GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump prides himself on speaking his mind. And what he has on his mind is getting rid of Kansas City-based tax preparation company H&R Block.
When asked on “Fox & Friends” about tax policy, Trump offered up a few words, “Put H&R Block out of business.” Trump was referring to efforts to simplify the Tax Code – something that many taxpayers can get behind – calling the current system a “mess” though he had little in the way of specifics beyond his zinger. He suggested that he would like to make it “nice and easy” for taxpayers to understand the tax system.
Later in the day, during a call-in appearance to CNN’s “New Day,” Trump was again pressed on his tax plan. When asked what he thought should be the top tax rate, he refused to name a top tax percentage, saying that he wanted to remain flexible. He suggested that he didn’t need a plan in advance, recalling a number of real estate purchases that he bought because he simply “went in and got it done.”
Trump reiterated that the current system is too complicated and suggested that it could “easily” be simplified. When Chris Cuomo asked how he would simplify the system, he responded, “using intelligence, by having common sense.” He then doubled down on H&R Block, saying:
I want to put H&R Block out of business. I want to put ’em out of business. A person with a simple tax return can’t figure it out. They have go out and pay a lot of money to these companies that go out and do your tax return for you. I want to put H&R Block out of business.
Trump went to say that, “Here’s what you can do: you can have a Fair Tax, you can have a flat tax, or you can leave the system alone, which is probably the simplest at this point. Leave the system alone, and take out deductions, and lower taxes, and do lots of really good things, leaving the system the way it is.” He then added, “And I know exactly what I want to do, I just don’t want to announce it yet.”
Cuomo responded that he didn’t get the response and asked for more details. Trump replied, “I’m just not prepared to tell you right now on your fantastic show that’s getting better ratings all of the time because you have Trump on.” When reminded that this was the first time that Trump had appeared on the program, Trump corrected himself to say, “Trump-related.”
The candidate didn’t say why he targeted H&R Block but it’s likely because the company is the world’s largest tax services provider. According to its website, an H&R Block branded retail office is located within five miles of most Americans.
In response to the comments, Kathy Collins, H&R Block Chief Marketing Officer posted the following on the company’s website:
At H&R Block we support all intelligent efforts to reform the tax code. We have 80,000 tax professionals focused on one thing: getting our clients back every dollar they deserve. We give our clients confidence that someone has their back no matter how simple or complicated their tax return.
