More than a paycheck NEWS FROM THE WAR TAX RESISTANCE MOVEMENT October 2008 Taxes for Peace Not War! International Conference Report by Ruth Benn

haps also the high cost of travel now. In addi- bringing a formal human rights complaint tion, registrants from Ghana and Palestine to a UN body. In Germany a newly formed were refused visas, which may be a growing group of 10 people plan to take a complaint problem for potential participants. to a German high court based on the 2009 Our host was Conscience: The Peace Tax budget being a violation of fundamental Campaign and included the visible partici- rights because of the military spending. pation of some of the Peace Tax Seven, a The Germans want to get away from group of UK citizens who are going to the appealing through the tax system so instead European Court of Human Rights to claim are trying this direct route to the officials the right for conscientious objectors to have who create the budget. In Norway peace weekend spent with people who do the military part of their taxes diverted to a tax fund campaigners take their appeal to Anot want to pay for war and killing peace fund. As is generally the case with local councils; if the council accepts the is always time well spent. With con- these conferences, there is a heavy focus on complaint as an “initiative of national stant news of the disastrous invasion of Iraq legislative and legal efforts. Daniel Jenkins interest” then the council can send it to and the rising body count of civilians in from the U.S. reported on the process of the next level of government. Afghanistan, it is encouraging to be sur- continued on page 6 rounded by people who resist the status quo. NWTRCC gatherings in the U.S. offer this kind of support, but learning first-hand about the pockets of resistance around the world is especially heartening. I was lucky enough to attend the 12th International Conference on War Tax Resistance and Peace Tax Campaigns, held at Manchester College in Manchester, England, September 5–7. Fifteen countries (Nepal, Japan, Canada, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Spain, Colombia, U.S., Germany, Italy, Belgium, Britain, Switzerland, Ukraine) were represented by the 60 or so people in atten- dance. NWTRCC has sent a representative to each of these conferences, which have been held every other year since 1986. Glancing through some of the past reports, Julian Ovalle from the group Acción Colectiva de the turnout for this conference appears Objetores y Objetoras de Conciencia in Colombia lower than others, certainly reflecting the spoke to the conference about the militarized culture War bonds poster in the Imperial War Museum lack of growth in our movement, but per- and resistance work in his country. North, Manchester, England. Photos by Ed Hedemann.

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

information required for the IRS to assess the tax, Frivolous – Again but it is a scary letter. Please contact NWTRCC “Dear Taxpayer: This letter serves to inform you of with your experiences. the potential consequences of the position you have taken and to offer you an opportunity to correct your submission within 30 days from the date of this let- Contractor vs. Employee The IRS has issued an August 2008 version of ter…Internal Revenue Code Section 6702 imposes a Publication 1779, Independent Contractor or $5,000 penalty for the filing of a frivolous tax return or Employee. The publication reviews the tax ramifica- purported tax return. We are proposing a $5,000 penal- tions of being classified as either an independent ty per return based on your filing of a frivolous tax contractor or employee and is on the IRS website at More than a return(s) or purported tax return(s).” www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1779.pdf. This text is quoted from Letter 3176 (SC) (Rev. 7- paycheck Source: Thomson Reuters 2007), a letter with which some readers may be Editor Ruth Benn familiar. Two people who contacted NWTRCC received this letter. Each had filed a normal return Picture Your Possessions… Production The IRS plans to start issuing cell phones and paid part of the taxes shown due; they enclosed Rick Bickhart equipped with digital cameras to their field agents a letter stating their reasons of conscience for refus- to improve the “productivity of revenue officers in Printing ing to pay the total shown. In both cases there was Lakeside Printing determining asset valuation,” according to a nothing improper (per IRS standards) about the Cooperative Government Accountability Office report. way the return was completed. It appears that the Source: www.gao.gov/new.items/d08728.pdf Printed on Recycled Paper IRS’s “frivolous office” in Ogden, Utah, is improper- More Than a Paycheck is a ly sending this letter to resisters who have filed their return to the best of their knowledge with no extra- Hidden in the Housing Bill bimonthly publication of the When Congress passed its housing bill last sum- neous deductions or credits. The regulation clearly National War Tax Resistance mer, they slipped in some tax provisions. One of refers to a “frivolous tax return.” An enclosed letter, Coordinating Committee, a these requires online payment enablers like the pop- just because it shows what the IRS considers a “friv- clearinghouse and resource ular PayPal service to issue Form-1099 reports to the center for the conscientious olous” position, should not generate threats of the IRS for anyone who receives $20,000 or more war tax resistance $5,000 penalty. through their service. Before this, online vendors like movement in the United Individuals who receive this letter can call the eBay sellers could be part of the “underground States. NWTRCC is a Utah office and explain that their return is valid economy,” and if the IRS got suspicious, they would coalition of local, regional and must be accepted as it was filed. Thus far we have to conduct an audit or get a subpoena to learn and national affiliate groups have not heard of any resisters who have had the about the income. working on war tax $5,000 penalty imposed if their form included the related issues. continues on page 5 NWTRCC sees poverty, racism, sexism, homophobia, economic exploitation, environmental destruction and militarization of Many Thanks Network Updates law enforcement as integrally linked with the militarism which we abhor. Through the We are grateful for recent contributions and dues Thanks to all who responded so far to the redirection of our tax dollars, payments from: NWTRCC members contribute network mailing and returning the postcard Heartland Peace Tax Fund (KS) directly to the struggle for Pioneer Valley War Tax Resistance (MA) (or the information) to update our Network List. peace and justice for all. Michiana War Tax Rufusers (IN) If you have not responded yet, please do. Sonoma County Taxes for Peace (CA) Subscriptions to All updates will appear on the website by mid- More Than a Paycheck and the Oregon Community for War Tax Resisters are $15 per year. (Portland) for their special appeal October. Print versions of the Network List are NWTRCC to members to help raise funds for the video project available on request from the NWTRCC office, and international travel. PO Box 150553 and regional listings are also mailed to Brooklyn, NY 11215 and to each of you who made a contribution to bring (718) 768-3420 a representative from Palestine to the international individuals who contact us for more information. conference (page 1). We are sorry to report that our (800) 269-7464 Contact the NWTRCC office if you would like a FAX: (718) 768-4388 traveler could not get a visa, so we may set aside these funds for the next meeting in 2010. email: [email protected] print version of the list, 1-800-269-7464. Web: www.nwtrcc.org Note: Apologies to Canadian resister Joshua Goldberg for neglecting to ask permission before printing parts of his letter in the last issue. Keep up with news from our friends in Canada at www.consciencecanada.ca. PAGE 2 More than a paycheck • October 2008 book reviews

the rights and privileges of citizenship.” challenging question of whether people of An Uncommon Path: 2,000 Women’s voices are here too, adamant as conscience should pay for war. Years of Tax Resistance members of the Women’s Tax Resistance When David was assembling his first vol- League, a tactic that Beatrice Harraden called ume, We Won’t Pay: A Tax Resistance Reader, Reviewed by Clare Hanrahan “the most logical phase of the fight for suf- covering tax resistance of many kinds, he We Won’t Pay! A Tax Resistance Reader frage. …a culmination of the Government’s envisaged this Quaker collection as a small Edited by David M. Gross injustice and stupidity to ask that we pay an spin-off. But the material he found could “…the great sum required is made up of income tax on income earned by brains, barely be squeezed into a 466-page book. littles; and if all those littles are withheld, the when they are refusing to consider us eligible The first Quaker case reported dates from effusion of human blood may be at an end.” to vote.” In more recent times, Caroline Urie 1666. The collection shows dramatically —James Mott, 16th century Quaker wrote to President Truman: “I’ll never pay any how American Quakers have labored ever who refused payment of postage taxes used more money for war,” and Juanita Nelson since with questions about what stand to to support the Revolutionary War whose belief “that it is more important to do take, what portion of one’s taxes to pay, what is right than what is lawful or expedi- whether to break the law of the land, how ent,” led her to jail in her Sears-Roebuck much to suffer for the sake of conscience. bathrobe for declining to pay the tax. Individuals expressed opinions for and There are pacifists and anarchists, libertar- against every nuance in letters and tracts. ians and constitutionalists who demand that Local and regional bodies of Friends record- “this monstrous, wholesale robbery of the ed “minutes” stating their group consensus American people come to an end.” Also in on these matters—and that consensus the book are the naysaying voices of those changed as the years passed. who would counsel obedience to govern- For 350 years, the debates have been the ment, regardless of the outcome. Gross same. People struggling with this moral issue includes these voices so that today’s tax today will be guided by the writings in this resisters might learn something from the book and may find some wonderful language arguments of our critics. to use in their own statements of conscience “Why am I to hand over the fruits of my before the IRS and the U.S. courts. labours to them in the shape of taxes, know- Himself a resister (but not a Quaker), ing that the money will be spent on the sup- David Gross has produced a straightforward port of officials, prisons, churches, armies, and compelling book. ▼ We Won’t Pay! A Tax Resistance Reader, is on things that are harmful, and on my own Elizabeth Boardman is a Quaker war tax resister both daunting and encouraging and well enslavement?” writer Leo Tolstoy asks. in San Francisco. worth the considerable reading time. It cap- Kat Kanning, arrested for holding a sign tures in one indexed volume many individ- “Taxes pay for torture,” at the IRS office in ual acts and campaigns of conscientious Keene, New Hampshire writes: “It is impera- objection to war and of revenue refusal to tive that we each do what we can, alone if tyrannical governments. need be. Each person can evaluate their lives: The book begins with the Zealots in the Am I aiding this atrocity? Am I funding tor- time of Jesus, then takes the reader to ture? Am I funding wars of aggression? American Quakers “under the scruple” and Should I be paying taxes for these things?” ▼ willing to “suffer patiently the distress of Clare Hanrahan is a writer and active with goods, rather than pay actively,” to the Asheville (NC) Area WTR. Regulators of North Carolina who refused to comply with the “extortionate demands of unlawful tax gatherers.” Gross has collected the sincere voices and Quakers on the challenging arguments of men and women Tax Dilemma throughout history. Included are voices famil- iar to us all, such as Thoreau and Gandhi, Reviewed by Elizabeth Boardman Peace Pilgrim and Ammon Hennacy, along American Quaker War Tax Resistance with the less well-known ones, such as Paul from the 17th through the 19th Century Both books are available online: Quakers Cuffe, the first citizen of African descent on Edited by David Gross (www.createspace.com/3347562) $25.00; Won’t record to make a successful appeal in behalf of Pay (www.createspace.com/3339658) $29.00. his civil rights. Cuffe, a navigator and philan- Even Quaker war tax resisters in his own To order by mail, send a check for the cost of thropist during the time of the Revolutionary San Francisco Bay circles had no idea David the book plus $4.23 postage per book to the War, refused to pay a personal tax “on the Gross was putting together this compilation author: David Gross, 718 Clement St. #3, San grounds that free colored people did not enjoy of 167 intelligent and intense writings on the Francisco CA 94118

More than a paycheck • October 2008 PAGE 3 WTR Ideas and Actions Farmer Against War Telling Our Stories New Interest in WTR Ohio farmer “Bushel Bob” Williams is fed up New England Regional Gathering of War On September 9, I was invited to speak to with the government making a profit on his Tax Resisters and Supporters Broome County Peace Action in Binghamton hard work so that it can buy more “bombs and November 14–16, 2008 , New York , about war tax resistance. I’ve bullets.” He’d rather give his produce away The New School, Kennebunk, Maine been resisting and redirecting war taxes for than make a profit Washington can leech. The annual New England Regional about 20 years and recently became a WTR So that’s what he’s going to do. He told the Gatherings of War Tax Resisters provide an counselor after attending a NWTRCC work- Chronicle-Telegram, “I was filling out my opportunity to be with people who are shop with Ruth Benn and Ed Hedemann . Schedule C and I realized this farm money searching for ways to noncooperate with mil- About 35 members of Broome County Peace was buying bombs and bullets,” Williams itary violence. These Gatherings are for both Action participated in the discussion, which said. “It’s bad enough they get money out of (potential) new and experienced war tax included exploring both what people find me at the gas pump.... I thought, ‘This is ter- resisters as well as those just testing the inspirational about war tax resistance and rible, I don’t want to open. Why should I waters. They are a time for renewal and sup- what makes people uncomfortable about make this extra money?’” port, a time to share and reflect on our values doing it. Williams said that he’s going to donate his and reaffirm our community of resistance. The group identified the importance of liv- produce to a local nonprofit charity this year At this year’s Gathering the Friday evening ing more congruently to your values and rather than make any more taxable profit. session, which is open to those who are not beliefs as a primary inspiration, as well as tak- Source: Chronicle Telegram, Elyria, Ohio, August planning to participate in the rest of the week- ing personal responsibility for withholding 13, 2008, www.chroniclet.com/2008/08/13/farmer- end, will feature a panel presentation by a money from the war machine. This type of donates-produce-to-protest-war_122/ diverse group of WTRs entitled, “Telling Our action in turn could diminish the sense of Stories: Personal Experiences with War Tax powerlessness so often felt by peace activists. Writer Against War Resistance,” followed by questions and The importance of doing war tax resistance in “The past two years, in the spring of each answers. Saturday’s session will include facilitat- the context of a community of activists was year, I took a book tour. In the spring of 2007 ed, small-group discussions designed to allow stressed. War tax resistance could be another I went east to promote The American Dream. all of us, newcomers and “old hands” alike, to part along a “continuum of action” carried out This past spring I went west to talk about “tell our stories,” ask our questions, talk about by the community. Individual resisters could Iowa Terror and The Cost of Freedom. our fears and uncertainties, and share our per- be supported at all stages and levels of resist- Each year, before I left, I sent in a letter to sonal breakthroughs and rewards. ance, and the managing and gifting of alterna- the IRS, since it was also tax time: The cost for the weekend is $5–50 (what- tive funds could present more opportunities Internal Revenue Service ever you can pay, actual cost about to celebrate in a concrete fashion our desire Sioux City, Iowa 51106 $35–40/person). For a brochure, registration andvision of a more peaceful world. Hello. information, or further details, contact David Schenck lives in Prattsburgh, NY. His Enclosed is my tax form for this year. Stephen Soucy, PO Box 5510, Ellsworth, ME interest in WTR was fueled by Bill Ramsey and It is crossed-out because I do not wish to coop- 04605, [email protected], or call Larry others in the St. Louis Covenant Community of erate with the government of George W. Bush. Dansinger, (207) 525-7776. War Tax Resisters. President Bush has chosen to spend our tax dollars on war and killing while cutting spending on social programs. As a Christian, I cannot go along with this. New President, Same Priorities? I must protest. Sincerely, Mike Palecek, Sheldon, Iowa War Resistance After Election Day (March 2008) This week I received a letter from the IRS November 7–9, 2008 · Friends Meeting House, Eugene, Oregon saying that unless I reverse my position, they Kathy Kelly, co-founder of Voices for Creative Nonviolence, joins other war tax will impose on me a $5,000 fine for resisters from around the country for a 2-day mini-conference before NWTRCC’s frivolous filing. “... this letter serves to inform you of the poten- Sunday Coordinating Committee meeting. On Saturday night Kathy will speak on tial consequence of the position you have taken “Courage for Peace, Not For War” at the University of Oregon. This gathering is and to offer you an opportunity to correct your hosted by Eugene Taxes for Peace Not War! and NWTRCC. The program is open submission within thirty days.” to everyone with an interest in war tax resistance, and you can come for the Well, I can’t do that. whole weekend or one session to hear stories of resistance, strategize with I believe we are living under a criminal gov- activists, and find out how to stop paying for war. ernment, and it is the duty of any citizen to resist that criminality, that basic immorality Contact the NWTRCC office at 800-269-7464 for a brochure and registration form or see which is the norm today. www.nwtrcc.org/meetings.htm. Please register today! —Mike Palecek, www.mikepalecek.com PAGE 4 More than a paycheck • October 2008 WTR Ideas and Actions resources

Peace Tax Seven on DVD Hung Jury! through trial on August 18. After four hours of Contempt of Conscience is the title of the MTAP’s August issue included a front page deliberation, the jury failed to reach a consen- 14-minute documentary about the Peace Tax story about two members of Trinity Nuclear sus. The prosecution may choose to re-try Seven, war tax resisters in Britain who are Abolitionists (TNA) who were arrested for Page, who said, “The jury represented the gen- taking their case to the European Court of praying at Los Alamos National Laboratory on uine ambivalence in New Mexico over nuclear Human Rights. The film is a good presenta- April 14, 2008, in opposition to war taxes. abolition, which is a hopeful sign to TNA that tion of the reasons for refusing to pay for Mike Butler is awaiting a court hearing on his U.S. Americans might finally muster the war, the risk of having funds seized, and why ▼ this group feels they must go to court. plea bargain, but Marcus Page was put willpower to end the nuclear age.” $15 plus $2 postage. Updated Brochures Counseling Notes only $100 billion out of $290 billion of continued from page 2 NWTRCC is copublishing the basic war unpaid tax debts as collectible. Of the $100 tax resistance brochure with War Resisters Another provision of the bill may be help- billion potentially collectible debt, the IRS is League. Our Tax Money Our Choice is ful to low-income homeowners who are actively pursuing only $25 billion with $2.5 updated and redesigned although the text is similar to past versions. It gives brief explana- trying to get below the “tax line.” Such filers billion being shelved because of a claimed tions of why people resist, how to resist, can now take an “above the line” deduction lack of resources. The longer a debt is out- federal budget issues, redirection, and lists for some or all of the property tax they pay standing, the less likely it will be collected. resources for more information. (before, this was one of the “itemized” …When all is said and done, over half of the Also newly updated is NWTRCC’s deductions). Above-the-line deductions tax debt inventory that the IRS resolves will telephone tax brochure, explaining that the federal excise tax only appears on local reduce your adjusted gross income, which come from writing off the tax or being pre- phone service. The new version also gives a reduces the tax you owe and also can help vented from collecting it under the 10 year little more background to federal excise you qualify for other deductions and credits. statute of limitations.” taxes and includes a sample form to send to Source: http://sniggle.net/Experiment/index.php? Excerpted from a press release by Senators phone companies. entry=26Jul08 Max Baucus and Chuck Grassley, the top Single copies are free; $12/100, or call for other rates. Democrat and Republican on the Senate Finance On the One Hand… Committee, online at finance.senate.gov/press/ The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) Bpress/2008press/prb071608.pdf. reported to Congress that the IRS is becoming more aggressive in its collection efforts and Lock-in Letter Ignored may be violating its policies. “TAS is seeing in If the IRS notices that your withholding is its cases an inclination toward seizure despite too low, they may respond by issuing a “lock- the existence of viable alternative collection in letter” to your employer. This letter tells methods. In addition, TAS is witnessing your employer to start withholding taxes apparent failures on the part of the IRS to fol- from your paychecks with one allowance low various provisions of the Internal Revenue (unless you can prove more allowances are Manual regarding the collecting process.... In proper) or your employer will be on the hook several instances, TAS has also observed the for your taxes. However, a recent Inspector Stickers Get Attention imposition of a levy on assets in a taxpayer’s General report says that some employers have Advertise war tax resistance in your retirement account even though the requisite been ignoring these “lock-in letters,” and they community just by putting a sticker on your ‘flagrant conduct’ did not appear to be pres- haven’t suffered any consequences for doing bumper, bicycle, bulletin board, or signpost. ent.” The report also said the service “is seeing so. In addition, while the IRS is empowered The NWTRCC office receives regular cases in which delinquent tax accounts have to issue $500 fines to people who “fraudu- calls from individuals who have seen our bumpersticker. sat for five to ten years without meaningful IRS lently” claim exemption from withholding Your Tax Dollars Arm the World, intervention only to be aggressively pursued in order to resist taxes, its bureaucracy is 4in. x 4in., black and white, with “Resist” and as the [statute of limitations] draw[s] near.” structured in such a way as to make this NWTRCC website. 3 for $1; 100 for $30 plus impractical. In 2006 they assessed only 29 $2.50 postage from NWTRCC. On the Other Hand… such fines, and in 2007 none at all. If You Want Peace Stop Paying for 1 War bumperstickers, 11 /2in. x 3in. with “For fiscal years 2002 through 2007, while Source: www.treas.gov/tigta/auditreports/2008 NWTRCC phone number and website. collections increased by $10 billion, unpaid reports/200840167fr.pdf $1 each, 5 or more .75 each plus postage. debts increased by the same amount. During Order all the above from NWTRCC, this same time, the IRS wrote off from 31 per- Thanks to Dave Gross for some submissions. PO Box 150553, Brooklyn, NY 11215 or cent to 46 percent of unpaid debts because it Check out his blog for continuous musings call 1-800-269-7464 or online at essentially ran out of time to collect these and news related to war tax resistance: www.nwtrcc.org/publications.htm. debts. For fiscal year 2007, the IRS classified http://www.sniggle.net/Experiment. ▼ More than a paycheck • October 2008 PAGE 5 international

International Conference continued from page 1 Taking Action As we have found in the past, it is more difficult to resist in most countries. But I was a bit surprised as to how little effort there is outside the U.S. to do outreach and organiz- ing about war tax resistance (WTR), and, in Joshi Kanhaiya Prasad from Nepal spoke of the dramatic change in fact, some participants even seemed to think government in his country. He of WTR as a futile gesture, because of the has established a peace tax fund risks of rapid collection. But I was also struck committee, drawn up a draft doc- by the emphasis on combining any resist- ument, and spoken with two Conference organizers Paula Hollings (Conscience) and Robin Brookes ance or peace tax legislative effort with creat- ministers about including it in the (Peace Tax Seven). Thanks to both for their hard work! current legislative reforms. ing a government fund for peace initiatives Siân Cwper, Wales, is a member of the Peace Tax or alternative defense systems. The U.S. Seven. She is being taken to court on October 7 peace tax fund would not be used for vio- for withholding the military portion of her taxes lence, but it would used for other general and support is being organized. “The purpose of government expenses. In Britain and else- my Buddhist practice is to benefit all sentient beings. Killing and wounding people is the where the campaigns are tied specifically to opposite, and I do not wish to pay for it. I want having the military part of their taxes spent my taxes to go towards something beneficial.” on peacebuilding initiatives. The keynote speech, “Towards Sustain- able Security,” built on this theme. Paul Rogers, professor at Bradford University Peace Studies Department, spoke about the important opportunity for peace activists, including WTRs, to build on what is so There may only be one war tax resister in Belgium, but Jan obvious today—that military solutions do Hellebut has been a cog in the not work. He encourages all progressive system with a court case against groups to work together to turn around the collection and paying for war climate change/environmental crises and that began in 1997 and is ongo- the growing gap between rich and poor, ing. The peace tax group VRAK became an autonomous group of because these are the pressures that are Friends of the Earth, which has Netzwerk Friedenssteuer in Berlin promotes a peace tax fund option for going to lead to further conflict and war in raised their profile in Belgium’s German taxpayers. They recently organized a vigil outside court for a local the coming years. To end war and turn activist community. war tax resister. things around we need to combine our efforts with other groups and address all no group offered a great success story, many tax resisters from countries other than the these issues in a more cohesive way. are looking for answers in the networking U.S., sharing our methods of resistance, the Workshop sessions included “changing the websites and by upgrading our own web- differences in tax systems, and the antics of ways governments think” as regards security, sites. The Danish peace tax fund campaign collectors. Pictures accompanying this article legal and judicial approaches, campaign works with the model UN program in high give a glimpse into some of these stories. strategy, effective nonviolent direct action, schools, making “the right not to pay for comparing tax structures, youth outreach, war” a topic in those discussions. One per- International Business and writing personal statements of con- son noted that the activist groups that seem Conscience and Peace Tax International science. Because the U.S. war tax resistance to be most successful at drawing in young (http://cpti.ws/) held their business meeting movement is much stronger (!) than in other people are the ones that give new members during the conference. They reported on countries, as the NWTRCC representative something to do immediately and regularly. their activities monitoring or participating in I found a certain disconnect in workshop There was also a good deal of discussion UN committees; presenting briefing papers to discussions, and we always spent a good deal of language, in particular the use of the the Human Rights Committee on conscien- of time just trying to understand other word “conscience.” Some feel it is not a word tious objection to military service (and taxa- systems in order to understand the approach that resonates with young folks today. Many tion where relevant); and establishing a Legal of activists in that country. prefer the positive spin of “Taxes for Peace Committee to better coordinate collection of It was clear that whatever our focus, we all Not War.” legal documents, court records, and informa- face similar obstacles in our efforts. Bringing Despite the emphasis on peace tax cam- tion about ongoing cases. U.S. activist Daniel in young people is a case in point, and while paigns, I had many conversations with war Jenkins and Connecticut lawyer Fred

PAGE 6 More than a paycheck • October 2008 Photos by Ed Hedemann. international

Dettmer serve on this committee. was asked to post more organizing successes report small groups and marginal inroads, NWTRCC is supportive of but not a mem- and ideas on its website. The CPTI board they also all seem to be experimenting with ber of CPTI as it was founded to link peace will discuss this proposal, and we will talk new tactics and strategies. Whether it is war tax fund campaigns internationally; the about it at future NWTRCC meetings. tax resistance or peace tax campaigning, National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund in On the one hand nothing monumental we’re not giving up! ▼ D.C. has been very active with CPTI over the came out of this conference—no grand suc- years. However, many conference attendees cess stories or dramatic actions—but I came Ruth Benn is NWTRCC’s Coordinator. have come to see CPTI as the umbrella group away with better insights into the work of Other U.S. activists attending the conference for “taxes for peace not war,” and CPTI was many of the groups and the certain knowl- were David Bassett, Beatrice Beguin, Naomi asked by many participants to take on the edge that wherever there are taxes for war Paz Greenberg, Ed Hedemann, Daniel Jenkins, role of officially sponsoring the conferences there are individuals of conscience who won’t Paul Sheldon, and expatriate living-in-Britian and coordinating work more generally. CPTI pay voluntarily. While all the campaigns Bill Glassmire

The Differences: Tax System Comparison War Tax Resistance in the United States Britain (and other countries) SOURCES OF WAR TAXES income, corporate, income, VAT, etc. U.S. vs. the Rest of World some excise by Ed Hedemann WHO CAN RESIST everyone mostly just the self-employed peace activists who want to HOW TO RESIST U.S. refuse to pay for war have it self-employed refuse to pay refuse to pay easy, at least compared to most payroll control over withholding W-4 allowances to reduce PAYE, so generally no option of the rest of the world. In the United States, withholding (unless employer agrees) everyone who wants to resist taxes can do so. income tax form yes no (unless self We must file—or refuse to file—income tax employed) returns, which makes refusal possible, whereas some options to file in Italy, Germany, Norway, Belgium in most countries that option doesn’t exist. For example, in Britain, unless you’re self employed, CONSEQUENCES letters and notices yes yes there is no income tax return to file. Income taxes court order before seizure no yes are taken directly from your paycheck (through bank account seizures yes yes, after court order Pay As You Earn - PAYE) and employees cannot salary seizures yes yes control the amount that is withheld unless their property seizures very rare not unusual but after employer is willing to be complicit (as with War court order Resisters’ International in London). jail very rare, generally rare but does happen In the United States very few non-income not for refusal* because of refusal taxes contribute to war, except for the excise PEACE TAX FUNDS taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and local telephone tax checkoff for church, etc. no in Italy and Spain, but not in most countries service. But in many other countries, the taxes peace tax funds tied to that go to the military not only come from alternative NV defense no yes income taxes but also from the general sale taxes or VAT (value added tax). Buy a television *most jailed U.S. war tax resisters were for refusal to give information or altering tax forms rather than not paying and part of the tax goes to war. What percent of the budget goes to military judgment against a resister, tax agents can come States. For example, in Belgium, only one spending? In the United States about 50% of our to your house and put stickers on personal person is known to be a war tax resister. federal income taxes goes to past and present property (TV set, computer, bicycle, etc.) to Consequently, many feel that their only war. However, paychecks in Britain do not have indicate that these items will be seized in 30 option is to agitate for peace tax fund legislation separate amounts withheld for income taxes, for days unless the government gets paid. Also, it and hope their government will see the light. social security, etc., so the percentage of their appears that the percentage of resisters being One additional interesting difference is how PAYE taxes that goes to war is around 10%. sent to jail—though small in number (only four peace tax fund money would be used The consequences for those who are able to in the last 20 years)—is higher in Britain than (see chart). ▼ resist (mostly the self-employed) are also a bit in the United States. The sentences have ranged different. Generally, a court order is required in from a week to four weeks. Ed Hedemann attended the international Britain to seize personal property, which is done As a result of these restrictions, the numbers conference in Manchester. He is the author of more frequently than in the United States. In of war tax resisters in other countries are much War Tax Resistance and active with NYC War other countries (such as Germany), if there is a smaller than the several thousand in the United Resisters League. More than a paycheck • October 2008 PAGE 7 profile Dental Office Forced to Close by Ruth Benn “I am sorry to announce that The time. People ask if war tax resistance changes Commonwealth has taken action that forces me anything. I can’t say that, but it’s helped me to close my dental office for non-compliance with put up with what we have to put up with in licensure and newer infection control protocols. I this country.” am deeply saddened that I must abandon Tom’s journey into war tax resistance patients—or face arrest. Your records and began when he met longtime resister Wally x-rays may be picked up at the office.” Nelson in 1977 and learned about people Thomas A.Wilson D.D.S. who conscientiously refuse to pay taxes because of war. He joined the anti-nuclear o reads the public notice that Tom movement and found that he could not in Wilson, dentist of 47 years and war tax S good conscience support a government that resister since 1977, had to place threatened the world with such weapons. in his local paper, The Greenfield (MA) With Wally and others he helped found Recorder. For 21 years Tom had been prac- Pioneer Valley War Tax Resistance and can ticing his profession safely, but without a often be found at vigils and demonstrations license—an act of civil disobedience each holding a “Don’t Pay War Taxes” sign. ▼ time he walked into his office. The state suspended his license in 1987 because of *This and other background notes are from his noncooperation with state tax laws after Tom’s story in War Tax Resistance: A Guide to the state cooperated with IRS collection Withholding Your Support from the Military, efforts. This put him in conflict with the available from NWTRCC. Massachusetts law that requires compliance To support Tom, send Letters to the Editor to all state tax laws before relicensure for to The Greenfield Recorder, 14 Hope Street, any profession requiring a state license. Greenfield, MA 01302-1367, and or personal Tom appeared before his colleagues in messages to Tom Wilson, 25 Elm St., 1987 to tell his story and state his reasons for Shelburne Falls, MA. Thomas Wilson, 1991. Photo by Ed Hedemann. conscientious objection to paying for war, an experience he found inspiring. He explained that he would continue to practice dentistry despite the outcome of their vote (5-2 to sus- pend), and he did, offering affordable dental NWTRCC services and keeping his practice going.* P.O. Box 150553 “Now I’ve come full circle after 21 years of Brooklyn, NY11215 practicing without a license,” Tom said in a (800) 269-7464 phone interview on September 23. It takes a (718) 768-3420 complaint for the Board of Registration in Dentistry to act, and it may be political rea- sons that finally brought a complaint from a nearby oral surgeon, who apparently just noticed that Tom was practicing without a license. “I’ve always known it was just a ques- tion of when this might happen,” he said, but he didn’t know anything was up until two Please Note: inspectors arrived at his office to look for his If there is a red circle license, take pictures, and inspect his equip- around your address ment. A local police officer was in tow, but his label, this is the last presence was unnecessary. issue of More Than a Paycheck on your At 75 Tom is philosophical about closing subscription. Send in the door on his professional life and has no a renewal ASAP! regrets about his choices. “In this present economy we’re getting a payback for what the government has been doing and what I haven’t been paying for and resisting all this