Denver, CO asked in Business Law and Tax Law for Colorado

Q: Are paying taxes voluntary or law?

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3 Lawyer Answers
Linda Simmons Campbell
Linda Simmons Campbell
Answered
  • Tax Law Lawyer
  • Burlington, CT

A: It is the law.

Timothy Canty
Timothy Canty
Answered
  • Tax Law Lawyer
  • Evergreen, CO
  • Licensed in Colorado

A: While our tax system is voluntary in the sense that you file a return and send in the money you owe, you will quickly find out how involuntary it is if you fail to do so. Many people have refused to file and have argued that they don't have to pay taxes. Most of them are in federal prison.

Vivianne Cockrill agrees with this answer

Frank Huerta Jr
Frank Huerta Jr
Answered

A: Consider it like golf, you keep your own score but are required to accurately report and pay accurately. If you try advance the argument that taxes and the reporting a re merely voluntary, the IRS considers this a frivolous argument. The IRS likes to make examples of those advancing such arguments. You can find information regarding how the IRS treats your question at https://www.irs.gov/privacy-disclosure/the-truth-about-frivolous-tax-arguments-section-i-a-to-c#_Toc350157885

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