The topic of taxes is one that Mitt Romney has been ignoring, hoping that it will go away. But people just aren’t willing to let it slide, so the GOP hopeful attempted to settle the score once and for all by declaring that he has never paid a penny less than exactly 13 percent in taxes.

Though Romney has refused to release any more tax returns beyond what we’ve already seen, he attempted to squash rumors that he paid zero taxes at some point in his career as a businessman.

“Given the challenges that America faces – 23 million people out of work, Iran about to become nuclear, one out of six Americans in poverty, — the fascination with the taxes I paid I find to be very small-minded compared to the broad issues we face,” Romney told reporters at a press conference at the Greer airport in South Carolina, according to NBC News.

“I did go back and look at my taxes, and, over the past 10 years, I never paid less than 13 percent,” he said, later adding: “Every year, I paid at least 13 percent, and if you add in, in addition, the amount that goes to charity, the number gets well above 20 percent.”

The former Bain Capital exec has seen his campaign stalled for weeks over accusations originating from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid that he never paid taxes.

“Harry Reid’s charge is totally false. I’m sure waiting for Harry to put up who it was who told him what he says they told him. I don’t believe him for a minute, by the way,” Romney said of Reid.

Of course, the kids are sticking together, with Reid effectively telling Romney to “prove it” in a statement, and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi saying that she trusts Reid’s sources.

So far, we’ve seen Romney’s 2010 tax returns, and he’s promised us his 2011 return before November. The 2010 return shows he paid roughly 14 percent, corroborating with his story. The reason for the relatively low number is that Romney’s income comes primarily from investments, which is taxed at a lower rate, something Dems are sure to bring up when the tax reform argument pops up.

Do you think that 13 percent is enough? Should Mitt Romney release more of his tax returns?

Mitt Romney Paid 13 Percent Or More In Taxes Over Past Decade is a post from: The Inquisitr