WASHINGTON — Republican Donald Trump claimed during Monday’s presidential debate vs. Democrat Hillary Clinton he has been under audit by the IRS for almost 15 years.
Here’s how it stacks up with the facts:
TRUMP: “I’ve been under audit for almost fifteen years.”
THE FACTS: Donald Trump has never provided any evidence to the public that he is actually under audit. A letter released by his tax attorneys never used the word, merely describing his tax returns under continuous review. “Review” is not a formal term for any kind of action by the Internal Revenue Service.
WATCH: Presidential debate: Hillary Clinton implies Donald Trump doesn’t pay income taxes
Trump has declined to provide the IRS’ formal notice of audit to The Associated Press and other news outlets. And former IRS officials have expressed skepticism that anyone would be audited so frequently.
EDITOR’S NOTE — A look at the veracity of claims by political figures