Chicago owes Trump $ 1 million in tax refund, state attorney files legal action



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The Cook County State Attorney seeks to block a million-dollar tax refund that the The Illinois Land Tax Appeal Board ruled that it was owed to the former President TrumpDonald Trump Meghan McCain Democrats ‘Should Give Trump Some Credit’ For COVID-19 Vaccine Trump Testing Tsar Warns Blockages Could Be On The Table If People Don’t Get Vaccinated Overnight Health Care: The Tsar Warns CDC Details Massachusetts Outbreak That Triggered Mask Update | White House says national vaccine mandate “not under review at this time” MORE on the 2011 tax bill for his Chicago skyscraper.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Cook County State Attorney’s Office Kimberly Foxx filed a complaint this month. with the Illinois Court of Appeals against the refund, stating that the former president’s refund would take taxpayer money from Chicago public schools and other agencies to pay it.

Last month, the state’s property tax board voted 5-0 that the value of the Trump International Hotel & Tower had been overstated, leaving Trump eligible for a refund totaling $ 1.03 million.

Tax breaks were requested on behalf of Trump by the law firm Klafter & Burke, formerly managed by the city of Chicago Alderman Edward M. Burke (D).

Burke has since pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial on federal charges he allegedly prevented businesses from obtaining municipal permits until they hire his legal group.

Burke, who ended his professional relationship with Trump in 2018 citing “irreconcilable differences”, has earned Trump more than $ 14 million in tax breaks over a dozen years, according to the Sun-Times.

The tower case focuses on the value of the skyscraper’s hotel rooms and retail space, including vacant storefronts along the Chicago River.

The Sun-Times reported that the state’s tax agency initially rejected Trump’s argument that his vacant storefronts were of no value because they had never been rented by tenants.

A state tax agency hearing officer denied Burke’s attempts to obtain a refund in 2018, arguing in his opinion that the law firm had failed to show that Cook County overvalued the value of the Trump building.

A later report written by another staff member agreed with Burke’s arguments, although the case was delayed until Trump left the Oval Office, according to the Sun-Times.

If a decision of the Illinois Court of Appeals is appealed, it can be taken to the Illinois Supreme Court, led by Burke’s wife, Chief Justice Anne M. Burke.

Contacted by The Hill, the Cook County State Attorney’s Office said it could not comment on the pending litigation.

The Hill has also reached out to the Trump Organization for comment.

In March, CNN reported that the Chicago skyscraper was being examined as part of the Manhattan District Attorney’s investigation into Trump’s finances, in particular a $ 130 million loan from Fortress Investment Management which was used to construct the building.

Fortress reportedly gave up more than $ 100 million of the original loan in 2012, when the loan totaled around $ 150 million.



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