Romney Only Had $1,329 in Tax-Exempt Interest in 2011

WASHINGTON — Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney reported $1,329 in tax-exempt interest on his 2011 tax return, his campaign revealed Friday afternoon.

In 2010, the former Massachusetts Governor only had $557 in tax exempt interest, according to his tax return.

Romney paid a total of $1.95 million in taxes on $13.7 million in investment income for 2011. His effective tax rate was 14.1% last year, his campaign said.

Most of Romney’s investments are held in a blind trust. During a 20-year period he paid an effective tax income rate between 13.45% and 13.66%, Bradford Malt, partner at Ropes & Gray, LLP wrote.

For months Romney refused to release his tax returns saying they were not relevant to the campaign.

Vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan had $3,158 in tax-exempt interest in 2011, according to his tax return. He only had $72 in tax-exempt interest for 2010.

President Barack Obama did not have any tax-exempt interest reported on his 2011 tax return.