Obama Trade Nominee Fixes Errors In Tax Returns

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner was confirmed by the Senate after paying $34,000 in late self-employment taxes.

President Barack Obama's nominee to be U.S. trade representative, former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, has filed amended tax returns after a review found he failed to pay taxes on $37,750 in speaking fees he donated to his college alma mater, a Senate panel said on Monday.

"Staff estimates the total tax adjustment on Mayor Kirk's amended returns for 2005, 2006 and 2007 will be approximately $9,975," the Senate Finance Committee said.

Kirk also amended his tax returns to reduce the amount of business expense he claimed for Dallas Mavericks basketball tickets in 2005 through 2007, the panel said.

He is the fifth of Obama's nominees to run into trouble over back taxes.

Labor Secretary Hilda Solis faced questions over her husband's unpaid business taxes.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner was confirmed by the Senate after paying $34,000 in late self-employment taxes.

Tom Daschle, Obama's first choice to be health secretary, withdrew from consideration after paying $140,000 in back taxes and penalties, and Nancy Killefer, Obama's choice to oversee budget and spending reform, also withdrew over tax issues.