Will the IRS ever be held accountable for throwing people in jail for not paying the "voluntary" income tax?

Historically, income tax protestors have cited that they are not required to submit a federal tax return because it is voluntary according to the Internal Revenue Code. These people were prosecuted for not filing their voluntary tax returns.

The fifth amendment of the US Constitution:

Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

One cannot be compelled to be a witness against himself. One of two cases can be true for filing tax returns: they can either be voluntary or they can be involuntary. If they are involuntary, as they seem to be, then they cannot be used as evidence in court. If they are voluntary, then you cannot be penalized in any way for not filing.

So which is it? And regardless of which, why are people being thrown in jail for not filing tax returns?

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bowman81 · M

The 16th amendment to the Constitution gives them the right and power to tax income and to punish non compliance. It was passed after the implementation of the original income tax. The courts have repeatedly ruled against the tax scofflaws and yes they will jail you for failing to comply with the income tax regulation.

"The Sixteenth Amendment (Amendment XVI) to the United States Constitution allows the Congress to levy an income tax without apportioning it among the states or basing it on the United States Census. This amendment exempted income taxes from the constitutional requirements regarding direct taxes, after income taxes on rents, dividends, and interest were ruled to be direct taxes in the court case of Pollock v. Farmers' Loan & Trust Co. (1895). The amendment was adopted on February 3, 1913."

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bowman81 · M

@IstillmissEP It has been challenged unsuccessfully for over 100 years, all the way to the supreme court, and none of them have been successful. Those tin foil hat types who continue to believe otherwise end up losing their treasure and ultimately freedom.

Sorry but it was passed, adopted and is part of the Constitution since 1913. It matters not how much you jump up and down and scream. They are old arguments and they have lost.

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nedkelly · 61-69, M

When will they prosecute Al Sharpton for non payment of taxes

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Graciebaby · F

The IRS is not a Federal department and never has been. It was created after the Federal Reserve Bank that is also a private company that was createD like the Bank by the Rothschilds consortium.

Look them both up.

Graylight · 51-55, F

The federal tax is law. One need not bear witness against himself in order to unlawfully withhold taxes, the compensation for which is services to the citizen. Bearing witness deals only with offering testimony in court.

I can have my 5th amendment rights protected and still be guilty of murder.

SW-User

https://www.irs.gov/privacy-disclosure/the-truth-about-frivolous-tax-arguments-section-i-a-to-c#_Toc350157885

Graylight · 51-55, F

@SW-User Great link.

YouCanCallMeDan · 41-45, M

Your constitution means nothing. It will be ignored just as the Magna Carta is in the UK.

MrBrownstone · 46-50, M

Good question.

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