxed at a lower rate than most wages.”

Further, as CNN Money reports, although Romney’s tax rate sits at just below 14 percent on his capital gains, the amount he pays in overall taxes is much higher.

“Nevertheless, and contrary to popular perception, Romney's effective federal income tax rate is still above that of many Americans -- 80% of whom have an effective rate below 15%. That tax rate is higher when other federal taxes -- such as the payroll tax -- are included.”

Romney’s critics say, because of his tax rate, the Massachusetts governor can’t relate to lower-income citizens. NBC’s chief White House correspondent says the timing might not work well for Romney, with President Obama set to deliver his State of the Union address Tuesday night.

“Now the picture, when the president talks about tax reform and talks about unfairness in the tax code, the most recent thing some viewers will have in their head is, ‘Oh yea, man, Mitt Romney made 40 million dollars campaigning for president.”

The Washington Post says the tax returns don’t show the full picture of Romney’s wealth.

“They don’t show the full extent of his net assets, which are estimated to be worth between $190 million and $250 million. Romney has an individual retirement account worth between $20.7 million and $101.6 million, according to his 2011 financial disclosure. He also has a blind trust for his wife, Ann, containing $10 million.”

But a writer for The Atlantic says while Romney’s income and tax rate are a turnoff for some, the political fallout may not be as severe. Adding, the Romneys have done good things with their wealth.

“Romney donated nearly $3 million to charitable causes in 2010 and more than $4 million in 2011, including at least $4.1 million to the Mormon Church. That's better than some politicians, whose tax forms show they didn't bother to give money to those less fortunate than themselves (Think Vice President Joe Biden, who gave an average of just $369 a year to charity...)”

In Monday night’s Florida GOP debate, Romney stood firmly against his critics saying he pays his fair share.

“I will not apologize for being successful. I did not inherit what my wife and I have. Nor did she. What we have, what I was able to build, I built the old fashioned way: By earning it. By working hard.

Donny Deutsch, former host of CNBC’s “The Big Idea” agrees. He told NBC’s “Today” it doesn’t matter what Romney earned -- or what he paid. The only thing that makes a difference is how he’ll govern the nation.

“Honestly, he’s a successful guy, guess what. He plays within the rules -- that’s the tax rate for a guy at that level. Now, if you don’t like the law, that’s one thing where your politics are. But we gotta stop punishing this guy because he’s successful, politics aside.”

Of the four remaining GOP presidential hopefuls, Romney and Gingrich are the only two to release income information. Rick Santorum says he will follow suit, but Ron Paul says unless pressured, he will not make his tax information public.

Politics News: Romney Releases Tax Returns

Romney Releases Tax Returns

January 24, 2012
(3:24)
After intense pressure from both parties, GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney released his tax returns on Tuesday.
   
TRANSCRIPT

To leave a comment, please log in with Facebook Connect or your Newsy account. Register here to create one.
MOST RECENT|MOST POPULAR|MOST COMMENTED|HIGHEST RATED

Syrian Conflict at Possible 'Turning Point'
U.N. observers verify attacks for first time.
(1:39)
May 27, 2012
Top News Headlines: Afghan Officials: Airstrike Kills Family
More headlines: Four NATO troops killed in roadside bomb attacks; Syrian rebels call for Houla retaliation; rebel groups in Mali join forces.
(1:25)
May 27, 2012
PayPal Extends In-Store Purchasing
PayPal teams up with 15 new retail stores providing users with a new way to shop.
(1:48)
May 27, 2012
Knicks Hire Woodson as Head Coach
The New York Knicks removed the interim tag from now-head coach Mike Woodson. Woodson signed for what is believed to be a three-year deal as coach.
(1:46)
May 27, 2012
Internet Defense League Will Use Cat Signal to Protect Web
The group hopes to build a network that can be summoned to fight internet legislation like SOPA.
(1:48)
May 27, 2012
NASA Warns Lunar Explorers Not to Touch its Stuff
The space agency declared the area around its moon artifacts to be protected zones, asking other explorers to keep away.
(1:49)
May 27, 2012
Controversy Over Erotic Best Seller ‘50 Shades of Grey’
Libraries struggle whether to ban the book, which they say qualifies as erotica but is also one of the most checked-out books.
(2:23)
May 27, 2012
Pope's Butler Arrested Over Leaked Vatican Documents
The Pope's butler is accused of leaking confidential Vatican files to Italian media.
(1:35)
May 26, 2012
Alternate Juror Flirts with John Edwards
A female juror has been outwardly flirting with John Edwards during his trial - and Edwards has actually been responding.
(1:17)
May 26, 2012
Top News Headlines: Obama to Honor Vets on Memorial Day
More headlines: Memorial Day gas prices lower, yet still high; Experts suspicious of Iran's nuke program; Southeast braces for Beryl.
(1:25)
May 26, 2012
49ers' QB Smith Criticized for Cam Newton Comments
Smith downplayed the Panther's QB's accomplishments last year, which wasn't too popular with Newton's teammates.
(2:04)
May 26, 2012
Syrian Crisis Continues with Massacre in Houla
An attack on the Syrian town of Houla killed at least 90 people on Saturday, including around 25 children.
(1:28)
May 26, 2012
New York School Cancels Prom Condom Giveaway
A high school in New York planned to give out 500 condoms at prom to promote safe sex, but the principal changed his mind.
(1:55)
May 26, 2012
10-year-old Regains Hearing with Cochlear Implant
The implant works like a traditional hearing aid, but with higher auditory success.
(1:49)
May 26, 2012

Newsy

www2