I heard it was not constitutional law to have to pay taxes. What would happen if someone neglected to do so?
2007-07-25 13:18:49 · 10 answers · asked by Ms. Witaker 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ United States
You heard wrong. Taxpayers have used many approaches to avoid taxes and courts always thrown out such frivolous claims. Many people neglect to pay their taxes, and if they are caught they have to pay, together with interest and penalties. In serious cases, they go to jail. The Internal Revenue Service does not catch all tax cheats, but when it catches them, the financial cost is high. It is not worth taking a chance.
2007-07-25 13:28:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
You would be better off saying that you forgot to file than that you thought it was unconstitutional, since being active in the protest movement draws special attention, and that old 16th Amendment "Cheek vs. United States" argument no longer holds water.
Failure to file is only subject to 1 year imprisonment and 50% whereas a fraudulent return can subject you to 5 years imprisonment and $100,000 fine and 100% penalty. Criminal charges can only be brought against you for the past 6 years. Either way the statute of limitations on the tax and penalty is open forever.
More than likely, you are not important or rich or famous or smart enough to prosecute criminally. So you will eventually begin receiving notices in which your tax with penalties and back interest has been estimated.
If you do not pay those notices, then eventually your bank account and salary will be levied, your car will be towed, and a tax lien will be placed on your business and your home. When you die the tax can even be taken out of your estate.
2007-07-25 17:09:40 · answer #2 · answered by BruceN 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You heard wrong. The Constitution explicitly grants the right to the government to levy taxes. That is indisputable and INCLUDES income taxes. Prior to the 16th Amendment, the courts had ruled that income taxes were direct taxes and had to be apportioned among the several states. The 16th amendment simply changed the treatment of income taxes to that of an indirect tax, i.e. without apportionment, and that's exactly what the wording of the 16th Amendment is.
If you don't pay your income taxes, eventually the government will step in and simply take the money, plus penalties and interest. That will usually result in a much larger levy than if you had simply paid the taxes when due.
In extreme cases the government may prosecute for failure to file tax returns when ordered to do so, filing of a false return, filing of a frivolous return, or non-payment of taxes. That's the exception to the rule but it can and does happen. Once in a while a tax kook or protester does manage to dodge the bullet on prosecution but they never dodge the bullet on the tax debt itself.
2007-07-25 21:58:53 · answer #3 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe that the constitution gives any government the right to levy taxes. If you don't pay any taxes, they can take your home for neglected property taxes, all your money and will probably throw you in jail. People who say things like that don't know what they are talking about.
2007-07-25 13:24:40 · answer #4 · answered by Andrea B 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They garish your wages, take your funds, and will arrest you for tax evasion if the above does not work.
Not all laws are in the Constitution. There is nothing in there about 99% of the federal laws that we have.
Usually only one, state or federal, comes after you at a time, but they both will get the money you are trying to steal from you fellow Americans eventually.
2007-07-25 13:24:43 · answer #5 · answered by Landlord 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The 16th amendment to the US Constitution was passed by Congress in 1909 and ratified by the states in 1913. This amendment gives Congress authority to "lay (levy) and collect taxes on income".
It has been the law since 1913, and in spite of numerous challenges, no one has ever won.
2007-07-25 17:18:08 · answer #6 · answered by skipper 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Taxes , although not part of the original constitution ,
ARE part of the constitutional amendments sooo . . .
When someone refuses , they go to prison for tax evasion .
2007-07-25 13:24:41 · answer #7 · answered by kate 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Taxes pay for public schooling, fire trucks/firemen, police car/policeman, libraries and public official salaries. It would be the wild wild west all over again!
2007-07-25 13:28:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
IRS will eventually send you a letter letting you know that you haven't filed and if you don't they will. and you will eventually owe, and your wages could be garnished, a levy will be put on your home, bank accounts etc.
2007-07-25 14:02:32 · answer #9 · answered by Ms. Angel.. 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
eventually your butt would go to jail.
2007-07-25 13:21:58 · answer #10 · answered by syanew2000 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋