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Americans have tried just about everything to get out of paying their taxes, the Internal Revenue Service says, but very few of these excuses are likely to work.<\/p>\n
The IRS recently released its annual The Truth About Frivolous Tax Arguments report, which outlines not only the most popular arguments people have presented over the years to avoid paying their taxes, but also the policy statements and inevitable tax court decisions the government has used to debunk them.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnyone who contemplates arguing on legal grounds against paying their fair share of taxes should first read the 84-page document,\u201d the IRS said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Taxpayers\u2019 contentions have run the gamut over the years. Whether you\u2019re arguing that you don\u2019t have to pay your taxes based on moral grounds or because only \u201cemployees\u201d of the government are subject to federal income tax, though, it\u2019s likely to cost you a significant amount of time and a decent sum of money.<\/p>\n
Back in 2006, Congress increased the penalty for frivolous tax returns to $5,000 from $500. The penalty is applied when a person submits a tax return and any portion of the submission is based on a position the IRS identifies as frivolous.<\/p>\n
Those who were planning a dispute can find the full report on the agency\u2019s website, but MainStreet highlighted some of the main contentions disputed in federal courts and now considered frivolous by definition.<\/p>\n
Contention: Taxpayers can refuse to pay income taxes on religious or moral grounds.<\/b><\/p>\n
The IRS says taxpayers have frequently used the First Amendment to argue that they don\u2019t have to pay taxes because it is against their moral or religious beliefs, since it says that \u201cCongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.\u201d The Supreme Court has frequently asserted that saying your religious beliefs are in conflict with the payment of taxes provides no basis for refusing to pay, though.<\/p>\n