Jack Ciattarelli Releases 13 Years of Tax Returns Ahead of Gubernatorial Debate

Strategic Insights -

Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli released 13 years of his federal tax returns, showing almost $14.9 million in income and almost $4 million in federal, state, and local taxes since 2012. The move comes ahead of the first gubernatorial debate, where Ciattarelli will face off against Democratic opponent Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who has been calling on Ciattarelli to release his tax returns. The disclosures show that Ciattarelli paid an average effective tax rate of 28% per year while working full-time, with a high of 38% in 2016.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ciattarelli released 13 years of his federal tax returns, showing almost $14.9 million in income and almost $4 million in federal, state, and local taxes since 2012.
  • Ciattarelli's most profitable year came in 2017, when he retired and sold his second medical publishing business, reporting almost $7.1 million in total income.
  • The returns show that Ciattarelli's total reported annual income fluctuated between $600,946 (in 2014) and more than $1.3 million (in 2016) before he retired, and $168,433 (in 2022) and $854,966 (in 2018) after he retired.
  • Ciattarelli paid an average effective tax rate of 28% per year while working full-time, with a high of 38% in 2016.
  • The returns were joint returns, filed with his ex-wife Melinda, who reported little income most years, with $22,138 of total income reported in 2024.
  • Ciattarelli did not release his returns when he ran for governor in 2021, but he did disclose them when he ran in 2017 for the Republican primary.
  • Mikie Sherrill and her husband reported roughly $3.2 million in income for 2024, and were billed $1.08 million in federal income tax; $279,010 in New York state income tax; and $29,002 in New Jersey state income tax in 2024.

Statistics:

  • $14,900,000: total income reported by Ciattarelli since 2012
  • $4,000,000: total federal, state, and local taxes paid by Ciattarelli since 2012
  • 28%: average effective tax rate paid by Ciattarelli while working full-time
  • 38%: high tax rate paid by Ciattarelli in 2016
  • $7,100,000: total income reported by Ciattarelli in 2017
  • $3,200,000: total income reported by Sherrill and her husband in 2024
  • $1,080,000: federal income tax billed to Sherrill and her husband in 2024
  • $279,010: New York state income tax billed to Sherrill and her husband in 2024
  • $29,002: New Jersey state income tax billed to Sherrill and her husband in 2024

Sources:

  • Ciattarelli's tax returns, exact format not specified
  • Mikie Sherrill's tax returns, exact format not specified
  • "Ciattarelli Concedes N.J. Governor's Race But Plans to Run Again in 4 Years," New Jersey Monitor, Nov 12, 2021
  • "As Primary for Governor's Race Nears, Candidates Share Details of Their Finances," New Jersey Monitor, May 8, 2025
  • "Mikie Calls on Jack to Release His Tax Returns," Mikie Sherrill's website, exact date not specified