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Irwin Schiff's How Anyone Can Stop Paying Income Taxes
An analysis of the legality of the income tax suggests that payment is voluntary and recommends ways to avoid paying taxes
179 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1982
About the author
Irwin A. Schiff
12 books28 followersAmerican anti-income tax activist. In 1950, Schiff graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and economics.
He has lost several civil cases against the federal government and has a record of multiple convictions for various federal tax crimes. Schiff is serving a 13-plus year sentence for tax crimes
He has lost several civil cases against the federal government and has a record of multiple convictions for various federal tax crimes. Schiff is serving a 13-plus year sentence for tax crimes
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 12, 2024
YOU MAY "STOP PAYING" TAXES... BUT LIKE SCHIFF, YOU MAY GO TO PRISON
Irwin A. Schiff (1928-2015) is a prominent tax protester, who lost several civil cases against the federal government, served time in prison, and died while in prison. He is also the author of books such as 'The Biggest Con: How the Government Is Fleecing You,' 'Federal Mafia: How It Illegally Imposes and Unlawfully Collects Income Taxes,' 'The Great Income Tax Hoax: Why You Can Immediately Stop Paying This Illegally Enforced Tax,' 'The Social Security Swindle: How Anyone Can Drop Out,' 'The Kingdom of Moltz,' etc.
He wrote in the Introduction to this 1982 book, "That millions of supposedly intelligent Americans could be thoroughly convinced that they are legally required to file and pay income taxes each year, when such is not the case, must rank as the greatest and most spectacular hoax of all time." He asserts that (1) no American is legally required to file an income tax return; (2) no American is legally required to submit to a tax audit; and (3) no American is legally required to have income taxes taken out of his pay.
He argues that if the information on a tax return were involuntary, it could not be used in tax prosecutions; "This, then, is proof that the information you give on your tax return is voluntary." (Pg. 20) He further argues based on the 5th amendment to the Constitution that, since a tax return could be used as a "witness against oneself," it cannot be required. (Pg. 21-22)
When IRS agents requested a meeting with Schiff, after breaking several appointments, "I finally had the meeting simply to demonstrate to fellow citizens that the IRS does not have the power to force an individual to reveal his books and records." (Pg. 86) When told that filing a tax return was based on "voluntary compliance," he replied, "In that case, I don't want to volunteer." (Pg. 101)
He says, "President Reagan is the first president in approximately 50 years who is trying to (cut government spending), but he needs far more help than he is ever going to get from Congress---and I suggest that we pitch in and help him." (Pg. 139)
He admits that his "lawyer friends" advise him that "The Constitution means what the Supreme Court says it means." Schiff calls this a "fiction." (Pg. 149) Ultimately, he complains that "despite my handing the Supreme Court an issue unrelated to taxes that literally cried for its attention, the Court let the issue go unresolved because resolving it would have gained my acquittal." (Pg. 162)
Schiff's arguments are sometimes slickly-presented---and most persuasive when presented orally "live"---but they obviously didn't keep him from serving many years, and ultimately dying in federal prison.
Irwin A. Schiff (1928-2015) is a prominent tax protester, who lost several civil cases against the federal government, served time in prison, and died while in prison. He is also the author of books such as 'The Biggest Con: How the Government Is Fleecing You,' 'Federal Mafia: How It Illegally Imposes and Unlawfully Collects Income Taxes,' 'The Great Income Tax Hoax: Why You Can Immediately Stop Paying This Illegally Enforced Tax,' 'The Social Security Swindle: How Anyone Can Drop Out,' 'The Kingdom of Moltz,' etc.
He wrote in the Introduction to this 1982 book, "That millions of supposedly intelligent Americans could be thoroughly convinced that they are legally required to file and pay income taxes each year, when such is not the case, must rank as the greatest and most spectacular hoax of all time." He asserts that (1) no American is legally required to file an income tax return; (2) no American is legally required to submit to a tax audit; and (3) no American is legally required to have income taxes taken out of his pay.
He argues that if the information on a tax return were involuntary, it could not be used in tax prosecutions; "This, then, is proof that the information you give on your tax return is voluntary." (Pg. 20) He further argues based on the 5th amendment to the Constitution that, since a tax return could be used as a "witness against oneself," it cannot be required. (Pg. 21-22)
When IRS agents requested a meeting with Schiff, after breaking several appointments, "I finally had the meeting simply to demonstrate to fellow citizens that the IRS does not have the power to force an individual to reveal his books and records." (Pg. 86) When told that filing a tax return was based on "voluntary compliance," he replied, "In that case, I don't want to volunteer." (Pg. 101)
He says, "President Reagan is the first president in approximately 50 years who is trying to (cut government spending), but he needs far more help than he is ever going to get from Congress---and I suggest that we pitch in and help him." (Pg. 139)
He admits that his "lawyer friends" advise him that "The Constitution means what the Supreme Court says it means." Schiff calls this a "fiction." (Pg. 149) Ultimately, he complains that "despite my handing the Supreme Court an issue unrelated to taxes that literally cried for its attention, the Court let the issue go unresolved because resolving it would have gained my acquittal." (Pg. 162)
Schiff's arguments are sometimes slickly-presented---and most persuasive when presented orally "live"---but they obviously didn't keep him from serving many years, and ultimately dying in federal prison.
June 8, 2024
I am now curious as to what has changed in the tax law since the publishing of this book, and if the defenses described by Schiff hold true to today.
The book effectively describes Schiff's beliefs as to why he believes his actions were within the law, focusing on the legal definitions of "may" and "voluntary." The book also highlights the corruption of the federal government, which dates back further than the average person might expect!
The book effectively describes Schiff's beliefs as to why he believes his actions were within the law, focusing on the legal definitions of "may" and "voluntary." The book also highlights the corruption of the federal government, which dates back further than the average person might expect!
February 18, 2018
It's fairly good in two areas: as bathroom humor (actually, that's where I keep my copy) and to attempt to understand conspiracy theorists (warning: they aren't constrained by logic or common sense).
Otherwise, unless you can get it for real cheap at a garage sale (which I did), don't waste good money thinking it will help you. It didn't help Schiff (who I believe died in prison).
Otherwise, unless you can get it for real cheap at a garage sale (which I did), don't waste good money thinking it will help you. It didn't help Schiff (who I believe died in prison).
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews