The long-awaited release of California Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom’s tax returns has been heavily criticized after it was revealed that he and his wife made $1.7 million to $2 million annually from 2022 through 2024 and paid half a million a year in federal and state taxes, according to the tax returns released by his office.
The criticism surrounding the release of Newsom’s (D-Calif.) tax returns stems primarily from the tightly controlled manner in which the documents were disclosed, the lack of itemized details regarding his business holdings, specific deductions, and the omission of his most recent tax filing.
Together, these factors have led political opponents, media commentators and other transparency advocates to argue that the release fell short of genuine public disclosure.
First, the method of release drew immediate pushback from media commentators and political watchdog groups. Rather than publishing the tax documents online for direct public inspection, the governor’s office restricted access to a select group of journalists inside a controlled environment. Reporters were required to review the 700-page filing using only pen and paper, without the ability to take photographs, make digital copies or release the raw files.
Second, the structure of the returns obscured important financial details about Newsom’s business empire. While the filings showed that the bulk of the couple’s multimillion-dollar income flowed from hospitality, restaurant and winery enterprises held in a blind trust, tax returns only report aggregate income.
Third, opponents highlighted major personal deductions revealed in the returns, including tens of thousands of dollars spent on high-end designer apparel and nearly two hundred thousand dollars allocated for his own personal household staff.
Finally, the pages provided to reporters covered only tax years 2021 through 2024, as the governor and his wife filed for an extension on their 2025 returns through October. While requesting an extension is standard tax procedure, political adversaries pointed out that the omission leaves his most recent financial activity unexamined as he lays the groundwork for a prospective 2028 presidential campaign.
Reporters from outlets like The New York Times and Politico were reportedly permitted to view the documents using only pen and paper, agreeing to hold their reports until Friday morning, as Newsom faced increasing pressure to publicize the records.
These disclosures mark Newsom’s first tax release since 2022. While his salary as governor pays around $200,000 per year, the bulk of his income is generated by winery and hospitality businesses he placed into a blind trust upon taking office.
The only exception occurred in 2021, when the family earned about $800,000 by selling a Marin County home for nearly $6 million. Their total earnings reached $4.2 million that year, resulting in over $1 million paid in combined federal and state taxes. In 2022, their income dropped back to approximately $2 million.
Noethelsss, the governor’s office later argued that there was nothing unusual in the filings.
U.S. Representative James Gallagher (R-Calif.) told The Post, “Newsom’s transparency is a lot like his homelessness policy — it leaves a lot to be desired … He talks big about things about never actually delivers. This is another instance of that — only allowing select people and only pen and paper. This isn’t real transparency. There are still a lot of questions where Gavin’s money comes from,” he declared.
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