Kamala Harris' tax records reveal 'fairly basic' approach that may have missed savings, advisor says

Vice President Kamala Harris' personal financial records are under fresh scrutiny now that she is running for the highest office in the United States.

Experts say recent tax filings show she and her husband, Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, have largely kept their finances simple during her years as vice president.

"Her returns are fairly basic," said Craig Hausz, a certified financial planner and certified public accountant, who is CEO and managing partner at CMH Advisors in Dallas.

Yet that approach may have cost the couple as they left unclaimed tax savings through additional deductions, as well as other missed financial strategies.

The financial disclosures may raise few red flags in her career in public office. Unlike most other Americans, Harris and Emhoff can afford to avoid to miss those savings.

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"Even if she doesn't win president, as an ex vice president, she'll always have lots of money coming in," said Carolyn McClanahan, a CFP and founder of Life Planning Partners in Jacksonville, Florida.

"They will never lack for money, so they don't really need to worry too much about how [tax] efficient they are, or how much they save," said McClanahan, who is also a member of the CNBC FA Council.

Harris' office did not respond to a request for comment by press time.

The couple's recent tax filings mirror millions of other Americans', according to Boston-based CFP and enrolled agent Catherine Valega, founder of Green Bee Advisory.

"They took a conservative approach and