California Governor Gavin Newsom pledged to release his tax returns annually during his tenure, but despite this being a cornerstone of his transparency promise, he has not disclosed any since March 2022. 

The last returns shared covered 2020, revealing that Newsom and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, earned nearly $1.5 million and paid about $480,000 in taxes. This commitment originated during his 2017 gubernatorial campaign, countering then-President Donald Trump’s refusal to disclose his returns.

Newsom’s financial transparency is under renewed scrutiny following reports that he and his wife purchased a $9 million home in Marin County. 

While Newsom’s gubernatorial salary is $234,101, he has also earned from a wine and entertainment business held in a blind trust since 2019. Earlier disclosures revealed that they rented out a prior Kentfield property for $20,000 monthly.The lapse in transparency contrasts with Newsom’s legislative actions, including signing a law requiring presidential and gubernatorial candidates in California to disclose tax returns.