Trump May Release Tax Returns After $10 Billion IRS Settlement Drops Claims

9 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · May 20

Trump said Wednesday he may release his current tax returns after a Justice Department settlement permanently barred the government from pursuing existing tax examinations of him, his sons and the Trump Organization.
The deal resolves Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS over a leak of his tax returns, though the Justice Department said the bar applies only to current audits, not future examinations.
A release would test a pledge Trump has repeatedly made and abandoned for years, often citing ongoing IRS audits as the reason for keeping his returns private.
Returns for 2015-2020 were already made public by congressional Democrats in 2022, revealing how Trump reduced his tax bills and disclosing foreign accounts, charitable giving and business performance details.
The broader settlement also created a $1.776 billion fund for Trump allies who say they were wrongly investigated, drawing accusations from Democrats and watchdogs that the arrangement is corrupt and unconstitutional.

What precedent does a settlement granting broad immunity from federal action set for future administrations?