On the Bryan Suits show tonight, one of his guest’s comments concerned a common myth, that there is no law requiring us to pay income tax, based on her viewing the film Freedom to Fascism.

Now, I hate taxes as much as you do, and I am all for discussions about flat taxes and the fair tax proposals, but I am also honest and a realist, and the reality here is that Yes Virginia, there really are laws requiring us to pay taxes

People like the person in this story often confront law enforcement officials demanding them to show them the law,

Tax Fugitive Barricaded in House: ‘Show Us the Law, and We’ll Pay’

The New Hampshire man who is holed up with armed supporters in his fortress-like house after being convicted of tax evasion says he just wants everyone to pay attention and obey the law.

“I want people to realize that there is no such thing as an obligation to pay income tax,” said Edward Brown. “It has nothing to do with the Constitution.”

So in the interest of enlightenment, here is the answer from the IRS:

The Truth About Frivolous Tax Arguments - Section I

But as the IRS is the enemy, here is some more neutral information.

 Tax Myths

• There’s just no law requiring you to pay federal income taxes.
• The IRS refuses to show anyone the law that requires people to pay income taxes.
• The Internal Revenue Code is not law.
• The income tax is voluntary.
• You don’t have to pay because the laws do not make you “liable” for income taxes.
• You don’t have to pay income taxes unless they are assessed.
• Wages are not income.
• The income tax laws are ineffective because they don’t define the term “income.”
• The income tax laws apply only in the District of Columbia or a federal territory.
• The federal government can’t tax “free sovereign citizens.”
• The income tax is unconstitutional because the 16th Amendment, which authorizes it, was never ratified.
• The income tax is unconstitutional because the 16th Amendment conferred no new power of taxation.
• Income tax is slavery.
• Section 861 shows that the domestic income of U.S. citizens is not taxable.
• It’s not a crime not to pay income taxes, so long as you believe you don’t have to.
• Government officials, judges, lawyers, and professors can’t be trusted to tell the truth about tax law.
• Nothing bad ever happens to tax protestors.

More info is here:  http://docs.law.gwu.edu/facweb/jsiegel/Personal/taxes/IncomeTax.htm

Look I hate the tax system.  It is complex, unfair and wasteful.  I will be the first one up to call for income tax reform.

But we need to do that with Congress, not with fallacious arguments that land people in jail and only provide the IRS even more money in the form of penalties, interest and fees.

If you are convinced the IRS is unfair, well sorry, they have the law behind them.  So why pay more then you have to?  It’s pretty idiotic to play into their greedy little hands and give them even more money.

Here is a question for the Tax protesters:  If the laws were such that there is no doubt, would you voluntarily pay? 

I wonder….

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