Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
State Government & Tribal Relations Committee |
HB 1698
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Requiring disclosure of federal income tax returns of presidential candidates prior to appearing in the primary.
Sponsors: Representatives Stanford, Dolan, Thai, Morris, Gregerson, Doglio, Springer, Wylie, Hudgins, Fey, Goodman, Mead, Ortiz-Self, Frame, Callan, Peterson, Shewmake, Appleton, Fitzgibbon, Kirby, Pellicciotti, Bergquist, Cody, Ramos, Macri, Ormsby, Valdez and Santos.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/15/19
Staff: Jason Zolle (786-7124).
Background:
Federal law requires most people to remit a portion of their income to the federal government through an income tax. People report their income and calculate their tax liability through forms called tax returns developed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Tax returns must be filed annually. Information in a tax return includes a taxpayer's income (source and amount), deductions, and tax credits. While Washington does not have a state income tax, people and businesses in Washington may be required to file tax returns for business and occupation (B&O) or public utility taxes.
Federal tax returns are generally confidential, subject to a number of exceptions. Some of the people or organizations to whom federal tax returns and associated information may be released in certain circumstances include: federal officers involved in tax administration, criminal investigation, or statistical research; state officers involved in tax administration or auditing; state and local law enforcement agencies; federal agencies that administer or oversee Social Security, federal pensions, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, student loans, and certain food, housing, and health care welfare programs; state and local child support enforcement agencies; persons involved in judicial proceedings; the Comptroller General of the United States, for auditing purposes; qualified tax collection contractors; persons having a material interest (e.g., officers of a corporation or heirs to an estate); committees of Congress; and the President. People that receive taxpayer information as part of their official duties may not disclose that information to others.
The United States Treasury Department (which oversees the IRS) may release tax returns with the consent of the taxpayer.
Taxpayer information is exempt from disclosure under the Public Records Act in Washington state when it would violate the taxpayer's right to privacy or result in unfair competitive disadvantage to the taxpayer. Other provisions of law preclude the release of excise or property tax information, except in certain circumstances similar to the exceptions under federal law.
Every four years, Washington holds a presidential preference primary for voters who subscribe to a major political party to express their preference for the party's presidential candidate in the general election. The Secretary of State (Secretary) selects candidates to appear on the ballot. A candidate must be "generally advocated" or recognized in national news media to be eligible. A party may also petition to have a candidate included on the ballot. The petition must have at least 1,000 signatures of registered voters who affiliate with that party, and it must be filed at least 75 days before the primary. The Secretary must certify the names of all candidates who will appear on the ballot on or before the fourth Tuesday in April (the primary is held the fourth Tuesday in May).
Summary of Bill:
A candidate seeking the presidential nomination in Washington state must publicly release a copy of his or her tax returns, including supporting schedules, attachments, and supplemental lists, for the past five years. Alternatively, the candidate may file the tax returns with the Secretary, who must then consult with the director of the Department of Revenue to make needed redactions and post the tax returns online within seven days of receipt or release.
A candidate that does not comply with this requirement by 63 days before the presidential preference primary may not appear on the primary ballot in Washington.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.