income tax system
Is the income tax system voluntary to citizens who work and live domestically in the united states?
3 Answers from Attorneys
Re: income tax system
Some people say it is but they are wrong.
Joel Selik
www.taxworkout.com
Re: income tax system
The tax system is not voluntary! It sounds like you may be listening to tax scam artists! Please see more detailed comments at:
http://www.taxesq.com/scams.html
Re: income tax system
If you are a US citizen (or otherwise qualify as a US taxpayer), you are obliged to pay taxes on your worldwide income, howsoever derived. Ours is a system of so-called voluntary assessment, which means only that the taxpayer has the obligation to file a return and report the income, rather than having the government file a return based upon the information available to it. However, in practice, there is nothing at all voluntary about the system -- failure to file a return with the intent to evade taxes is criminal, as well as an omission that brings into play a 75% penalty.
Beware of many outfits that promise ways to set up structures to "avoid" (really, evade) US income taxes, or advances arguments that you have no legal obligation to file returns or pay taxes. They tend to be costly in two ways: first, to set up such structures or attend seminars touting these schemes; second, when the full arsenal of the IRS comes down on you on audit.
I suggest that you look at Prof. Jim Maule's Web site for broader treatment of tax "avoidance". http://vls.law.vill.edu/prof/maule/taxprotfr.htm
Best wishes,
LDWG