Romney’s Tax Return Set to Inflame Debate

The release of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s 2010 tax return today may only inflame the controversy over the tax code’s treatment of some of the nation’s richest individuals.

Romney, who made a fortune of as much as $250 million in the private-equity industry, paid an effective tax rate of 13.9 percent on income of $21.6 million in 2010, according to a tax return his campaign showed reporters last night and will release today.

That contrasts with the 35 percent top marginal tax rate.