Mitt Romney Tax Return Shows Over 16% Of Income Given To Charity

Mitt Romney, one of the wealthiest Americans to ever run for President, gave more than $7 million to charity in 2010 and 2011.

He and his wife, Ann, donated about 16.4 percent of their adjusted gross income from 2010 to 2011, according to tax records released Tuesday.

The Romney's cash donations included $1.5 million in 2010 and $2.6 million in 2011 to the Mormon church, according to the tax documents.

The Romneys also donated in stock, contributing more than $2 million in shares from companies including Domino's Pizza and Dunkin' Donuts -- some of which went to their family's organization, the Tyler Foundation.

Russell James, director of a graduate program in charitable financial planning at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, told Bloomberg that the Governor's giving records are “shocking” at first glance.

“But it’s a different story when you compare it to total wealth. It’s not a shocking amount when you have a quarter- billion dollars in wealth.”

Romney's release of his tax records comes after increasing political pressure from former House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich and others to provide details on his deep pockets.

On the campaign trail in South Carolina, Romney recently handed over $50 or $60 to a supporter who was struggling financially, CNN reported.

This hand-out and other similar instances have drawn criticism that Romney is a multimillionaire who's out of touch with the average Joe.

Comments

[Rooster Coburn]

07:45 PM on 09/01/2012

Keep in mind he has been giving long before becoming a public person or a candidate for high office.

[Callie53]

12:54 AM on 07/18/2012

Just because he donates to the church doesn't mean he not shady...

[john haigh]

12:31 AM on 01/29/2012

I'm not a Romney fan but respect him for his donation of 6% of his gross income to non-church charity. His 10% to his church is also a sign of integrity.

Credit where credit's due.

Still wouldn't vote for him though.

[FreedomFreedomFreedom]

04:53 AM on 10/03/2012

The Mormon Church INSISTS that their members tithe 10% of their income. It has nothing to do with integrity. It's one of the reasons why Willard won't release his tax returns. If the Mormons find out that he hasn't been tithing 10% he's in for a world of hurt!

[Audra Norris]

09:00 PM on 01/28/2012

Obama gave only 1%.
A government study showed even though liberal households make 6% more then conservative households, conservs give 40% more to charity(money), and 45% more in physical time and blood donations. So who really isn't doing their "fair share"???

[bgofca]

02:37 AM on 01/28/2012

yeah a big portion to the mormon church and another huge hunk to their group that supports pray away the gay therapy.

[RollingForest]

10:46 PM on 01/26/2012

Giving to the Mormon church is not charity. All Mormons are required by the church to give 10% of their income to the church if they want to stay in good standing. If he had given that money to the poor, I'd be more impressed. This, not so much.

[MisteRational]

07:11 PM on 01/26/2012

Well, I'll give him this. He's no Steve Jobs.

[janicedow1]

03:15 PM on 01/26/2012

Romney is a very devot Morman. He wears garments, and keeps his home stocked with a year's worth of food for the end days. Giving 10% to the the church is an important requirement to show you are a good Morman. I am not surprised he gave that much. It doesn't necessarily mean that he's charitable. It just means he is a devot Morman.

[Huffpo user71]

11:57 PM on 01/25/2012

Why is this news?

[dixie100]

04:55 PM on 01/25/2012

I dont c nothing wrong donating to ur chruch, its getting it back at income tax I have a problem with. To me thats not charity if u get back what u give. Ridiculous!

[Ben-jammin]

12:58 AM on 01/27/2012

You don't get back 100% of what you give. In Romney's case, he only got back 15% (or what his tax rate was)

[Try Thinking]

11:35 AM on 01/25/2012

My, my, my. Donating to one's cult is not a charitable contribution. That is a requirement, much like getting into the ole white boys country club.

[Mkaay]

11:31 PM on 01/28/2012

Mormonism is NOT a cult,move on....

[Try Thinking]

09:55 AM on 02/06/2012

Yes it is. Tootles.

[feralferal]

08:20 PM on 08/02/2012

Every religion begins as a cult and the power center of every religion remains a cult. Sorry - that's reality. Need proof? Romney went to great lengths to not pay taxes to the United States and gave quite freely to the Mormon Church. One can put him in the jail and take everything from him, the other can only say, "You are a bad mormon."

Really think it isn't a cult?

Doesn't anyone else miss the nineties when the most terrifying thing in politics was that both Clinton and Newt Gingrich were sex addicts?

[mdlt]

04:25 AM on 01/25/2012

and how much did he get to write off as "charitable" donations????

[Iva 123]

06:02 PM on 01/24/2012

They say what is convenient for them at the moment.
In regards the tax return: it is like reading Orwell's "Animal Farm", "some pigs are more equal then others".
IRS should audit M. Romney. I do not believe that he spend 20K on household stuffers with 3 houses.

[silkphoenix]

05:23 PM on 01/24/2012

Why does donations to the Mormon church is referred to as a "charity donation"?

[hmacdou]

07:02 PM on 01/24/2012

Any cash or property contribution to any church is considered a charitable donation. Mormons generally tithe 10% of their income, which is considered a charitable donation. In addition to tithing, Mormons can give to the church's general humanitarian fund.

[silkphoenix]

07:07 PM on 01/24/2012

Thank you for the clarification.

[Wendilynn]

07:49 PM on 01/24/2012

any donation to a church is considered a charity donation.

[amwa]

05:21 PM on 01/24/2012

Let's see a few more, he knew he was running for President and would have to show 2010 and 2011. Now let us see a few other years. We know he has to tithe 10% to his Church.