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Trump Sues IRS and treasury Over Alleged Tax Information Leak
Published: 2026/01/30 07:05:09
Former President Donald Trump, along with his sons Eric and Donald Jr., and the Trump Organization, have filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Treasury department. The lawsuit alleges the agencies improperly disclosed his tax information to news outlets between 2018 and 2020, causing meaningful reputational and financial harm.
Background of the Tax Information Leak
The lawsuit centers around the unauthorized release of Trump’s tax returns, a topic of intense public and media scrutiny during his presidency. Trump consistently refused to release his tax returns, breaking with decades of tradition for U.S. presidents. This refusal fueled speculation and legal challenges throughout his first term.
The Role of Charles “Chaz” Littlejohn
In 2024, Charles “Chaz” Edward Littlejohn, a former IRS contractor, was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to leaking Trump’s tax information to The New York Times and ProPublica (U.S. Department of Justice).Prosecutors described the leaks as “unparalleled in the IRS’s history.”
Details of the Leaked Information
Reports based on the leaked tax information revealed that Trump paid only $750 in federal income tax in 2016 and 2017 (The New York Times). Further analysis indicated he paid no federal income tax for ten of the fifteen years prior to 2017 (The New York Times). These disclosures sparked widespread debate about Trump’s financial practices and tax avoidance strategies.
The Lawsuit’s Claims
The lawsuit, filed in Florida, asserts that the IRS and treasury Department had a legal obligation to protect the confidentiality of Trump’s tax returns. It claims the leak violated IRS Code 6103, a federal law that imposes strict penalties for unauthorized disclosure of taxpayer information. The plaintiffs allege the leak caused:
- Reputational damage
- Financial harm
- Public embarrassment
- Damage to their business reputations
- Negative impact on
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