Harold Ford Has Never Paid New York State Income Taxes

[IndianaGreen]

TPM headline:

Leading By Example

Harold Ford Has Never Paid New York State Income Taxes

In a big world, how can one person make a difference? How can one person, who sees the path to economic salvation in tax cuts for corporations and businessmen, have an effect when he's not in public office? If that person is Harold Ford Jr., he does what he can: Cuts his own taxes.

TPM story:

Harold Ford's Own Personal Tax Cut

Rachel Slajda | February 12, 2010, 2:20PM

In a big world, how can one person make a difference? How can one person, who sees the path to economic salvation in tax cuts for corporations and businessmen, have an effect when he's not in public office?

If that person is Harold Ford Jr., he does what he can: Cuts his own taxes.

Ford, who's considering a primary challenge of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), has never paid New York State income tax, a spokeswoman confirmed to Gawker today.

Ford's residency has been hazy. In interviews, Ford has said he's been commuting between Tennessee and New York since starting at Merrill. He says he's been an official New York resident since last year. But as Gawker points out, New York requires that even non-residents and partial residents pay income taxes. Tennessee, on the other hand, does not tax wages.

The spokeswoman said Ford, a former Congressman from Tennessee who works for Merrill Lynch, has never filed a return here, although he plans to do so this year.

"He pays New York taxes and will file a New York tax return in April for the first time," said the spokeswoman, Tammy Sun. "He will file all necessary personal disclosure and tax forms that candidates are required to file if he chooses to run."

Sun did not specify which "New York taxes" Ford pays.

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/02/harold-fords-own-personal-tax-cut.php?ref=fpb

[Captain Hilts]

1. This 'candidacy' is a farce on every level. nt

[Jennicut]

2. Why anyone would vote for him if he is in the primary is beyond me.

[The Wielding Truth]

3. "official New York resident since last year" You file '09 taxes in April '10.

I don't see a problem there.What am I missing?

[IndianaGreen]

9. Ford claims to have moved to New York three years ago

"Ford claims to have moved to New York three years ago, and says paying 'New York taxes' makes him a New Yorker. But his spokeswoman confirms to Gawker that he's never filed a New York tax return -- meaning that he's never paid New York's income tax, despite keeping an office and a residence in New York City as a vice chairman of Merrill Lynch since 2007."

Read more: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/02/12/ford_still_a_tennessean_when_it_comes_to_taxes.html#ixzz0fXzQgK35

[karynnj]

13. Because he worked out of NYC for several years

New York requires that even non-residents and partial residents pay income taxes. MANY CT and NJ residents, who commute routinely pay NY taxes. Employers withhold for federal, NY and NJ, for NJ residents.

[Turbineguy]

4. I work in New York

and live in Washington State. I pay state income taxes on the earnings in New York. Because I am not a resident, I get a portion refunded. So I pay.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

5. Harold Ford, Jr. is my cousin and he has disgraced the family with his behavior and antics! n/t

[Kingofalldems]

6. It's over Johnny. It's over.

Try again next time Harold.

[Historic NY]

7. no city taxes either....sheesh

[LiberalFighter]

8. Does he have a NY or TN drivers license? Or doesn't he know how to drive?

[johnaries]

10. He also continues to say he was "always" pro-choice. But when

he campaigned down here in TN he campaigned as anti-choice. I remember it well, because it was one of the reasons I supported Kurita over him in the primaries and the main reason I had to hold my nose when I voted for him over Corker.

So, Harold, were you lying then or are you lying now?

[Kyril Enko]

11. No taxes paid? Then he'll fit right back into government!

God Bless America!

[karynnj]

12. As a NJ resident, who long ago commuted and worked a few years in NYC,

I was one of MANY non-NY residents who paid NY taxes. The fact is my company gave me W2s labeled federal, NY, NJ and (my copy). I doubt this could be innocent.