Sunday, April 18, 2010

Income Tax Injustice: Invasion of Privacy

The Income Tax is the single largest invasion of privacy perpetrated against the American people in our short history. I know you don't believe me. I know that most people are worried about government intrusion and spying on citizens. But, actually, by law you are required to yield up your most intimate secrets. J. Edgar Hoover would be so pleased.

Who are you? This question is answered in the opening of all the tax forms. Without going any deeper into the form let's look at just a few questions we can ask and answer.

  1. How many people live in your home?
  2. What are their names, ages, genders, and SSN's?
  3. How long have they lived with you?
  4. How long have you been married?

Pretty scary huh? It almost makes the census obsolete. And since the IRS holds your information a minimum of seven years...

If anyone other than the IRS asks you can tell them to go to the devil. After all this is America right? Don't we have a reasonable expectation of privacy? Isn't invasion of privacy considered to be anti-American? Sure, as long as we don't try to apply that standard for the government.

Based on the (required by law) truthful answers you provide you can also answer these questions.
  1. How many income producing sources do you personally have?
  2. How many income producing sources does your household have?
  3. Do you or any members of your household have health insurance? If yes, how much does it cost?
  4. Regardless of your health insurance situation; Does any member of your family have a recurring medical issue?
  5. Did you or your spouse change jobs? Get a raise? How is your business faring in these times?
Assuming that your head is not in the sand, it should be clear that the income tax poses an unacceptable degree of intrusion into your private life. We've only scratched the surface. These are not the only questions that can be asked. Just lay out your last ten tax returns. Compare all the information on them and you will see many other questions that will pop right out. Now imagine a person with an ax to grind being able to get to all this information on you. Think on it, sleep well.

Next post: What if you try to opt out?

FTFGIMAD
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