CNN Reports on Tax-Writing Lawmakers’ Tax Problems

On the heels of Tax Day tomorrow, CNN investigative correspondent Chris Frates brought this story about House members who have had tax problems of their own to The Lead. According to Frates’ reporting, eight of the 39 members of House Ways and Means, which creates tax legislation, have a history of personal tax issues.

For example, there’s Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY), who has been late paying his property taxes at least 46 times since 2005, racking up more than $6,200 in penalties and interest on more than $100,000 in taxes. And Rep. Jim Renacci (R-OH), who refused to pay nearly $1.4 million in back income taxes, interest and penalties for years before ultimately relenting.

Of the eight committee members, only one is Democrat. But Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) has perhaps the most well-known case. In 2010, Rangel was censured and lost his committee chairmanship partly because of his failure to pay taxes associated with a villa in the Dominican Republic. As Frates points out, he remains on the influential committee to this day.

Frates caught up with some of these congress members on Capitol Hill, asking, “Should you be helping write the tax laws if you’re having trouble following them?”

Watch video below, via CNN:

[photo via screengrab]

— —

>> Follow Matt Wilstein (@TheMattWilstein) on Twitter

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!