Increasingly, War Tax Resisters Defy IRS in Protest Over Iraq

[babylonsister]

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/04/16/554/

Increasingly, War Tax Resisters Defy IRS in Protest Over Iraq
by Wayne Woolley

Bryan Nelson’s federal tax return says he owes $3,082. So he mailed his 1040 form to the IRS before tomorrow’s filing deadline. But for the second year in a row, the New Brunswick man did not send what he owes. His reason: “I wasn’t going to pay for an illegal war in Iraq.”

Nelson, 26, told the IRS as much in a letter included with his 2006 tax return and did the same thing last year, when he owed about $1,100. Both times he also included a list of charities where he sent the money instead. One is an organization that aids wounded war veterans.

In taking this step, Nelson joins the ranks of an estimated 10,000 Americans who will not pay federal taxes or pay only a portion of what they owe as a means of protesting the Iraq war or the nation’s defense expenditures.

The IRS says opposition to government policies is no excuse for not giving Uncle Sam his due.

“Taxpayers have a right to express their opinions to the government in a public and private forum,” the agency said in a statement. “The actions of expressing your opinion and also fulfilling your legal responsibilities of filing and paying taxes on a timely basis are separate issues.”

Nelson, who works as a union organizer, considers what he is doing an act of civil disobedience. He knows his decision could lead to penalties including fines or jail.

“It’s a serious act to violate the law,” he said. “I respect the law and the tax system. I’m not trying to evade taxes. I’m just trying to minimize my complicity in what the government is doing. I want my money to go where it can help.”

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