Comments on: Will I go to jail if I refuse to pay war taxes?

By: Erica

Erica — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 20:35:43 +0000

Hi Emma –
The principles of tax resistance that we use can certainly be used for other causes! We also have been defining war and militarism more broadly in the last several years, with reference to the current struggles of people in the United States around indigenous sovereignty, immigration, border militarization, and police militarization and violence. I’ve heard some interest around organizing to stop payment for the border wall Trump is now saying taxpayers will fund (and Mexico will pay back, he says – ha!), but no additional campaign or effort.
Here’s another post you might be interested in:
http://nwtrcc.org/2016/12/14/tax-resistance-age-trump/
And if you do come across tax resistance related to the incoming administration, please comment here, on our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/nwtrcc, or e-mail me at wartaxresister at nwtrcc dot org. We are always looking to build connections.
Best,
Erica

By: Emma Stephens

Emma Stephens — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 17:12:44 +0000

Thanks to this group for this very useful information. I wanted to know if the group had heard about tax protests against the incoming administration to fight against its proposed policies targeting vulnerable populations, like the undocumented, people of color, Muslims, or even just based on the fact that the incoming president has not released his own tax returns and has apparently avoided taxes for many years. I’m assuming the same principles and tactics apply but coordinated resistance against domestic oppression could be very powerful. Thanks again for this info and for your work.

By: Matthew Hoh

Matthew Hoh — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 05:54:06 +0000

In reply to Larry Bassett. Bravo Larry! You are a hero and an inspiration to me brother!

By: Donald D. Kaufman

Donald D. Kaufman — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 20:10:07 +0000

Thanks, Erica, for keeping me in the loop!.
It is obviously good information for everyone to know. I have the impression that most of this is included in either the Handbooks or in the 8 booklets (practicals) which have been published.

WHOLLY, HOLEY, HOLY by Melvin D. Schmidt is a newly published booklet which contains some gems on war tax resistance, including a World War I veteran’s testimony in Halstead, Kansas (see pages 145-146).
His name was Andrew Pjesky. Also note the reference to Harry Diener’s witness against WWI on the farm.
The author writes candidly. Book is published by the Mennonite Press(2016) in Newton, KS. 67114. It retails for $22.95 but can be secured from the author for $15 plus shipping($19.68). Call: 301-277-1362.
Schmidt’s father wanted him to save the struggling family farm, but instead became a pastor. He lives in Hyaatsville, Md. His writing highlights the humor as well as the hardship, including the controversies.
Schmidt is a tax resister; we worked together for 3 years in Indonesia. — ddk Jan. 5, 2017

By: Larry Bassett

Larry Bassett — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 20:01:59 +0000

My name is not on the list of people who have gone to jail for war tax resistance. But the US Justice Department did take me to federal court in the 1980s when I was working for NWTRCC. They took action presumably because I was fairly visible as a national organizer and I refused to tell them the location of my assets so they could seize resisted taxes. Ultimately the judge ruled that I did not have to cooperate with the IRS. I am looking forward this year to having another significant interaction with the IRS. As a result of the death of my father last year I will have taxable income approaching a half million dollars. I am redirecting a lot of money to local, national and international charities. Today I sent $5000 to Resist for NWTRCC and $5000 to the AJ Muste Foundation for WRL. I also sent $5000 to Give Directly a charity that gives money to the extremely poor in Africa. And just to top it off I sent $20,000 to other local and national do gooders! Right now I am just resting on my laurels. I am also directly helping a young man in Haiti get some job training and a young woman in Kenya get some trainIng so she can work on AIDS there.