Former TV personality Dr. Mehmet Oz, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, may have “significantly underpaid” his Medicare and Social Security taxes from 2021 to 2023, according to a memo obtained by POLITICO.
The Allegations and Response
The memo created by Democratic staff on the Senate Finance Committee comes as Oz is expected to face the panel on Friday for a confirmation hearing to head the sprawling agency, which is tasked with overseeing coverage of more than 160 million Americans through Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act’s insurance exchanges.
The document details an examination of Oz’s tax returns from 2021, 2022, and 2023, and says the former cardiac surgeon paid a negligible amount in Social Security and/or Medicare taxes in 2022 and paid no Social Security or Medicare taxes in 2023.
The White House did not return a request for comment.
A spokesperson for Oz said the Office of Government Ethics conducted an extensive review of Oz’s finances as part of the vetting process. The office told the Senate that “any potential conflicts have been resolved and he is in compliance with the law,” the spokesperson said.
Financial Holdings and Tax Controversy
The staff memo said from 2021 to 2023 Oz held an interest in Oz Property Holdings LLC, which includes the media production company that ran his successful television show.
Oz believed he was not liable for income or Medicare and Social Security taxes on certain income from that LLC, the memo said, adding that: “He avoided hundreds of thousands of dollars in Social Security and Medicare taxes in the years reviewed.”
Oz’s accountant confirmed to the committee staff that Oz was relying on a limited partner exception exempting him from the taxes, but the Democrats dispute that assessment.
Oz and his advisers said that he would not amend his returns, the memo said.
He has earned plaudits from Republicans and could win Senate confirmation without any Democratic support.
