"After months stonewalling on releasing more tax returns, Mitt Romney invoked a brand-new explanation for demurring in an interview with Parade magazine set to hit newsstands this weekend: Religion. “Our church doesn’t publish how much people have given [to the LDS Church]. This is done entirely privately."
Privacy in tithing is not a bad idea. The LDS standard is 10%, and Mitt and spouse often mention that as their own (generous) charitable contribution in public appearances.
The suggestion that it would be improper to provide their precise tithing figure to the public is a bit questionable. 10%, 9.5%, 12%; do Mormons care that much?
I have a suspicion that what might be embarrassing is that the Romney tithe is based not on his entire "income" but on Federal Adjusted Gross Income, after his myriad deductions. In addition, a close examination of the income RETAINED within his many offshore shell corporations might highlight the fact that Mitt Romney uses the same exotic tax strategies to minimize his tithing to his church. Does God approve these "loopholes"?
I could be wrong of course. Mitt might calculate his tithe based on his full income before deductions, and include income retained by his holding companies. In that case the tithe is honest, but this double standard would be a great embarrassment.