Trump Seeks $10B From IRS in Tax Leak Lawsuit

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

Apr. 18, 2026 at 1:46am

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A quiet, cinematic painting of an empty government office space with a single desk and chair in the center, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually illustrating the tensions between the Trump family and the federal government over tax privacy.The legal battle over the disclosure of former President Trump's tax information casts a long shadow over the relationship between the executive branch and the IRS.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. Attorneys for the Trumps say they are now in discussions with the Department of Justice to potentially resolve the matter and avoid protracted litigation.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump family and the federal government, as well as the high-stakes battle over privacy and transparency when it comes to the tax returns of public figures. The lawsuit also raises concerns about the ethics of a president suing his own government for billions.

The details

In their lawsuit, the Trumps argued that the IRS and Treasury Department failed to have proper security measures in place to prevent the theft of Trump's tax information by a government contractor, who later leaked it to media outlets. The Trumps are seeking $10 billion in damages, claiming the leaks caused them 'reputational and financial harm, public embarrassment, [and] unfairly tarnished their business reputations'.

  • In January 2026, the Trumps filed the $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and Treasury Department.
  • In 2023, a government contractor with the IRS pleaded guilty to stealing the tax information of Donald Trump and other wealthy Americans and leaking it to media outlets in 2019 and 2020.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States and the lead plaintiff in the $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and Treasury Department.

Eric Trump

One of Donald Trump's sons and a plaintiff in the lawsuit.

Donald Trump Jr.

One of Donald Trump's sons and a plaintiff in the lawsuit.

Trump Organization

The Trump family's business entity and a plaintiff in the lawsuit.

Department of Justice

The government agency that is in discussions with the Trumps' lawyers to potentially resolve the 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' lawyers have agreed to a 90-day extension to allow them to engage in discussions designed to resolve the matter and avoid protracted litigation.

The takeaway

This high-profile lawsuit highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump family and the federal government, as well as the complex issues surrounding privacy, transparency, and the tax returns of public figures. The potential for a resolution could have significant implications for the Trumps, the IRS, and the integrity of the justice system.