Trump Seeks $10B from IRS in Lawsuit Over Tax Leak

Lawyers for Trump and his family say they are in discussions to resolve the high-stakes case.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 4:46am

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A quiet, cinematic painting of a solitary government office interior with a desk and chair, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the complex ethical issues surrounding a former president suing his own government.The high-stakes legal battle between a former president and his own government agencies raises concerns about the integrity of the justice system.Washington Today

Former President Donald Trump, his sons Eric and Donald Jr., and the Trump Organization have filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and Treasury Department over the unauthorized disclosure of Trump's tax information in 2019 and 2020. The Trumps claim the government agencies failed to properly secure the data, leading to the leak. Lawyers for both sides are now in discussions to potentially resolve the matter and avoid protracted litigation.

Why it matters

This lawsuit represents an extraordinary case where the president is suing his own government for billions, raising concerns about the integrity of the justice system and the important taxpayer privacy protections at the heart of the case.

The details

In January, the Trumps filed the $10 billion lawsuit after a government contractor with the IRS pleaded guilty to stealing and leaking Trump's tax information to media outlets during his first term as president. The Trumps argue the IRS and Treasury Department should have had better security measures in place to prevent such a breach.

  • In January 2026, the Trumps filed the $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and Treasury Department.
  • In 2023, an IRS contractor pleaded guilty to stealing and leaking Trump's tax information in 2019 and 2020.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who filed the $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and Treasury Department.

Eric Trump

One of Donald Trump's sons who is a plaintiff in the $10 billion lawsuit.

Donald Trump Jr.

One of Donald Trump's sons who is a plaintiff in the $10 billion lawsuit.

Trump Organization

The Trump family's business that is a plaintiff in the $10 billion lawsuit.

Department of Justice

The government agency that is in discussions with the Trumps to potentially resolve the $10 billion lawsuit.

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What they’re saying

“Defendants have caused Plaintiffs reputational and financial harm, public embarrassment, unfairly tarnished their business reputations, portrayed them in a false light, and negatively affected President Trump, and the other Plaintiffs' public standing.”

— The Trumps, Plaintiffs in the lawsuit

“This case is extraordinary because the President controls both sides of the litigation, which raises the prospect of collusive litigation tactics. To treat this case like business as usual would threaten the integrity of the justice system and the important taxpayer and privacy protections at the heart of this case.”

— Former government officials

What’s next

The Department of Justice and the Trumps have agreed to a 90-day extension to allow time for discussions aimed at resolving the lawsuit without protracted litigation.

The takeaway

This high-profile case highlights the complex ethical and legal issues that can arise when a sitting or former president sues their own government, potentially undermining public trust in the justice system and taxpayer privacy protections.