A while back, when I was 28, I found myself in a small claims court battle against the Oregon Department of Revenue. They believed I owed them money for a period when I was actually living and paying taxes in California. I represented myself, armed with my Los Angeles apartment lease and library card as proof of my residency. Eventually, the Department acknowledged my status as a part-year resident and recalculated my taxes, clearing me of a $527 debt—a considerable sum given my earnings at a stationery shop on Melrose Avenue.
In today’s world, many people pay to have their personal litigation history buried by “online reputation management” firms, even if the issues at hand are minor or resolved positively. However, I’ve never attempted to hide my case because, in matters of taxes, I’ve got nothing to conceal.
If only the same could be said for the President of the United States.
On April 15, I’ll be joining the Tax March in my city, part of a nationwide movement of 150 protests urging President Trump to release his tax returns. My participation is driven by both local and national concerns.
President Trump is the first major-party nominee in nearly forty years to withhold his tax returns. Last year, he claimed he couldn’t release them because he was under IRS audit. However, Warren Buffet, the renowned investor, contradicted this notion by releasing his tax returns while under audit, highlighting that Trump’s excuse may be just that—an excuse.
Recently, investigative journalist David Cay Johnston revealed Trump’s 2005 tax return, which showed he had significantly reduced his tax obligations through a $103 million write-off. This raises questions about whether the rest of his tax returns would reveal a consistently low tax rate or perhaps even questionable ties to Russia, which Trump has consistently denied. Until we see his complete tax documents, the American public remains in the dark.
Beyond the national implications, I am also participating in my local Tax March, which builds on the activism sparked by the Women’s March. The three primary organizers in my city—Sophie, James, and Mia—are newcomers to political organization. They’re individuals from various backgrounds who felt compelled to act after the 2016 election. They are volunteering their time alongside fellow marchers from cities large and small across the country, from New York to Covington, Georgia. These aren’t professional protesters; they are our friends, families, and neighbors, dedicating their spare time to advocate for transparency.
The collective demand for the President’s tax returns unites us beyond geography. As a member of the diverse community of Palauan-Americans, I share the sentiment with 84% of people of color who believe he should publicly disclose his tax information. This sentiment extends across party lines, with 94% of Democrats and 36% of Republicans feeling the same way.
If you believe it’s vital for the President to reveal his tax returns, you’re already part of this movement—no exceptions. We will march together on April 15. Join us! To find a local Tax March happening near you, visit www.taxmarch.org.
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In summary, the Tax March on April 15 is not only a call for transparency from the President but also a gathering of community members advocating for accountability and civic engagement.