My Thoughts On Paying Taxes

I don't like taxes. I don't like paying taxes. But I do it.

I remember a time many years ago, that my husband had a conversation with a "friend" who said that we really don't have to pay them. We aren't obligated and it's against the constitution. This "friendly" conversation turned into purchasing a book that tells you you are not obligated to pay any taxes and how to go about it. The whole point was an argument that the Sixteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution did not authorize a tax on wages and salaries, but only on gain or profit. To go about not paying, you were required to send the Government (IRS) a form declaring yourself independent and in the long run, you could not receive any government assistance, i.e, welfare, social security, etc. as best my memory serves. Hogwash.

I read that book and it went right onto the bookshelf. At the bottom. In the back. As far away from sight as possible without going straight into the trashcan. I happen to love books and could never throw one away.

Just now I wanted to go read it again (for amusement) but realized that about 2 years ago it was borrowed by a "new" friend who thought he didn't have to pay taxes. That he had a right not to pay taxes. Funny, now that I think about it, I haven't seen that friend in a long time now.

The IRS has a lot to say about people who believe or fall for the idea of "not paying taxes". They call them frivolous tax arguments and have devoted some time telling us about them. Take a look at Frivolous Tax Arguments.

This is a PDF file and at the very end they tell you just what the penalties are for not paying your taxes.

I was really hoping to find something interesting or comical to read about taxes, but you know what? Taxes aren't funny and they aren't interesting.