More than a paycheck NEWS FROM THE WAR TAX RESISTANCE MOVEMENT April/May 2011 No to War – Again By Ruth Benn n email came today with estimates Aof the cost of the attack on Libya. Counting just the cost of the Tomahawk missiles ($1.1 million each) used in the initial assault (112 missiles), the U.S. blew up $123 million on Libyan targets; mil- lions more will have been spent by the time you read these words. Readers can refer to their local media of choice and balance that cost with the cuts to social programs coming to your schools, your streets, your drug rehab programs, your child care programs, your mental health programs, your public radio stations, your housing programs, your mass transit programs. When it comes to war, most readers of this newsletter have gotten to the point of saying (or shouting) “not with my money” and NYC war tax resisters with their new signs in Times Square on March 19. The protest on the anniversary of adhering to that call of our conscience as the invasion of Iraq evolved into a protest of the U.S. and allied attack on Libya, which began that afternoon. Photo by Ed Hedemann. best we can. The attack on Libya reinforces what we know: if they couldn’t afford to build the weapons they could not launch them willy-nilly around the world at the Fight Back Caroling for country of choice rther than finding some other means of dealing with conflicts. There’s the other side, too: who sold International Women’s Day weapons to Qaddafi? Near the top of the list By Mikel Komba are two countries who voted for the UN res- olution that allowed the attack on Libya: isconsin has made national “Federal proposals would deny WIC to France and Britain. Hypocrisy—and money Wheadlines lately because of our 800,000 babies and deny Headstart to —rule the day. W governor’s attack on the collec- 218,000 at risk children and reduce Pell Tax day is rolling around, and we have tive bargaining rights of unions in the state. grants $1,000 for poor college students,” many reasons to get out and shout: “No to However, demonstrators occupying the state points out Pat Gowens of the Welfare war. Not with our money.” The final day to capitol are not the only type of activism Warriors. “Politicians pretend that we file is April 18, but groups are organizing happening in Wisconsin. are in a fiscal crisis due to poverty pro- events Friday the 15th through Monday the On March 8, International Women’s Day, grams and pay or pensions for ordinary 18th or for the Global Day of Action on mothers and others joined together for the people. This is not true. Since 2001 tax- Military Spending April 12 (demilitarize.org). Mom’s Bus Tour for the Welfare of the People payers paid over $1 trillion to bomb and A sampling of tax day protests begins on page and the Planet. The purpose of our tour was to colonize Iraq and Afghanistan. That is 4 or see the growing list at nwtrcc.org. Call celebrate the Global Women’s Strike by raising causing the financial crisis.” or email to add your action: 800-269-7464, awareness about war tax resistance and [email protected]. government cuts to programs for the poor. continued on page 6

National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee • P.O. Box 150553, Brooklyn, NY 11215 • (718)768-3420 • (800)269-7464 COUNSELING NOTES

nonfiler story of “what happened when I heard New Deduction for from the IRS.” Thanks! Medicare Part B Do you pay Medicare Part B health insurance pre- Tax Liens I miums? Are you self-employed? If so, the IRS has A WTR with a tax debt called recently and said never let you take this expense as a self-employed he was told that the IRS could not levy bank health insurance expense, like the rest of us with accounts or wages unless they had a lien. This ordinary health insurance can. But now they’ve didn’t sound quite right and required a re-reading abruptly and without much fanfare changed their of the section on liens in NWTRCC’s publication, More than a minds. The instructions to Form 1040 for 2010 WTRs and the IRS. More WTRs are finding that paycheck say that self-employed people can deduct their there is a lien on their property (whether they own Medicare Part B health insurance premiums on Line property or not) filed in a county office. Often you Editor 29. IRS Publication 535, Business Expenses, still know this because you start getting postcards from Ruth Benn reflects the old rules, but it is being updated. companies looking to “help you with your tax Production problems.” Such a public lien is an option for the Rick Bickhart Nonfilers and the IRS IRS, but not a requirement in their collection Printing and Mailing Among the options for methods of war tax resist- efforts. Such liens are most known for ruining an Lakeside Printing ance is not filing with the IRS as a way to non- individual’s credit rating (see below). Cooperative, Madison, WI cooperate with the tax system that funds war. The However, if you received a “Final Notice for Printed on Recycled Paper IRS has had a priority on bringing nonfilers into Payment” from the IRS and did not respond within “the system,” and calls come into the NWTRCC 10 days, the IRS acquires an automatic lien on all of More Than a Paycheck is a office fairly frequently from longtime nonfilers who your property, a legal claim on property or proceeds bimonthly publication of the are trying to figure out how to deal with sudden from sale of property. You will not receive a piece National War Tax Resistance IRS collection actions taken after an IRS assessment. of paper telling you about an automatic lien; it Coordinating Committee, a If there is reported income (such as a 1099), IRS just is. The IRS is required to send a 30-day “Notice clearinghouse and resource computers have gotten better over the years at of Intent to Levy” before actually seizing money center for the conscientious matching that information to the lack of a 1040. and property. war tax resistance Letters and notices to the “delinquent” may follow. movement in the United Some nonfilers, because of their employment situa- States. NWTRCC is a Tax Liens II tion (wanting to stay with a job or career) decide to Included in the January annual report from the coalition of local, regional settle. Others, especially those who are not National Taxpayer Advocate Nina E. Olson (a sort of and national affiliate groups collectible, choose to ignore collection demands. independent ombudsman within the IRS) was the working on war tax We’d like to hear your stories to help us give the complaint that the IRS is overusing its enforcement related issues. best information possible to individuals who call NWTRCC sees poverty, racism, our office. Email, snail mail, or phone in your continued on next page sexism, homophobia, economic exploitation, environmental destruction and militarization of law enforcement as integrally linked with the militarism Many Thanks Network Updates which we abhor. Through the redirection of our tax dollars, NWTRCC members contribute directly to the struggle for Thanks to each individual who helps to keep Welcome! peace and justice for all. NWTRCC going through their financial or volun- New Affiliate: Washington Peace Center (DC) teer support and to the affiliate groups below for Subscriptions to recent dues payments. New counselors: Katherine Fisher (MA), Charlie More Than a Paycheck Keil (CT), and Anita LaFollette (CA) are $15 per year. Center on Conscience and War (DC) Returning contact: Bill Glassmire, Corvallis, OR NWTRCC New England War Tax Resistance (MA) NWTRCC’s list of war tax resistance counselors, PO Box 150553 Pioneer Valley War Tax Resistance (MA) area contacts, affiliates, and alternative funds is Brooklyn, NY 11215 War Resisters League (NY) (718) 768-3420 on the “Contacts and Counselors” page at (800) 269-7464 nwtrcc.org. Print versions of the Network List FAX: (718) 768-4388 Advertising rates for this newsletter can be can be requested from the NWTRCC office. email: [email protected] found at nwtrcc.org/ads.php or contact the Please let the office know if you are interested Web: www.nwtrcc.org editor at 1-800-269-7464. in joining our network. Email [email protected] or call toll free 1-800-269-7464. PAGE 2 More than a paycheck • April/May 2011 perspective WTRs Permablitz By Jason Rawn and Jesse Watson

irst articulated in 1970s Australia by Bill Permaculture is one comprehensible way to Permablitz, say, a community radio sta- FMollison and David Holmgren, Perma- to continue the process of healing self, com- tion. In that case, the yield might include not Fculture is a philosophy, practice, and munity, and planet by helping to establish just pretty flowers and tasty fruit, but also an movement for creating human environ- and strengthen interrelated systems. Using opportunity for in-depth local news cover- ments that are ecologically sound and Permaculture design principles and tech- age. Anyone know anyone at CNN? M economically viable. Permaculture systems niques has an immediately tangible healing are sustainable because they provide for effect on the participants, the soil, the local Jason Rawn is a graduate of the Jack Kerouac their own interrelated needs and do not ecosystem, and the planet. Toward this end, School of Disembodied Poetics at Naropa exploit or pollute. (For simplicity’s sake, we a Permablitz is a community-building event University. He can be reached at rawnjason@ might say that “doing Permaculture” is akin modeled after the Amish barn-raising tradi- gmail.com. Jesse Watson is a certified perma- to “creating edible landscapes.”) tion. A crew of friends and volunteers culture designer providing design/build and Similarly, WTRs understand all too well descend on a site to give it a Permaculture consultation services in Midcoast Maine. He can that war, poverty, environmental degrada- makeover. Food, drink, hard work, and mer- be reached at midcoastpermaculture.com. tion, and the interrelated systems (economic, riment ensue. political, cultural, etc.) that tend to produce The first Permablitz took place in Other Resources: them are neither viable nor sustainable. As Melbourne, Australia, in 2006, but Perma- permablitz.net – introduction, how-to, Jeff Knaebel writes in “Some Thoughts On blitzes have now taken place around the etc. They respond to e-mails! Civil Disobedience: My Duties and world. Maine’s first Permablitz was organized Youtube.com – See also the Perma- Responsibilities,” printed in We Won’t Pay! A and carried out by Portland Maine Perma- science channel (youtube.com/user/ Tax Resistance Reader, “In 1981, fifty-three culture. This event was partly funded by permascience) Nobel Prize winners warned of an unprece- redirected “tax obligations,” and now we dented holocaust, encompassing the horrors (cross-pollinated WTRs and Permaculture- meetup.com/portlandpermaculture – of mass exterminations and extending the people) are looking to accomplish at least overview, upcoming events, photos of frontiers of barbarism and death. In 1980, three Permablitzes in Maine in 2011. We’d Maine’s first Permablitz, contact info while tens of millions of people were on the also like to encourage and facilitate cross- Food Not Lawns by Heather Flores – verge of starvation, the global war machine pollination between WTR groups and super book for those looking to grow engaging 60 million people was squandering Permaculture groups everywhere. And gardens and movements nearly a million dollars per minute towards there’s plenty of room for interested third Gaia’s Garden by Toby Hemenway – our universal extermination. Today the level parties, so we might see a WTR group offer- practical, hands-on, home-scale guide of violence is even higher. It is incomprehen- ing funding to a Permaculture group in order sible.” No kidding.

potential to render someone unemployable, Many war tax resisters have liens filed Counseling Notes unable to obtain housing (owned or rented), against them and stories vary from the lien continued from previous page and unable to obtain car insurance or a cred- having no effect, to some who fear they techniques of filing liens in ways that are it card, at least at reasonable rates, for many didn’t get a job interview because of a bad cruel and, even from the perspective of gov- years into the future,” Olson said. In the cur- credit rating, to others who found they could ernment revenue, counterproductive. Since rent economy this can inflict long-term harm, buy a home despite the lien, to others who 1999, the number of public liens the IRS has making it harder for an individual to get back could not get a loan. filed each year has increased by 550%, but on their feet. Since data shows no meaningful Perhaps it’s a good time to note that the amount of revenue collected has not revenue gain from many liens, Olson says, “I hoping to hold onto large assets while carry- increased at all. find it unacceptable that the IRS continues to ing a WTR-related tax debt is problematic. Lien filings are picked up by the three cred- torment financially struggling taxpayers in Thus it is also a good time to refocus on why it rating agencies and remain on the taxpay- this way.” The IRS says that it is implement- one gets into tax refusal in the first place and er’s credit report for seven years from the date ing new processes, including raising the tax- to sort through personal priorities. M a tax liability is resolved, or longer if it is not debt threshold at which the agency decides to resolved. “Increasingly, employers, mortgage file a lien, making it easier for compliant tax- Thanks to Dave Gross for contributions to lenders, landlords, car dealerships, auto payers to have their liens lifted, and making it this section. Check out his blog for continuous insurance companies, and credit card issuers easier to enter into installment agreements musings and news related to tax resistance: utilize credit reports, so a tax lien has the and offers in compromise. sniggle.net/Experiment. More than a paycheck • April/May 2011 PAGE 3 WTR Ideas and Actions

Tax Day Protests PENNSYLVANIA continued from page 1 Lancaster 1040 for Peace, penny polls in the Central Market, Friday, April 15, and COLORADO Saturday, April 16. Contact (717) 859-3388 or Boulder War Tax Information Project, (303) see 1040forpeace.org. 499-9456, leafleting between now and tax day middays on the downtown mall. VERMONT Vigil, leafleting, music, Brattleboro Post ILLINOIS Office, 10 am to 2 pm, April 18. Contact Evanston Neighbors for Peace and the [email protected] or (802) 387-2798. North Shore Coalition for Peace, Justice, Burlington National Anarchists, leafleting, and the Environment, leafleting, Monday, Burlington Post Office, April 18. Contact April 18, 8 am to 6 pm, Evanston Post Office, (802) 503-6319. Davis at Oak. Contact [email protected] or (847) 644-2281. WASHINGTON Nonviolent Action Community of Cascadia INDIANA (NACC), leafleting, April 18, Noon to 1 pm, Michiana War Tax Refusers, leafleting and downtown Seattle post office, 3rd and Union, bean poll, downtown South Bend over the and 5 pm to 6 pm, Capitol Hill post office, noon hour, April 18. Contact (574) 289-2126 Broadway and Denny. Other locations to be or [email protected]. arranged. Contact NACC at (206) 324-8963. Western Washington Fellowship of IOWA Reconciliation (WWFOR) and Bring Our Billion$ Home campaign, leafleting and other Dubuque Citizens’ Tax Moratorium, vigil creative activities in Seattle and elsewhere. and leafleting, Federal Building, 6th and Colorado Springs 2010 tax day. Top photo by Contact (206) 789-5565 or [email protected] Locust, Friday, April 15 and Monday, April Genie Durland. Bottom photo by Donna Johnson. or see wwfor.org. 18, 6 pm to 8 pm, and every Monday Meet this April 18 at 4:30 at the post office. between now and April 15 from 4 pm to 5 WISCONSIN pm. Contact (563) 583-2586. NEW YORK Milwaukee War Tax Resistance, Tax Day KENTUCKY NYC People’s Life Fund granting ceremony, Protest at the Federal Courthouse, 517 East Wisconsin Avenue, April 18, Noon to 1 pm. Louisville Fellowship of Reconciliation, April 18, Noon, Manhattan IRS, 110 W. 44th Contact Casa Maria Catholic Worker at (414) leafleting and street theatre, 5th and Market Street. NYC WRL and WTRs gather at 4 pm 344-5745 or email [email protected]. M Street, April 18. Contact: edwardsfor@bell at Manhattan IRS office and march to the south.net or (502) 458-8056. main post office at 34th and 8th Avenue. Contact [email protected] or (718) 768-7306. Peace Pie Party LOUISIANA The Peace and Social Action Committee of NORTH CAROLINA Pax Christi New Orleans, leafleting, main the Palo Alto (CA) Friends Meeting hosted a Post Office, April 15, 4 pm to 7 pm. Contact Central NC — Plans are in formation. Pie Party on March 6. Different pies were (504) 522-3751 or [email protected]. Contact danielwoodham@ yahoo.com. served including lemon custard, banana cream, apple, blueberry, pumpkin, and MAINE OHIO others—all delicious and most homemade —happily enjoyed by about 60 attenders. Northeast Ohio Anti-War Coalition (NOAC) Maine War Tax Resistance Resource Center Pies were sliced with a template following offers a war tax resistance workshop on and other groups, leafleting across the state in the U.S. federal budget pie chart of the War Saturday, April 16, during the forum at Save towns including Bangor, Belfast, Bath/ Resisters League. As pie eaters requested a Our Communities. Contact NOAC at (216) Woolwich, Brunswick/Bath, Damariscotta- slice, they were asked to identify their favorite 736-4716 or noacinfo.org. Nobleboro, Farmington, Portland, Seacoast government program or priority. If they were NH/Maine, Skowhegan/Waterville, Augusta, unhappy with a small slice, they were asked if and Rockland. For more information and OREGON they’d like to take a portion out of the military local contacts call the Resource Center at WRL of Portland, redirection ceremony with budget. Everybody wanted more pie! (207) 525-7776 or [email protected]. showing of Death and Taxes, First Unitarian We also took a Penny Poll, and 26 pollers Church, 1011 SW 13th St., Friday, April 15, allocated 49% of their pennies (AKA tax 5:30 to 7:30. Contact [email protected] or dollars) to human resources and only 5% to (503) 249-6343. current military. PAGE 4 More than a paycheck • April/May 2011 resources

Queries for Friends Regarding War Taxes, Military Spending Information and Campaigns prepared by Quarterly Meeting war tax resisters, were read in the last minutes of War Resisters League — warresisters.org meeting for worship before the Party. National Priorities Project — nationalpriorities.org “Pay Under Protest” leaflets, the WRL Pie Friends Committee on National Legislation — fcnl.org/budget Charts, and other WTR materials were hand- Our Taxes Are Off to War, 2011Edition (Feb. 23) — ed out. The Party generated lots of good dis- cussion, and we were asked to host another dailykos.com/blog/RandomNonviolence Pie Party next year as an “annual” event. Let’s New Priorities Network — newprioritiesnetwork.org hope next year we won’t have to do this. True Cost of War — mfso.org —Ed and Janet Hale Healthcare Not Warfare — pdamerica.org/get-active/healthcare-not-warfare-campaign CODE PINK: Bring Our War $$ Home — codepink.org Campaign to Bring Our War $$ Home — bringourwardollarshome.org Bring the $Billion$ Home — wwfor.org Peace Economy Project — peaceeconomyproject.org 25 Percent Solution — 25percentsolution.com Campaign for Smart Security — smartsecuritypa.org 25 Teachers’ Salaries — 25teacherssalaries.org Our Funds — ourfunds.org War is a Crime — defundwar.org Are You Ready for Tax Day? I Death and Taxes DVD, 30 minutes. Sliding scale, $10-$20 each postpaid. I “Thoreau and his Heirs: The History and Legacy of Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience.” Teaching Kit, $30 postpaid. (Includes DVD, Photo courtesy of Ed and Janet Hale. Thoreau’s essay, questions for students, and select list of historic civil disobedience actions). Legacies of Resistance I Brochures, 20¢ each: “Our Tax Money Our Choice”; “Why Isn’t Everyone Who’s Jeff Knaebel, an American entrepreneur and For Peace A War Tax Resister? Answers to Common Questions”; “Refusing the war veteran who turned into a pacifist, vol- Federal Telephone Tax; Are You Praying for Peace But Still Paying for War? untaryist, Gandhian, and expatriate to India, A Christian Perspective.” is dead. In 2009 he destroyed his U.S. pass- I Flyer: “Where Your Income Tax Money Really Goes” Pie chart flyer port and applied for political asylum, saying he had been coerced to pay taxes, which are 10¢ each for orders of 200 or fewer (WRL handles larger orders: 339 Lafayette St., then employed in bloody wars of aggression NY, NY10012, 212-228-0450). and coercive international economic prac- I Book: War Tax Resistance: A Guide to Withholding Your Support from tices. Those practices exploit weaker peoples the Military, 144 page book with 2010 update. $15 each plus $5 first class postage whose lives, cultures, and ecologies are (call for bulk rates). destroyed in the process. “I was not permitted to withdraw from citizenship and the con- I Practical War Tax Resistance Series booklets, (#1-3, 75¢ each; #4-7, $1each) – comitant complicity in mass murder which #1: Controlling Withholding; #2: To File Or Not To File; #3: How To Resist Collection; U.S. citizenship entailed.” #4: Self-Employment; #5: Low Income/Simple Living; #6: Organizational Resistance; Knaebel found the Indian government to #7: Aging and War Tax Resistance. be unsympathetic to his hopes for political I asylum and his wish to live in a condition of “War Tax Resistance At A Glance” (booklet) $1.50 each. Statelessness. He took his own life by self- Please add a contribution for postage costs. Affiliates take 20% off total cost of literature. immolation on January 26. “I did not stay put See the NWTRCC website for all of our publications and to order online: and apply for Indian citizenship as the Court ordered. The authorities have begun looking nwtrcc.org/publications.php to arrest me because I did not follow their continued on page 7 More than a paycheck • April/May 2011 PAGE 5 nwtrcc news

Please Join Us for the Next NWTRCC Gathering: “Social Justice Networking for Sustained Resistance” Hosted by Northern California War Tax Resistance, Sonoma County Taxes for Peace, and NWTRCC May 6 – Berkeley Friends Church, Berkeley, CA · Dinner and WTR organizing discussion May 7 – Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, Oakland, CA 9-5: Mini-conference with presentations including Michael Eisenscher on the New Priorities Project, homebrewing skills share, walk-around-the-lake small-groups discussion, dip-your-toes-in tax protest, teaching Thoreau, confrontational war tax resistance, basic “how to resist” workshop, He’s been called one of the and more! greatest criminal defense lawyers of the 20th century. Evening: “Tales of Resistance and Doing Time” with J. Tony Serra, plus the annual People’s Life He’s also only one of two Fund Granting Ceremony, and more! war tax resisters since May 8 – NWTRCC Business Meeting, Berkeley CoHousing – all welcome! World War II to have been jailed for “willful failure War Tax Resistance gatherings offer a mix of presentations, open discussions, organizing topics, to pay” federal income taxes. and time to ask personal war tax resistance questions. Activist lawyer J. Tony Serra will speak during the See nwtrcc.org/gatheringMay2011.php for more information Saturday night program. or contact the NWTRCC office at (800) 269-7464 for details and a registration form. Photo by Ed Hedemann.

Caroling The group’s self appointed cheerleader, military,” shared Roberta Thurstin. continued from page 1 Mary-Alice Martinez, bellowed out to the While our bus tour wasn’t as intense as crowd “This is the way to protest! Don’t thousands of union organizers occupying The first stop on the bus tour was a pay your federal taxes!” our state capitol, it was definitely worth it, After all the excitement, we went back and we are all giddy with excitement for next for-profit tax preparation office. There we M began to sing our antiwar songs to the to the Mother’s Organizing Center. “We need year’s action. perplexed pedestrians and handed out to take care of human needs. I have been flyers encouraging war tax resistance to the a war tax resister for many years. They talk Mikel Komba is a live-in worker at Casa Maria entertained taxpayers. Our first song (to the of these government cuts. They never Catholic Worker and member of the Milwaukee tune of “America the Beautiful”) was inspired talk about money going towards the War Tax Resistance. by this very business and their numerous U.S. flags calling attention to the building: America America / The country we adore / It’s time to pay our taxes for / Our endless wars and gore America, Let’s put an end / To pay for wealthy wars / So save your bucks and / Say ‘no more’ to war forevermore Next we proceeded to the Bradley Foundation, a right-wing think tank that not only funded our anti-union governor, but also helped start Wisconsin’s failed welfare to work program. Mary Laan led a chant about stopping the war on moms and kids, while Barbara Brown pointed out that college money appointed for veterans, like herself, is now at risk of being taken away. Our final stop was the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services office to bring the message to the people who truly feel the effect of our ever increasing budget cuts. With our flyers and singing, we Mom’s Bus Tour in front of the tax service office in Milwaukee. (l to r) Pat Gowens with bullhorn, Mary-Alice tried to draw connections between our cur- Martines (light jacket), representative from Veterans United for Community Service, and Roberta Thurstin. rent wars and our state’s drastic budget cuts. Photo by Mikel Komba.

PAGE 6 More than a paycheck • April/May 2011 WTR Ideas and Actions continued from page 5 alternative funds orders. If apprehended and interrogated, my truthful answers will land me in jail. I have Happy Birthdays! chosen death under the open sky rather that ongratulations on 40 years of support Jon, “despite the fact that about 18 members the living death of imprisonment or any Cto war tax resisters and grants for the had to close their accounts since 2004 due to other form of enslavement by Power.” betterment of humanity to the New collections and the economy.” He leaves behind his writings at Jeff York City and Northern California People’s New York City People’s Life Fund (NYC- Knaebel.org and on other websites. Life Funds. Both were both founded in 1971. PLF) is looking forward to giving five $1,000 —David Gross How impressive that these funds have sur- grants this April. Over the years they have sup- Anna Aschenbach, who had been a simple vived all these years despite the ups and ported social service groups, innovative the- living war tax resister for many years (her downs in the strength of the war tax resist- atre and arts projects, small food coops, and anti-war activism went back to the second peace groups at public granting ceremonies in World War), died in January in New Haven, ance movement in general! Connecticut. She suffered a stroke at the cer- What does this mean in terms of redirec- front of the Manhattan IRS. The fund was not emony at which she was being awarded the tion? Neither fund has the figures at hand able to give grants in 2010, but redirected Dr. Alice Hamilton Peace and Freedom for 40 years of grants, but between them it’s $4,000 in 2009. NYCPLF holds annual meet- Award from the Women’s International in the range of a half million dollars. The ings, and a core group of members keep the League for Peace and Freedom. The granting funds are generated from interest off fund going year after year. Progressive Action Roundtable-New Haven redirected war taxes held by the funds, so New England War Tax Resistance might said in their tribute: “She had a vibrant intel- congratulations also to all of those refusers have the oldest fund, founded in 1968 and lect, was a passionate peace activist, a who have pooled their money into these still active. They gave out $4,750 of refused staunch war tax resister and a fierce believer funds over the years. taxes in 2010. WTRs in Eugene, Oregon, in justice, civil rights and the possibility for a better world. She would often remind us that Last year NCPLF had a banner year, grant- haven’t set up a fund, but each year they join we all bear the responsibility to help bring ing about $20,000 to local, regional, and together and announce their redirections that better world into being.” national groups including Asian Pacific publicly as a group. In 2010 they gave —David Gross Islander Youth Promoting Advocacy and $4,246 to 30 groups! Muriel Stackley, who touched many lives as a Leadership, Bay Area Community Land Look at nwtrcc.org/redirection.php for a list writer, editor, pastor, theologian, peacemaker Trust, Courage to Resist, Haiti Action of funds around the country or under the and poet, died of cancer Jan. 29. She was 73. Committee, Faithful Fools Street Ministry, War Tax Resistance/Redirection buttons on She witnessed for peace through her writing, Phat Beets Produce (and food justice), the NWTRCC home page, or call the office speaking and lifestyle. After her children were Prisoners Literature Project, and Tri Valley for a printed list (free). If you are interested grown, she downsized her living space, giving Communities Against a Radioactive Environ- in how to set up a fund, order the Alternative away possessions and eventually living in an ment. About five activists have managed the Fund Resource Packet ($2 postpaid). M efficiency apartment. She resisted paying for fund over the past decade, and Jon war by living with a below-taxable income. In a farewell message, she asked her friends and Marley, one of the managers, family to continue her work for peace and to reports that there are about 45 “sing out daily with the joy of one who appre- active members and 87 other ciates the smallest details and feels powerful depositers who are inactive. “I enough to do battle with giants.” think that has helped us make it —Susan Balzer from the through the last few years,” says Mennonite Weekly Review, February 7, 2011 Paid Advertisement

Profile The IRS has come and gone throughout money or want to set up accounts. I have continued from back page this journey. They tried to collect early on been getting letters from the IRS for the last but we were actually living below the taxable two or three years; I ignore correspondence The IRS has not collected any money from level. I was involved in a protest action in the from them. me in all these years. I attribute this to three early ‘80s at the time the frivolous penalty Being a WTRer has been an overwhelm- factors: not filing federal tax returns, earning was first introduced. Several of us sent in a ingly positive experience—not that it isn’t a money in ways that make it hard for IRS to tax return everyday or once a week basically pain in the butt sometimes. I love the collect, and not having bank accounts and inviting them to levy the $500* frivolous WTR community; local, national, and inter- property that is very accessible. I am a non- penalties, interest, and fees. I was pursued national. I am very happy with the way filer because I didn’t want to announce vigorously for about 10 years. If I had a job resisting has directed my life and in ways I myself on their terms with their forms. I am from which they could have garnished wages couldn’t see when this journey started. I very public about my resistance and have or a bank account to levy this would have invite you to jump on board if you aren’t on been active on and off for all these years in been done. I have had an IRS lien for many board already. M WTR issues. years. This is mainly a problem if you borrow *raised to $5,000 in 2007 More than a paycheck • April/May 2011 PAGE 7 Profile Jump On Board By Rod Nippert

am 61 years young. I live in an intentional money. I had no idea how profoundly this Icommunity in southeastern Ohio. I have decision would influence my life. Ibeen a war tax resister (WTR) since the I decided not to file tax returns. I reasoned early 1970s. I believe being a WTRer has this would make it harder to track me down profoundly affected my adult life. and harder for them to make an assessment I do not feel that I am in any way unique- of what I owed. I realized this would extend ly suited to be a tax resister. I grew up in a the time of liability and increase the amount small conservative farming community in IRS might collect, but deciding to become a central Ohio in a farming family. I was in WTR does have possible consequences both high school as the Vietnam War was unfold- positive and negative. I did not want my ing. I also grew up as member of the Church wages garnished so I decided I needed to be of the Brethren. I think these circumstances self-employed. IRS could levy bank accounts greatly influenced the road I took. or auction off property. I opened a business I am a pacifist and attribute this to the account, with a friend as the primary signer Linda and Rod Nippert influence of the Church of the Brethren. The and was then able to get a credit card, which Vietnam War made the military draft signifi- has been very helpful. I reduced the amount adult. I attribute this largely to my decision cant in my life. I was a conscientious objec- of property I owned and put my truck in my to not pay my federal taxes and to work hard tor and eventually turned in my draft card. wife’s name after she stopped resisting. to not let the IRS collect this tax money. I As soon as I started making enough money I have been a fruit picker, woodworker, have always donated that tax money to help- to pay taxes I could see the glaring contra- builder, stained glass craftsperson, and organ- ing change the world and to relieving suffer- diction of working to end war, being a paci- ic farmer. I presently raise organic red rasp- ing. I live in the woods and hills of southern fist, and paying federal taxes—especially berries for fresh sell and make stained glass Ohio in an owner-built home, heated with since more than half of those taxes went for with the owner of a small stained glass shop. wood, and energized by solar panels and the military expenditures. I am now living a much simpler lifestyle healing vibes of mother nature. About this time I became involved in a than I would ever have imagined as a young continued on page 7 national group, Peacemakers, which strongly supported WTR. I believe that having a sup- port group, whether local or national, is crit- ical to having a positive experience with NWTRCC resisting taxes. It certainly has been for me. P.O. Box 150553 Being a war tax resister is not widely accept- Brooklyn, NY11215 ed or admired so having like-minded people (800) 269-7464 as support is good. (718) 768-3420 I married Linda in 1970. We have always discussed and shared in the decisions around our (my) tax resistance. We were both war tax resisters until the mid-’80s when Linda stopped, so I just speak for myself in the article. Once I decided to not pay war taxes I had Please Note: other decisions to make; what percentage to If there is a red circle pay or not pay and whether it was important around your address to actually keep the government from getting label, this is the last this tax money. issue of More Than a It was clear that over half of any taxes I Paycheck on your paid would go for military expenditures, so I subscription. Send in determined not to pay any. It also became a renewal ASAP! clear, after much talking, thinking, and read- ing, that it was important to actively work to keep the IRS from collecting any of this tax