Tax Day: A Matter of Conscience

by John Harmon, WAMM and the Minnesota Military Tax Resistance Network

Tax time is upon us once again. Most people will be engaged in the annual spring ritual of filing and paying income taxes to the United States government this tax season--a ritual that culminates on April 17, Tax Day. According to the War Resisters League, nearly 50 percent of what is paid in federal income taxes (fiscal year 1999) goes toward past and current military spending. Since many of us work for peace, demonstrate for peace, and pray for peace, now is a wonderful time to explore and discuss military tax resistance.

I began learning the horrors of our military and U.S. foreign policy in the late 1980s while attending college. As I studied the Vietnam War in class and protested U.S. policies in Central America on the streets, I became increasingly critical of the military as a worthwhile way of dealing with global conflicts. I was in the Army Reserve at that time and came to the realization that I could no longer "serve" my country in this way due to my conscience. I could not kill someone and I could not be part of an Army that supported foreign policies I questioned. Consequently, I left the Army before my commitment was fulfilled, on a general discharge.

Similarly, I came to the conclusion I could not and, ultimately, would not pay for others to kill for me or "in my name." I could not, in good conscience, contribute funds to the U.S. military to do what I was unwilling to do: kill other human beings. For this reason, I have never paid any federal income taxes and have never filed an income tax form. I realize I can never own any assets that could be seized by the IRS.

I would like to pay federal taxes to promote peace and life affirming services, but I am not given such a choice. I look forward to when the Peace Tax Fund becomes a reality. (This is a bill, introduced in Congress for over 25 years, which would allow for conscientious objector status with regards to paying for the military.) In the meantime, I will refuse to cooperate with the IRS in any attempt to collect the fruits of my labor for war and the military. I will also continue, as a dedicated volunteer, to promote peace and to donate what financial resources I can to efforts that serve peace and justice.

There are a variety of options in response to the concern of war taxes. Some people pay taxes, but include a letter of protest. Others give away as much money as possible to reduce their tax liability. Some live below the taxable income level. Some protest the federal excise tax on their phone bills. This year, why not consider responding in some way to the issue of military taxes?