Is there a specific law mandating income tax?

Question

Is paying income tax mandatory? Is it constitutional? Are there any laws on the books that say you HAVE to pay taxes?

Answer 1

1. Yes, there is a specific law mandating income tax. It is codified in Title 26 U.S.C. http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/uscode26/usc_sup_01_26.html

2. Yes, if you make above the standard deduction, you must pay an income tax.

3. Yes, it is Constitutional. Read Article 1, Section 8 and the 16th amendment.
http://www.senate.gov/civics/constitution_item/constitution.htm

For more information on why anti-tax arguments are wrong, go to http://evans-legal.com/dan/tpfaq.html

Answer 2

Bostonian:
You said, "The Constitution grants Congress the power to lay taxes. ANY taxes." I would highly recommend you re-read the US Constitution. It allows 2 types of taxes and ONLY 2 types of taxes. Direct; apportioned and Indirect; equally applied through out the country.

The 16th Amendment did NOT grant Congress any new powers of taxation as stated in Stanton v. Baltic Mining Co., 240 U.S. 103 (1916). It simply clarified whether the Income Tax was an Indirect or Direct tax ... It was determined to be an Indirect Tax. This is why it can be applied without apportionment.

NGC6205:
Wow, thank you for pointing out the Title where laws can be found with regard to the income tax. Now go find the damned law that requires EVERY American to pay Federal Income Tax ... You won't find it ... It's not there!

You guys are asleep at the wheel. Start reading about the subject and determine for yourself where the truth lies. I can tell you that there is alot more to this than many of you are willing to admit. Many of the arguments about the laws Constitutionality are incorrect but that does not mean everyone has to pay the tax.

Answer 3

Amendment XVI to the constitution.
The congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several states, and without regard to any census or enumeration.
proposed by congress July 12 1909, ratified Feb 3 1913.

Answer 4

The 16th Amendment to the US Constitution was enacted in 1913. Since then it has been legal to tax income. The current code was enacted in 1954 and signed by Dwight Eisenhower. Of course the law has been changed drastically since that date. It's interesting to note that in 1913, there were two lines - one for income and one for tax. Even the 1040EZ is complex compared to that.

Answer 5

Your questions are not new to us on Yahoo answers. Title 26 of the United States Code based upon the 16th Amendment of the US Constitution is the authority. People who have all ready voiced the same questions that you have asked and refused to pay their taxes only find themselves paying penalties, fines and maybe serving jail time.

Answer 6

Amendment 16 - Status of Income Tax Clarified

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

Kinda makes it clear, doesn't it?

Answer 7

Yes on all counts.

The Constitution grants Congress the power to lay taxes. ANY taxes.

The 16th Amendment permits income taxes without apportionment, previously ruled against by the courts in the late 1800s.

Title 26 of the US Code is the current law.

Answer 8

First, read the Sixteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. When you are done with that, then read the Revenue Act of 1913.

Both should answer your question.

Answer 9

Don't be drawn in to the time worn losing arguments of the fruitcake fringe. They have a 100% loss record in court. (The occasional not-proven enough criminal case only proves that prosecutors don't win all the time.)

Taxes, any taxes imposed by any jurisdiction are mandatory, not voluntary. Anyone who thinks otherwise is in need of mental laxatives.

Answer 10

acermill has hit it right on the head.

The question of whether income tax is constitutional or not has been fought, and lost, numerous times. None of the arguements hold up.