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H.R.1938 / 115th Congress

President-Elect Release of Tax Return Act of 2017

Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 5, 2017

President-Elect Release of Tax Return Act of 2017

This bill requires the President-elect to submit a copy of each federal income tax return filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the four most recent taxable years to the chairs and ranking minority members of: (1) the House Administration Committee, and (2) the Senate Rules Committee. The returns must be submitted no later than the date of the meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives to count the electoral votes for President and Vice President.

The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the IRS to disclose the required tax returns to the chairs and ranking minority members of the two congressional committees if the President-elect does not submit the returns by the deadline.

The President-elect may redact from the returns any: (1) Social Security number, (2) taxpayer identification number, (3) account identification number, and (4) name of any dependent of the taxpayer. The IRS must make the redactions if it discloses the returns.

The chairs and ranking members of the two committees may disclose any information contained in a tax return submitted pursuant to this bill.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Garrett, Thomas A., Jr. [R-VA-5] · R–VA

Committees

  • Oversight and Government Reform Committee
  • Ways and Means Committee
2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  2. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  3. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  4. Introduced in House

  5. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 11, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.1938 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.1938 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.1938 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.1938 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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