Toss up as to whether to put this in GQ or IMHO. Seems more opinion than factual I guess so here it be.
What do the folks who refuse to pay federal income tax think about paying state income taxes, local sales taxes, etc.? Is there any sort of concensus of opinion? Are there differences amongst those who, say, insist the 16th Amendment was never properly ratified and those who refuse to pay to protest, for example, the military budget?
My dad owns a tax representation firm (think halfway between an accountant and a layer) where we deal with people who haven’t filed in years, have liens, levies, etc and so forth. A lot, lot, lot of our clients are tax protestors.
Of course I can’t speak for everyone, but we have had a few of the “ring leaders” as clients. I should note that it is our rule that our clients must stay in the system from now on or we wont help them. One particular ring leader was NOT happy with this requirement, he said, “We shouldn’t have to pay any taxes! It’s stupid. We don’t see one red cent of the money we put in! All that money is lining the pockets of the Washington fat cats, that’s what it’s doing!”
Me: “Well, do you at least pay local and state taxes?”
Tax protestor guy: “Hell no! That money just goes to line the pockets of Washington fat cats, man! We wont see any of it anyway.”
Me: “Do you drive on the roads?”
TPG: “…of course.”
Me: “Do you send your kids to public school?”
TPG: “Well yeah. Four of 'em, actually!”
Me: “And have you ever had to call the police or fire department?”
TPG: “Oh yeah, last summer my barn almost burned down! The fire department saved it for me!”
And I just looked at him. Mind you, this man was one of the “ring leaders” who the IRS is trying to get on criminal charges. People actually listen to this guy. Yeah. Oh boy.
Anyway, his little “it’s all bad!!!” attitude seems to be most common among our clients.
But here is what I find funny: most of our clients for standard tax rep are blue collar workers (with little education, money, etc.); often these people simply couldn’t pay their taxes and want desperately to get back in the system.
The tax protestors are almost ALL doctors, lawyers, and even accountants (:rolleyes:) .
Oh and for what it’s worth: if you owe the IRS money because you simply couldn’t pay, they will usually be very nice and work with you. If the IRS finds out you are a tax protestor, your ass is grass. Nowadays, the only people who get criminally prosecuted, have their houses taken away, etc are tax protestors.
Hope that helped a smidge.
Yes, a layer. That’s. . . French. . . for lawyer.
And bad coding is, um, French too?
<bump>
Interesting. Anyone else?