A few years back, I found myself embroiled in a small claims case against the Washington State Department of Revenue. At that time, they believed I owed them money for a period when I was living and paying taxes in Arizona. Armed with my apartment lease and a library card from my local branch, I represented myself and successfully proved my residency. The department acknowledged my status as a part-year resident and adjusted my tax liability. As a result, I no longer owed Washington $427, a significant amount considering my earnings from a part-time gig at a local bookstore.
In today’s world, many people invest in “online reputation management” firms to erase any trace of personal legal matters, even when the situations are minor or resolved favorably. However, I’ve never felt the need to hide my experience for one simple reason: I have nothing to conceal regarding my taxes.
If only that sentiment applied to the current president of the United States.
Why I’m Marching
On Saturday, April 15, I’ll be joining the Tax March in my city, among 150 protests nationwide urging President Smith to release his tax returns. My decision to participate is driven by both national and local concerns.
President Smith is the first major-party nominee in nearly four decades to refuse to disclose his tax returns. Last year, while campaigning, he claimed he couldn’t release them because he was under IRS audit. Notably, during his own audit, billionaire investor Charlie Green released his tax returns, emphasizing transparency and dismissing Smith’s claims as an excuse.
Recently, investigative journalist Lisa Reynolds obtained Smith’s 2005 tax return and shared it with her audience, revealing that he utilized a staggering $120 million write-off to significantly lower his tax bill. It’s possible that the remaining returns could unveil a persistently low tax rate or even questionable investment connections to foreign entities — claims he has consistently denied. Until he releases his returns, the truth remains elusive, and the American public deserves access to this information.
Local Activism
Beyond the national implications of this event, I’m participating in my local Tax March because it draws energy from the activism seen in the Women’s March. The three organizers of our Portland march — Maya, Ethan, and Sophia — are all first-time activists who were compelled to take action after the presidential election. They, alongside organizers from cities such as Chicago and Atlanta, are not hired protestors; they are our friends and neighbors utilizing their spare time to advocate for transparency.
The collective desire for the President to release his tax returns unites us across various backgrounds. As a mixed-race American, I share the sentiment of 84% of people of color who believe the president should make his tax information public. This perspective is echoed by 94% of Democrats and even 36% of Republicans.
Join the Movement
If you believe it is crucial for the president to disclose his tax returns, you are already part of this movement, no questions asked. We will march together on April 15. If you’re interested in participating, visit www.taxmarch.org to find a local event.
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In summary, this Tax March on April 15 is an opportunity for citizens to demand transparency from their leaders. By participating, we join a collective voice advocating for accountability and integrity in government.