War and Taxes

Last night I helped show a film on war rax resistance. The film, “An Act of Conscience” is about a couple who in the 1990’s fought a battle against the IRS in proceedings that led to the confiscation and sale of their home. The story revolved around what happened next with the family that bought the home, the squatting and then eviction of the home by various community members, and the new homeowners settling with the community who owned a collective that actually owned the land on which the home sat. It is a very compelling story and really makes one think about where their taxes are spent.

Here is a pie chart, published by the War Resisters League that depicts the portion of your federal taxes that go towards the military and war efforts:

I am the state contact for the National War Tax REsistsnace Coordinating Committee. I help show this film each year and provide literature for people who may be interested in learning more about what they can do to divert their tax dollars away from war. You can view the NWTRCC’s Statement of Purpose. It is a coalition of groups dedicated to providing information and resources and support for those considering war tax resistance.
There are multiple ways to engage in war tax resistance.

Some people choose to start with not paying the federal excise tax on their phone bill – a tax that goes directly to the war department. The phone company cannot turn off your phone bill if you choose to do this. You send in your bill, minus the amount of the federal excise tax, along with a note stating why you are not paying it. You can download a template of a statement HERE.

Those that choose to not pay the IRS the portion of their income taxes that go to war do so by filing a tax return minus the portion of that percentage of taxes and then donate the money to organizations that aid war victims, homelessness, food banks, or other social justice organizations. When they file their tax return, they accompany it with a letter stating their reasons for not paying war taxes.

Some people have been jailed and others have had their assets confiscated. Still others choose to not have any assets, thereby not having anything the government can take.

There are many folks who have been doing war tax resistance for decades. Others are just beginning.
If one decides to consider this path, it takes a lot of soul-searching, researching, and gathering of support. Whatever the decision, it should be seriously considered before embarking on the mission, due to the priorities our government places on penalizing non-violent acts.