A House of Representatives committee has the right to see former President Donald Trump’s tax returns, a federal appeals court ruled on Tuesday.
The House Ways and Means Committee sued in 2019 to force disclosure of the tax returns, and the dispute lingered for 19 months after Trump left office.
The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled against the former Republican president, saying the panel’s request was justified as part of its legislative work. It said the request did not violate separation of powers principles and was not unconstitutional.
The House Ways and Means Committee wrote on Twitter: “We expect to receive the requested tax returns and audit files immediately.”
The ruling came after a district judge in December 2021 dismissed a bid by Trump to keep his tax returns from the panel, ruling that Congress’ legislative interest outweighed any deference Trump should receive as a former president.
Trump was the first president in 40 years not to release his tax returns as he aimed to keep secret the details of his wealth and the activities of his family company, the Trump Organisation.