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I have to wonder how politically motivated this might be. I met an older couple a while ago who refused to file taxes to protest the war. Wasn't illegal mind

I have to wonder how politically motivated this might be. I met an older couple a while ago who refused to file taxes to protest the war. Wasn't illegal mind you. They simply made sure that they didn't earn more than cut-off ($9k I believe). They just travelled around in an RV, played folk songs, and made their living off the kindness of strangers and random odd jobs.

pmoriarty 9y ago
If enough people to affect IRS statistics were this idealistic we'd probably be living in a far different world than we are now. Unfortunately, or fortunately, most people are not so politically committed or even interested enough to do those kinds of things. The couple you speak of sound pretty exceptional. Most people are content to just have a job, go home to relax and play with the kids, pass out in front of the TV and rise the next day to do it all over again, and don't even think about politics until election day (if they even vote, which many don't).
nightski 9y ago
I can imagine the "effectiveness" of this protest... I feel like if you are going to endure personal sacrifice to make a stand, you need to consider what the overall impact/objective is and make sure you are doing the right thing to achieve that objective. There were probably far better paths to go down for these folks.
- BackODaEnvelope 9y ago
  I don't think of it as a personal sacrifice. I longer have the blood of innocents on my conscience. Also: I now own most of my own time, which is my highest value. Low consumption living isn't the sacrifice I thought it would be when I started. To each their own.
  - nightski 9y ago
    Then they weren't really protesting anything. Just living normally. Also, for me the sacrifice would not be low consumption living but rather riding around in an RV singing folk songs. Sounds like torture. As you say, to each their own. I actually really enjoy what I do for a living.
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]
Old_Thrashbarg 9y ago
Alternatively, if someone wanted to protest, they could make as much money as they like, then just donate it to their cause to avoid taxes.
- uncletammy 9y ago
  You may deduct charitable contributions of money or property made to qualified organizations if you itemize your deductions. Generally, you may deduct up to 50 percent of your adjusted gross income, but 20 percent and 30 percent limitations apply in some cases. from https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/charitable-contribution-deductions https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organiz...
BackODaEnvelope 9y ago
I suspect lots of folks are doing this. I do (earn under the taxable limit I mean. I still file). Meet Dave Gross, my inspiration https://sniggle.net/TPL/index5.php https://sniggle.net/TPL/index5.php Here's how the math works: https://sniggle.net/TPL/index5.php?entry=howto https://sniggle.net/TPL/index5.php?entry=howto I no longer winter in Palm Beach, but I also no longer have blood on my hands.
BackODaEnvelope 9y ago
For a single person under 65: standard deduction $6,300 plus personal exemption $4,050 = $10,350 can be earned before income tax is due. More, if you use tax advantaged retirement and HSA accounts. Note: this only applies to the personal income tax, not the payroll or self employment taxes.

pmoriarty 9y ago

If enough people to affect IRS statistics were this idealistic we'd probably be living in a far different world than we are now. Unfortunately, or fortunately, most people are not so politically committed or even interested enough to do those kinds of things. The couple you speak of sound pretty exceptional. Most people are content to just have a job, go home to relax and play with the kids, pass out in front of the TV and rise the next day to do it all over again, and don't even think about politics until election day (if they even vote, which many don't).

nightski 9y ago

I can imagine the "effectiveness" of this protest... I feel like if you are going to endure personal sacrifice to make a stand, you need to consider what the overall impact/objective is and make sure you are doing the right thing to achieve that objective. There were probably far better paths to go down for these folks.

BackODaEnvelope 9y ago
I don't think of it as a personal sacrifice. I longer have the blood of innocents on my conscience. Also: I now own most of my own time, which is my highest value. Low consumption living isn't the sacrifice I thought it would be when I started. To each their own.
- nightski 9y ago
  Then they weren't really protesting anything. Just living normally. Also, for me the sacrifice would not be low consumption living but rather riding around in an RV singing folk songs. Sounds like torture. As you say, to each their own. I actually really enjoy what I do for a living.
deleted 9y ago
[deleted]

Old_Thrashbarg 9y ago

Alternatively, if someone wanted to protest, they could make as much money as they like, then just donate it to their cause to avoid taxes.

uncletammy 9y ago
You may deduct charitable contributions of money or property made to qualified organizations if you itemize your deductions. Generally, you may deduct up to 50 percent of your adjusted gross income, but 20 percent and 30 percent limitations apply in some cases. from https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/charitable-contribution-deductions https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organiz...

BackODaEnvelope 9y ago

I suspect lots of folks are doing this. I do (earn under the taxable limit I mean. I still file). Meet Dave Gross, my inspiration https://sniggle.net/TPL/index5.php https://sniggle.net/TPL/index5.php Here's how the math works: https://sniggle.net/TPL/index5.php?entry=howto https://sniggle.net/TPL/index5.php?entry=howto I no longer winter in Palm Beach, but I also no longer have blood on my hands.

BackODaEnvelope 9y ago

For a single person under 65: standard deduction $6,300 plus personal exemption $4,050 = $10,350 can be earned before income tax is due. More, if you use tax advantaged retirement and HSA accounts. Note: this only applies to the personal income tax, not the payroll or self employment taxes.