@ Americans: No law for income tax?

[Soberian]

I just saw an interesting thread in a german Forum where they link to a vid on Youtube. According to that, there actualy is no law to pay income tax in America!

I'm not sure what to think of that, I've only seen part 1 in german so better have a look urself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsZO6G7dfpI (full english Version)

[nor]

I've heard this theory before I think, something about one of the constitutional amendments not being properly ratified I believe. But rest assured, if you don't pay your taxes in the US they will come for you

[Vap0r]

I think the bottom line was that you had to file by law but the actual paying of taxes was still voluntary, or so the story goes...

[Slick]

Thank you, of course I must do a little research on my own, but much of what was presented I have already known to be true.

I guess we need to re-write the sign on Ellis Island to merely say: "Welcome Slaves, now shut up and get to work"

[AlphaGeek]

Even if no law says you're supposed to pay them, try *not* paying them and watch what happens! lol

AG

[Vap0r]

Lol Aye, they don't take kindly to that

[Epictetus]

They got Capone on tax evasion.

[Jager von Amber]

This has been covered many times in the courts (including THE Court - the Supreme Court) and yes, by law, the filing and paying is required.

[Slick]

Originally Posted by Jager von Amber

This has been covered many times in the courts (including THE Court - the Supreme Court) and yes, by law, the filing and paying is required.

Sorry mate, do a little research. The Supreme Court has continually ruled that Income Tax is unconstitutional. It is only the lower courts that enforce a law that they cannot produce in writing.

[Constantine]

Originally Posted by Slick

Sorry mate, do a little research. The Supreme Court has continually ruled that Income Tax is unconstitutional. It is only the lower courts that enforce a law that they cannot produce in writing.

Yeah...they did that before the amendment to the Constitution made it constitutional. By being in the Constitution, it is by definition, constitutional. The lower courts have no need to argue that the constitution is constitutional.

Now, there have been arguments saying the amendment itself is unconstitutional, one of the most creative of which is here. However, that said, the amendment is valid, income tax is legal and required (although there are circumstances where you need not file an income tax return), and income tax evasion is one of the quicker ways to end up in federal prison (where you serve more of your time, farther from home).