# Prof. Lawrence White on the Obama campaign's claims of tax "tricks" by Romney

1 Faculty News July 17, 2012 ![PolitiFact logo](/sites/default/files/styles/246w/public/assets/images/con_030740.jpg?itok=AksI8GU5)>

Excerpt from [PolitiFact](http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2012/jul/18/barack-obama/barack-obama-says-mitt-romney-received-carried-int/) -- "‘Carried interest is currently a legitimate way of reducing one's tax obligation,’ \[[White](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/faculty/bio/lawrence-white)\] said. ‘It may be unfair and distortionary; but it's not any more a ‘trick’ than taking advantage of the mortgage interest deduction. Congress ought to change the law so that carried interest is taxed at regular income rates. But until then. …’"

[Read more](http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2012/jul/18/barack-obama/barack-obama-says-mitt-romney-received-carried-int/)