Community Corner

Vincent Sheheen Releases Last Three Years of Tax Returns

Joins other lawmakers in push toward transparency.

Sen. Vincent Sheheen, the likely Democratic nominee for governor, released his personal tax returns for the years 2010-2012 on Tuesday.

The disclosure comes as the push for increased transparency among lawmakers becomes stronger. Last week, Gov. Nikki Haley called for the senate to “finish the job” on ethics reform.

The South Carolina Policy Council (SCPC), a non-profit advocacy group, has been demanding tougher ethics laws for years. The SCPC has also been a persistent critic of House Speaker Bobby Harrell who is being investigated by SLED for potential ethics violations.

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South Carolina is the only state that does not require legislators to indentify sources of incomes.

SCPC’s “Conflict Watch” is viewable here.

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Sheheen’s total income for 2010-2012 was: $185,966, $310,273 and $224,920. The adjusted income for those years was $158,898, $282,258 and $198,218.

Sheheen’s total tax rate (combined federal and state): was 25.7 percent in 2010; 27.72 percent in 2011; and 26.79 percent in 2012.

Sheheen gave 4.97 percent of his income to charity in 2010; 5.03 percent in 2011; 3.72 percent in 2012.

Sheheen’s primary source of income is the law firm where he is a partner, Savage, Royall and Sheheen. He also earned income from rental property and $10,269 for serving in the State Senate.

Sheheen filed a joint return with his wife Amy. They are parents to three school-aged boys.

The only statewide officers to disclose their income so far are Superintendent of Education Mick Zais and State Treasurer Curtis Loftis. Sources with Gov. Haley’s office told Patch she is expected to release her returns next week.

In the State Senate the following lawmakers have disclosed their income: 

  • Lee Bright (R-Spartanburg)
  • Kevin Bryant (R-Anderson)
  • Tom Davis (R-Beaufort)           
  • Larry Martin (R-Pickens)
  • Shane Massey (R-Edgefield)
  • Thomas McElveen (D-Sumter)
  • Katrina Shealy (R-Lexington)
  • Ross Turner (R-Greenville)

McElveen joins Sheheen as the only Democrats to disclose their income. With the exception of Bryant, every Senator that disclosed income is on the Judiciary Committee.

In the State House of Representatives the following lawmakers have disclosed their income:

  • Rita Allison (R-Spartanburg)
  • Todd Atwater (R-Lexington)
  • Nathan Ballentine (R-Richland)
  • Beth Bernstein (D-Richland)
  • Kenny Bingham (R-Lexington)
  • Mike Burns (R-Greenville)
  • Raye Felder (R-York)
  • Phyllis Henderson (R-Greenville)
  • Chip Huggins (R-Lexington)
  • Deborah Long (R-Lancaster)
  • Jay Lucas (R-Darlington)
  • Peter McCoy (R-Charleston)
  • Chris Murphy (R-Dorchester)
  • Tommy Pope (R-York)
  • Gary Simrill (R-York)
  • Garry Smith (R-Greenville)
  • Murrell Smith (R-Sumter)
  • Eddie Tallon (R-Spartanburg)
  • Anne Thayer (R-Anderson)
  • Mac Toole (R-Lexington)
  • Mark Willis (R-Greenville)

Bernstein is the only Democrat in the house to disclose her income.

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