This may be a debate, but since ethics is supposed to be a black and white issue, I’m going to suppose that this can be a GQ post.
As you may have read, the US Congress has approved tax cuts retroactive to Jan 1. If news reports are to be believed, one of the features of this tax cut is a check being mailed out to taxpayers. This check is supposed to be in the amount of $400 per child in the taxpayers home. For me, this will amount to $800, which is a significant sum in my monthly budget.
The problem: I am very strongly opposed to these tax cuts. Since this is GQ, I won’t go into why I think they’re wrong, but I am quite firm in my convictions. This is the absolute wrong thing for the federal government to be doing at this time.
Since I have strong feelings about this tax cut (and rebate), is it ethical for me to cash the $800 Uncle Sam is supposed to send me? Since I don’t believe this is right, should I take the money? Keep in mind that I do pay my income taxes on time every year, but I do take all of the deductions I am entitled to, without cheating. I think it is a duty and responsibility to pay taxes and I follow the law regarding this. I would like to keep this $800, should it actually come, but I feel a bit guilty about it.
You’ll have to figure out the right and wrong of the situation for yourself. Is is hypocritical to cash the checks? No one can come up with an definitive answer.
However, if you feel the cuts are wrong, then why not donate them to some charity?
Think about it this way: If you are opposed to tax cuts, it may be reasonable to believe that you would support (in principle) at least a small tax increase.
NOT cashing the cheques would be effectively the same as overpaying tax and not filing a return… or filing a return but intentionally omitting deductions.
Since you file your returns properly, it’s evident that you pay as little tax as possible, whether or not you agree that the amount is prudent as national policy.
Everyone may not have the same idea of what is right and wrong, but aren’t there absolutes? Isn’t there a definitive “right” or “wrong” for nearly every situation.
Sorry, I didn’t mean to make this a debate about whether ethics can have a right or wrong answer.
Unless you think that we previously had some perfect tax code (in an absolute sense) prior to to the recent cut, you are letting your political beliefs cloud your judgement. The tax code is a nightmare of entangled priorities and special interest loopholes. To object to only one specific tax cut is kind of silly. Why not the earlier tax cuts that are still in effect? They don’t bother you?
If it makes you feel better, use the extra money for charity. If you pick a good one, they’ll probably do a hell of a lot more for your fellow human beings than the gov’t could possibly do. And then maybe you’ll get the idea of what the tax cut was for in the first place!
I was with you 'till the last sentence. How will donating to charity help me understand that the tax cut was to buy my vote? “Vote for us – we gave you money last summer!”
Thanks for the thoughtful replies. No, I don’t think that our tax code is perfect, and yes, I do take every deduction and credit that I am entitled to.
Giving to charity is fine, but that has no effect on the ethics of the situation. If you stole $800, then gave it to charity, would that be OK?
Look, I don’t have any minor children, so that means I’ll have to pay for your windfall. But that’s alright. I don’t mind. I may have to give my car back, but I guess I really don’t deserve a new car anyway.
Just throw me in the old folks home and forget me.
Peace,
mangeorge
There are a zillion provisions in the tax code, including 1) provisions you like and provisions you dislike and 2) provisions that benefit you and provisions that don’t benefit you. But you can’t pick and choose. You have to take the tax code as a whole. So cash the check and write a letter to your elected representatives asking that they knock it off.
Oh, forgot to mention – the 1040 has an option to give money to the federal treasury. If you believe the tax cut is a bad idea and that the government should have the money, you can always cash the check (I believe in keeping accounting clean – always cash checks, even if you’re giving the money back) and donate it to the treasury at 1040 time.
Some people actually believe that we are overtaxed, some people actually believe that the best way to get our economy going is by the private sector. The above is not without precident, but also has it’s objectors. Our government is structured such that the elected party (especially if Pres and both houses are botht he same party) gets to decide policy and can give people back any taxes that they decide that the government has overtaxed. You are part of our political system, you have the right to vote (assumed) and have the right to petition the government to change laws and the like. This is how the system is suppose to work.
If it works then great, hopefully you will re-elect Bush (and have more take home pay)
If it doesn’t elect Hillary.
It’s all part of the beauty of our system.
I have to say that a flat refund is much more helpful to the working class then the rich and would think most people should support it.
[ul][li] I’m for the tax cut[/li][li] I raised 5 kids (all grown)[/li][li] I won’t be getting a check[/li][li] Sign your check and send it to me. :D[/li][/ul]
