Comments on: Tax Q&A: I heard there isn’t actually a law that says we have to pay taxes. Is this true?

By: Ku

Ku — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:41:31 +0000

It basically boils down to this: The complacent, dumbed down average American has not the fortitude to stand up for “it’s” rights. “It”, the complacent, dumbed down average American, has lost sight of what “it” is and what “it’s” government is supposed to be. Income taxes ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL. If EVERYONE had the sense and the fortitude enough to come together and stand against the tyranny and corruption, we wouldn’t have to waste time talking about such trivial things.
TAX HOLIDAY 2009: FREEDOM TO FASCISM

By: Tax Rascal

Tax Rascal — Mon, 18 May 2009 20:58:25 +0000

Even if it is, you have to convince a jury of that. And even if you do, Congress will just turn around and make it involuntary like they meant to.

Your best-case scenario here is that you have a lot of inconvenience and worry and legal fees in order to not pay taxes for one year. Your worst-case is that you pay the fees, pay the taxes, pay fines, pay interest — and end up in jail.

Sounds like a bad deal, even if you turn out to be right.

By: steveldm

steveldm — Sat, 16 May 2009 15:07:50 +0000

paying taxes is totally voluntary

By: Tax Rascal

Tax Rascal — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:14:55 +0000

That’s a fair point! However, there are two things to consider:

1) If your time is an asset, which you’re selling, then you ought to owe capital gains taxes on it for the tax code to be consistent.

2) Even if it’s irrational, my point is that if the law, as it’s written, isn’t enforceable, then the law will be rewritten so it is enforceable. The government runs as if taxing income is the right thing to do, and if the phrasing of the law makes that a problem, the phrasing will change before the government shrinks.

By: Martin

Martin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:34:49 +0000

So “taxable income” is taxable at X, Y or Z percent. That still does not clarify what constitutes taxable income. When I trade my time, which has a value, for money, this is not income, it is an even trade. This is in my opinion the interesting argument as to why most Americans might not owe taxes – since they have no taxable income to be taxed.

Pointing to a circular law which says “taxable income must be taxed” is hardly persuasive in this light.

By: Mike Harmon

Mike Harmon — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 01:37:17 +0000

Nice writing style. I look forward to reading more in the future.