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Cindy McCain releases 2007 tax info

October 18, 2008

Our presidential candidate tax return voyeurism has now been satisfied.

Cindy McCain, who previously released some of her 2006 filing data, last night made public a couple of pages of her 2007 return.

Mrs. McCain, heir to beer distributorship, paid almost $1.14 million in taxes during 2007 on income of more than $4 million.

She and husband, Republican presidential candidate John McCain, regularly file separate returns. The McCain campaign issued a statement noting that the missus, like many of us, received an extension to file until Oct. 15. 

According to the return, around $2.9 million of Mrs. McCain's income came from "rental real estate, royalties, partnerships, S corporations, trusts, etc."

She also reported $746,000 in capital gains and a $297,000 salary.

Election year return roundup: With the release of Mrs. McCain's 2007 tax documents, political presidential personal tax transparency for this election year is complete.

Below is a quick look at all the candidates' and spouses' returns.

2007 Individual Tax Returns
Candidates and Spouses
Taxpayer
AGI
Tax owed
% of AGI
Cindy McCain
$4.2 million
$1.14 million
27%
Barack & Michelle Obama
$4.1 million
$1.39 million
34%
John McCain
$386,527
$118,660
31%
Joe & Jill Biden
$319,853
$66,273
21%
Sarah & Todd Palin
$156,080
$24,738
16%

You can read more in my previous posts here for Barack and Michelle Obama and John McCain filings; here for Sarah and Todd Palin returns; and here for Joe and Jill Biden filings.

And if you want to sort through the actual IRS paperwork for the
candidates' most recent returns as well as, in several cases, filings
going back many years, check out the Tax Analysts Tax History Project
page on presidential returns.

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TO WRAP UP 2026

It’s over! With October’s extended filing deadline behind us, it is now time to focus on year-end moves to reduce your 2026 tax bill. 

You’ll find ways to do just that on the Tax Tips page (see the More Tax Posts drop-down menu at the top of the blog), as well as the separate tax tip pages for each month, notably October through December. If you’re on the Tax Tips page, you’ll find a monthly list at the end of this column. If you’re on another blog page, you can head straight to the October tips; at the bottom of that tips page you’ll find links to all the other 11 months’ collections of tax advice.

Not to spoil what you’ll find in that tax advice, but it does cover such things as tax deductions for charitable donations, investment moves that could reduce tax due, and ways to max out your tax-favored retirement savings. 

Finally, as the year winds down, things get hectic. There are lots of other things to occupy our time, like the much more fun upcoming holidays. But don’t lose sight of taxes, since timing is key. To be of use, most tax moves must be made by the end of the tax year. That’s Thursday, Dec. 31, which also is the last business day of the year. 

So that you don’t miss that final tax year deadline, also keep an eye on the countdown clock below. It will keep you on top of just how much time is left to make important, tax-saving moves. (Note: I’m in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.)

Comments
  • overtaxed

    But what does she actually DO for a living?

  • Ok. So what you just told me is that the McCains pay less in taxes than the Obamas and their tax proposals will likely benefit them and the Obamas. But the Obamas are willing to tax themselves to make the rest of us little people better off?
    I don’t care what John McCain’s past sacrifices were in in POW camp. What’s the sacrifice he’s going to make now? What’s he going to do now for all those vets coming back from Iraq with PTSD and all my peers who are afraid of the near future for their parents’ healthcare and retirement?
    Thanks for the other balanced posts about the tax policy of both candidates. I appreciate them a lot. Every candidate twists their spin, but straight talk on taxes can always be found here. Keep up the great work!!

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