American Republican expectant candidate Mitt Romney 'gives 13.9% tax

American Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney has said he thinks to give about $6.2m (£4m) in taxes on income of $42.5m in the last two years.

That crafts for a tax rate of 13.9% in 2010 and an expected rate of 15.4% in 2011, his campaign said.

His earning puts him amongst the top earners in the US and his taxes have become a campaign issue.

Mr. Romney was an initial preferred in state primaries but lost the newest, in South Carolina, to rival Newt Gingrich.

Mr. Gingrich made publicize his tax amounts on Saturday, stating that he paid about $1m last year, a rate of about 31%.

Mr. Romney has been targeted by his opponents as a prosperous entrepreneur who cut jobs. He is a multi-millionaire with three homes and lives mostly on income from his investments, for which only 15% tax is payable.

On Monday, before he released his income and tax statements, he protected his record.

"I pay all the taxes that are officially necessitated and not a dollar more. I don't think you want somebody as the contestant for president who pays more taxes than he owes.''