I don't disagree with the sentiment, but the government already has this ability, whether you pay electronically or not. When you write a check, the money is in

I don't disagree with the sentiment, but the government already has this ability, whether you pay electronically or not. When you write a check, the money is in fact transferred electronically, just with a paper authorization as middleman. Do you know you can write any date whatsoever on the check and it doesn't matter? Also the amount can be completely illegible. Doesn't matter. Writing a check isn't any kind of "defense" against the thing you don't like. I don't believe the tax authorities accept cash, but I may be wrong. That would be your only way to limit their reach. If "direct debit" incurs the fee, then yes, I too would write a check. Not sure from the description if that is functionally equivalent to e-check or ACH, or if it means the same as "debit card". Avoiding the fee is useful, but avoiding the reach is impractical and not achieved with a check.