A few years back, when I was 28, I found myself in a small claims court dispute with the Oregon Department of Revenue. They believed I owed them money for a period when I was living and paying taxes in California. Representing myself, I utilized my Los Angeles apartment lease and library card to establish my residency. Eventually, the department acknowledged my status as a part-year resident, recalculating my tax obligation. As a result, I no longer owed Oregon $527, a considerable sum given my earnings at a local stationery store.
In today’s world, many individuals pay substantial amounts to “online reputation management” firms to bury any mention of personal legal issues, even when they are relatively harmless or end on a positive note. However, I’ve chosen not to hide my experience, mainly because I have nothing to conceal regarding my tax situation.
Unfortunately, this does not apply to the president of the United States. On Saturday, April 15, I will be participating in the Tax March in my city, part of a network of 150 protests across the nation demanding that President Trump release his tax returns. My motivations for joining this movement are deeply rooted in both national and local contexts.
Why Transparency Matters
President Trump stands out as the only major-party nominee in nearly 40 years to refuse to publish his tax returns. Last year, during his campaign, he claimed he couldn’t release them since he was under IRS audit. Notably, Warren Buffett, a billionaire investor, publicly shared his tax returns while under audit, highlighting Trump’s excuse as questionable.
Recently, investigative journalist David Cay Johnston obtained Trump’s 2005 tax return and revealed that he had managed to significantly reduce his tax liability by claiming a $103 million write-off. The possibility of Trump’s remaining returns indicating a consistently low tax rate or revealing questionable ties to Russia looms large. Until those returns are made public, we cannot know the full story—and the American public deserves transparency.
Local Grassroots Momentum
Beyond the national implications, my participation in the local Tax March builds upon the grassroots momentum of the Women’s March. The individuals leading this initiative in my Portland community—Sarah, Max, and Lily—are first-time activists who felt compelled to act following Trump’s election. They are joining forces with fellow organizers from cities like New York, Chicago, and even smaller towns, proving that this movement is made up of our friends, family, and neighbors who are dedicating their time to advocate for transparency.
The collective demand for the President’s tax returns connects us beyond geographical boundaries. As a member of the diverse Palauan-American community, I resonate with the 84% of people of color who believe he should disclose his returns. This sentiment cuts across political lines, with 94% of Democrats and 36% of Republicans echoing this call for transparency.
Join the Movement
If you believe it’s essential for the President of the United States to publicly share his tax returns, you are already part of this movement—no exceptions. We will be marching together on April 15, and I encourage you to join us. To find a local Tax March near you, visit www.taxmarch.org. For additional insights into home insemination, check out one of our other blogs at this link. For those looking for information on fertility, this resource provides expert advice. And if you seek further details on intrauterine insemination, this is an excellent resource.
Conclusion
In summary, the Tax March on April 15 is a critical opportunity for citizens to unite in demanding transparency from our leaders, reinforcing the importance of accountability in governance.