MTAP Dec 06 Single Page
More than a paycheck News from the War Tax Resistance Movement December 2006 Concerns and Hope: Notes on the International Conference By Larry Rosenwald
Larry served as NWTRCC’s representative Marian Franz to the 11th International Conference on War Tax Resistance and Peace Tax It is with great sadness that we Campaigns in Wolters- report the November 17 death of dorf, Germany, October Marian Franz, who directed the 26-29, 2006. He is active National Campaign for a Peace Tax with New England War Fund for 24 years. She was at the Tax Resistance in Massa- founding conference of NWTRCC chusetts. in 1982 and remained a friend ever since. There will be a tribute in ▼ o set the scene, our next issue. first: Woltersdorf Street theater workshop at the International Conference led by Berlin-based T is a small town teachers, Til Baumann and Harald Hahn (standing back left). Participants in the just east of Berlin, skit included German actors Katharina (victory sign), Gisela (money in her reputedly inhabited by hand), and Ev (right) and Abraham from Eritrea. Photo by Friedrich Heilmann A Different Side German’s new “radicals,” half the participants were from Germany, i.e., neo-Nazis (so I was told by a man I most of the rest from other European met in the streetcar that took me there), countries, with a few Americans, one Cana- of Las Vegas but very beautiful and apparently placid, dian, and two participants from Ghana, with a canal running through it. The and one each from Eritrea, Nepal, and Mayor of the town showed up for a By Susan Balzer India. This was a more strikingly interna- plenary session on “Responsibility” and tional profile than the other conferences I spoke very movingly. The conference itself as Vegas is not the kind of place have attended, and the Ghanaian and took place at the “Haus Gottesfriede,” i.e., that this modest Mennonite would Eritrean participants in particular had a L the House of God’s Peace – a lovely and ordinarily choose to go to for a big effect on the conference, shifting its simple space, its name offering the first vacation, and, except for a few hours perspective towards Africa’s nine wars and suggestion, though not the last, of how on the strip on Saturday night, my the role of the small armaments industry religious an atmosphere this conference visit there November 2-5 was far in making those wars possible. would have, much more so than any Amer- different from that of a tourist. I saw a In this largely European context, U.S.- ican conference on wtr I’ve ever attended. side of Las Vegas that tourists rarely see style war tax resistance turned out to be There were 65 participants. The and had the opportunity to interact quite unusual. That is partly a question of number was lower than average for these with people ministering to their neigh- demography, of who the participants were. conferences; so was the number of partici- bors and working to stop war and the They are, as noted, more religious than we pants at the New England WTR gathering I preparation for war. are, or at any rate more religious on the attended in early November. As a person In Las Vegas I spent time with 20 whole than the WTRs I know or know of. attentive to numbers I found myself members of NWTRCC, our group’s More than a few were or had been pastors wondering whether this reflected a decline hosts at the Las Vegas Catholic Worker, or deacons or other religious function- in the strength of our movement. About Continued on page 7 Continued on page 3
National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee • P.O. Box 150553, Brooklyn, NY 11215 • (718)768-3420 • (800) 269-7464 Counseling Notes
Refused Redirection I Refused Redirection II reg Reagle of Washington, DC, writes: For Bill and Genie Durland of Colorado Springs tax year 2005 I redirected the money I have taken their case of “refused redirection” to Gowed to 10 different organizations. One of Tax Court, although the IRS has moved to those organizations is a federal government dismiss the case. The Durlands sent a check of agency [a national park]. I think you will find the about half of what they owed to the IRS and the response interesting. I found it amusing as well other half to the Social Security Administration as frustrating. I chose not to follow up because I (SSA). As semi-retired senior citizens the suppose their lawyer(s) advised them to refuse. Durlands’ livelihood is partly dependent on More than a It’s actually a very nice letter. social security payments; they attempt to live on less, as conscientious pacifist Christians opposed paycheck Dear Mr. Reagle: to institutional violence and war making every- Editor This letter is in response to your donation of where. They chose to redirect the amount they Ruth Benn $200. We appreciate very much your contribu- could not pay for those purposes to a nonvio- tion. However, in your correspondence you lent branch of the government and one that the Design & Layout included a copy of a letter you wrote to the Bush administration had said was headed to Susan Quinlan Internal Revenue Service that states you are bankruptcy. Printing redirecting your federal income taxes to organiza- The Durlands contend they met their obliga- Lakeside Printing tions such as [this park], and that you were tions to the U.S. government. The IRS contends Cooperative doing this as a form of tax resistance. they were not paid the full amount and that the [We] can only accept donations that are Durlands must pay them again for the amount Printed on Recycled Paper intended solely for the mission of the National the SSA deposited in that U.S. government Park Service. Many who make this donation use account. The IRS continues its collection efforts, More Than a Paycheck is a it as a tax deduction. To accept your donation while the Durlands have provided the court with bimonthly publication of the National War Tax Resistance would make us culpable in an illegal act of tax careful arguments concerning the government’s Coordinating Committee, a resistance. We believe it was not your intention efforts at “unjust enrichment” and conscience. clearinghouse and resource to involve us in what you define as an act of “The exercise of such awesome governmental center for the conscientious conscience. However, because of the circum- power desecrates the rights of religious war tax resistance stances it remains impossible for us to accept conscience by a political administration which movement in the United your donation. Your $200 money order is being claims to bring democracy abroad while disman- States. NWTRCC is a returned to you and is enclosed. tling it here,” the Durlands said in their October coalition of local, regional and national affiliate groups We wish you well, and hope you will continue 2005 press release at the onset of this case. More working on war tax to appreciate and value [this park]. information and a copy of the court documents related issues. Sincerely…… are available from the NWTRCC office. ▼
NWTRCC sees poverty, racism, sexism, homophobia, economic exploitation, environmental Network destruction and militarization of Many Thanks law enforcement as integrally Updates linked with the militarism which we abhor. Through the e are grateful for the contributions from redirection of our tax dollars, each of you who responded to our W Great Lakes Region: New Area NWTRCC members contribute November fund appeal (there’s still time to directly to the struggle for respond of course) and to these groups for their Contact—Bill Ruhaak, Joliet, IL, peace and justice for all. recent affiliation fees: [email protected] Ithaca War Tax Resistance Subscriptions to Maine War Tax Resistance Resource Center The Network list has been More Than a Paycheck War Resisters League, National Office updated for 2006 with most are $15 per year. groups and individuals listed on NwTRcc And a few end-of-the-year thanks yous to: the NWTRCC website at Nonviolent Action Community of Cascadia www.nwtrcc.org/contactN2.htm. P. O. Box 150553 Brooklyn, NY 11215 for hosting the May meeting Las Vegas Catholic Worker Affiliates, counselors, and area (718) 768-3420 contacts may request a complete (800) 269-7464 for hosting the November meeting printed listing from Ruth Benn at FAX: (718) 768-4388 Lakeside Press, Madison, Wisconsin, ▼ for printing our newsletter and literature the NWTRCC office. email: [email protected] (not for free but at a very good price!) Web: www.nwtrcc.org page 2 More than a paycheck • December 2006 International NEWS
ened or changed, or levies executed at International Conference banks or workplaces. And there were no Continued from page 1 stories that I can recall of choosing a life of voluntary simplicity in order not to be aries. They are also less likely than we contributing to the military budget. are to be committed to renunciation, to Some notable events at the conference, voluntary poverty, to austerity. in more or less chronological order: They are also more focused on law a) At the first plenary session, Derek and legislation than we are, by which I Brett, of Conscience and Peace Tax Interna- mean several things. First, most of the tional, summarized his quite impressive Europeans are focused chiefly on some- study of conscientious objection around thing like the National Campaign for a the world. The study is downloadable at Peace Tax Fund, i.e., on convincing their http://cpti.ws/cpti_docs/brett/intro.html. national legislatures to recognize a right b) Christian Bartolf, a German scholar of conscientious objection to military of Gandhi and director of the Gandhi Infor- taxation. (It is confusing for them, I mation Center, presented his campaign to think, that in the U.S. we have both an get signatures for a petition against mili- American “national campaign,” i.e., the tary conscription. He has at the moment NCPTF, and also a community or move- some 12,000 signatories, including several ment of war tax resisters who are either winners of the Nobel Peace Prize (plus supportive or not supportive of the Studs Terkel and Pete Seeger). See the text NCPTF but in any case separate from it.) and signers at http://home.snafu.de/ Accordingly, they are more likely than mkgandhi/manifest.htm. we are to initiate court actions (as c) The British case of the Peace Tax Larry Rosenwald tells international conference opposed to being summoned into them), Seven was perhaps the case most often and participants about war tax resistance in the U.S. their goal in initiating such actions being prominently discussed at the conference. Photo by Friedrich Heilmann again to change the legal situation, in the (The British national campaign is hosting court actions as in the legislative the 2008 conference, partly in relation to http://www.peacetaxseven.com for more campaigns. They are also more focused this case; everyone wants to know how it’s details.) on the U.N. than we are, and on other going to turn out.) In that case, seven d) One prominent theme had to do with international courts, e.g., the European British opponents to war are seeking an reaching young people. Some conference Court of Human Rights. exemption from being required to pay participants were young, to be sure, but They are, on the other hand, less taxes to the military. Their case has been most were between 50 and 70, so one could focused on building a movement of rejected by all the British courts to which feel the urgency of the theme just by people who will refuse war taxes, to the they have turned, and they are now looking around the room. One response extent possible, here and now, in willing- heading for the European Court of Human came from a Dutch group headed by Bart ness to suffer the consequences. There Rights. They have made a dvd docu- Horeman and associated with Euro’s Voor were few or no stories of houses being menting their case and are trying to raise Freede; this group presented its website seized or defended, of jobs being threat- some $100,000 for their court costs. (See (not yet up and running), which is aimed at young people, interactive, with lots of cool images. The focus is mostly on lifestyle choices, and there is also a digital penny poll, frankly borrowed from U.S. practice A second response was a workshop led by two young, Berlin-based street theater teachers, Til Baumann and Harald Hahn. It turns out to be both challenging and feasible to create images illustrating paying taxes for peace. (Harald’s website is at http:/ /www.harald-hahn.de/, and the section to look at is the one called “Politisches Aktionstheater,” which is in German but has some wonderful photographs.) Of all the workshops and presentations at the conference, this was the one that left me most hopeful in its direct relation to wtr Karin Gottschalk, administrator of the conference center, welcomes participants at the opening session. Left: and in its capacity to engage young people. Irene Auerbach, interpreter. Photo by Friedrich Heilmann ▼
More than a paycheck • December 2006 page 3 Resources War Tax Res Back in Stock! Successful Outreach at SOAW Two books by Donald Kaufman, hose of us who worked the war tax Thanks to Daniel Woodham, Mary NWTRCC friend, member of the resistance table at the School of the Regan, David Waters, Adele Kushner, Heartland Peace Tax Fund and the T Americas Watch (SOAW) weekend, and Peg Morton for their hard work in Mennonite church, are back in print November 17-19, were blown away by the Columbus. Beth Lavoie of the Georgia and updated. What Belongs to response to our survey effort. We got in Peace & Justice Coalition helped us get Caesar? A Discussion on the Christian’s the neighborhood of 1,000 war tax resis- surveys completed by folk hanging out at Response to Payment of War Taxes tance surveys filled out! When added to their table. And of course we’re grateful to has a section exploring three basic the ones already in hand, we’re now about Bill Ramsey for putting together a arguments against the voluntary 30% of the way towards our goal of 5,000 wonderful survey kit with all the clipboards payment of war taxes. Tax Dilemma: (see the NWTRCC meeting report on p. 6). and trays. Praying for Peace, Paying for War I think it was one of the most exciting includes in this edition the insights presences we’ve had at SOAW. Asking of 42 other writers. The royalties people to fill out the survey gave us much from sales of each book benefit more interaction than leafleting, which either the Peace Tax Foundation or we’ve done in past years. (Our message did NWTRCC—another incentive to get out to everyone because NWTRCC had purchase these books for your an ad in the SOAW printed program, which peace action library—or for your was handed out to all of the 20,000 people public library! who came; we even found it available in the Order from Wipf and Stock lobbies of the motels in town.) Publishers, 199 West 8th Avenue, People asked questions, got a little on- Suite 3, Eugene OR 97401, (541) the-spot mini-counseling, were given the 344-1528, or online at materials they needed (most often the new www.wipfandstock.com. flyer on W-4 resistance, which we used up and had to re-copy), and sometimes went away with a local contact from our network Inserts list. About 50 people signed up for intro- ductory packets, and we got 16 names on in this Issue the “Don’t Pay for War in Iraq!” call to tax resistance. Our literature sales matched the An extra sheet is inserted with best we’ve done in the past. the issue. One side is a new sign-on For more about the whole weekend and the statement for people who pledge to campaign to close the school see www.soaw.org. refuse to some or all of their 2006 Photo courtesy of soaw.org —Robert Randall, Brunswick, GA ▼ income taxes. Please copy and use this form at your tables and events and send the sheets to the NWTRCC office. We will publicize the numbers of war tax resisters WTR on the Big & Small Screen who sign on during the coming tax season. “Boston Legal” (ABC, Mar. 14, 2006) In “Stranger Than Fiction” (Sony Pictures, On the reverse is the flyer to the episode called “Stick It” Melissa (Marisa Nov. 2006) This film features an IRS agent promote our video contest. Please Coughlan)—in a legally highly unlikely (Will Ferrell) who audits Ana Pascal (Maggie make copies and mail to students, sequence of events—is arrested and put on Gyllenhaal), a war tax resisting hippie anar- video teachers, colleges, high trial for tax evasion because she put a note chist baker. It turns out that the agent real- schools, and any special film and on her 1040 return saying “stick it” when izes that he is the fictional creation of a video programs in your area. she refused to pay her war taxes. One of the writer (Emma Thompson) who is seeking to NWTRCC needs your help to best parts of this episode is the jury summa- kill him off in her novel. While not much make this project a success! The tion given by her lawyer, Alan Shore more than a mention in the film, we are flyer is also downloadable at (James Spader)—a terrific defense of why impressed that the idea of war tax resistance someone might refuse to pay as a matter of has appeared in a major studio film. ▼ www.nwtrcc.org. ▼ conscience. The speech is linked from the music note on the NWTRCC homepage. page 4 More than a paycheck • December 2006 esistance Ideas & Actions WTR Ads Available Letters to the Please copy and use these ads in your publications, on your letters and Editor flyers, on bulletin board notices Dear MTAP: and help spread The article on obedience in the the word recent newsletter was interesting. I about WTR. think the root of our obedience is in If you childhood*, when we are totally would like dependent on adults for survival and high re- are conditioned to obey, as are all solution animal young. But there is always the versions spark of self-determination there also! emailed to you, *In other words it’s biologic— please contact the animals also have packs with leaders. NWTRCC office at Aanya Adler Friess, [email protected]. Ads are also posted for Albuquerque, NM your use on our website at http:// www.nwtrcc.org/publications.htm Click on Dear MTAP: the link for “Downloadable Outreach and The era of Empire is coming to an Information Flyers.” ▼ end, one way or another, because for human beings great concentrations of power are self destructive. We need egalitarian democratic culture, what David C. Korten (The Great Tu rning) To NWTRCC from Inside calls “Earth Community,” to survive. Where Korten goes wrong is in ear Friends, Whatever happens, I feel a comfort in my basing his “new story” on goofy New So glad to hear from you all. I am heart that comes from a clear conscience. I D Age spirituality. Ambiguous obscure pleased to let you know that as some know you can all relate to that. Your letter concepts don’t work for teaching of you have wished for me to have, a and thoughts are most comforting. I must cooperation and shared responsi- peaceful stay, that is what it is. I count my agree with Mr. Hedemann who wrote that bility. Esoteric ideas give the upper blessings for that, and all of the support “the need to imprison us reflects the fear hand to con artists and charlatans. He and comforting letters I have received. this government has of our belief.” I says, “Earth Community enjoys the Many people write to me with such without a doubt believe that. All they have ultimate advantage, because the comforting, encouraging words. Some are is brute force—while we trust in Yahweh natural human drive—if not even inspiring. Some are so kind and (God). I will always be satisfied with the blocked—is to grow in capacity and thoughtful that I am refreshed in my heart, latter, and find strength in those who share understanding and to connect with and grateful for the humanity of it. the same. ever expanding circles of life. Political I am doing as well, I think, as one can Love to all, extremists must engage in manipula- do under these circumstances. And while I Joseph Donato #40884-050, tion and deception to thwart this see no end in sight for our plight, I feel FCI Fairton–Satellite Camp, natural impulse.” (p. 330). strong and convicted. As you may be PO Box 420, Fairton, NJ 08320 To the contrary, the natural aware, the government is going to insist human tendency probably is to form that we compromise our faith and convic- Editor’s Note: Joe Donato and Kevin McKee dominance hierarchies as do all other tions for peace and morality. Our Godly are members of Restored Israel of Yahweh in social apes. Manipulation and decep- motives are trumped by the Department of New Jersey. They are serving 27- and 24- tion to gain and hold power is the Justice and the Tax Codes—a tax as we all month sentences on charges related to their norm, the default condition, where know, that finances murder. How can we refusal to pay for war. (See MTAP August people have not been carefully ever surrender to that! 2005.) Please continue to write them. taught to practice egalitarian demo- I pray that our stands produce some Kevin McKee, #40886-050, cratic principles. fruit on which we can all benefit. I have no FCI Schuylkill Satellite Camp, Dale L. Berry, G doubt that we are doing the right thing. It PO Box 670, rants, NM ▼ may take some time to reach our goals. Minersville, PA 17954 ▼ More than a paycheck • December 2006 page 5 nwtrcc business
Enclosed with this issue you will find the results of another small group’s work in NWTRCC Launches Video Contest Las Vegas (no time to hit the slots for us!). and other Highlights of the NWTRCC last initiated a sign-on statement before the war in Iraq began, and it is time Coordinating Committee Meeting to make our refusal to pay for this war more public. Please copy the statement and ince the Strategy Conference in 2005 before tax day. There are prizes of $300, help collect signatures; use it with your a small committee has been devel- $200, and $100 for the top three entries. local groups and in local newspapers. If S you have contact with well-known persons oping plans for using more video Other exciting news form the meeting clips on the NWTRCC website or as adver- is that our Practical #5 on Low Income who would increase our visibility, please tising for war tax resistance, along with War Tax Resistance is getting a much- secure their pledge, and let the NWTRCC plugging away at plans to make a longer needed update. David Gross of San Fran- office know right away.. We will plan piece for use in workshops and commu- cisco volunteered for this project and has publicity around this statement with the nity showings. In order to create these solicited ideas and updates from people coming tax season. Return signed copies to video shorts that are so popular these who were involved in the current edition the NWTRCC office, and tell us how you days, the Coordinating Committee (CC) and people new to our network. A rough are using it. accepted a proposal to launch a video draft was presented at the meeting and a Finally, we passed a budget for the new contest. committee has formed to review a final fiscal year that begins December 1 and set The “Don’t Pay for War” video contest draft in mid-December. We hope to have a our work objectives for the coming year. asks for entries of 30 seconds - 2 minutes new version printed early in 2007. The minutes of the meeting and accompa- that will appeal to U.S. taxpayers, espe- The War Tax Resistance Survey led to a nying papers are on our website at http:// cially young people who are starting to get lively discussion in a small group about www.nwtrcc.org/nov06minutes.htm, or contact the office if you would like a paper paychecks. All the information about the the merits of the survey itself and whether ▼ contest is on our website at http:// the results we had received thus far were copy mailed to you. www.nwtrcc.org/videocontest.htm. We are enough to make an educated decision asking all readers to help get out the word about whether to proceed with a one-year about this contest. Please copy the resistance campaign or not. About 300 Nominations enclosed flyer and email the link to surveys were received by the time of our everyone you know—especially teachers meeting, and it was agreed that we should Needed! and students who can help spread the set a goal of 5,000 surveys returned by word into new networks. We hope that all our next meeting in May 2007. At that of you will think of the schools and point we will be able to say more defini- NWTRCC’s Administrative colleges near you that have video tively what percentage of those Committee (AdComm) seeks 2 new programs, and send them the contest responding would participate in a national alternate members to help with information. The video contest website campaign; if a high percentage is positive, organizational decision-making and includes links to sample videos and infor- this information will be taken to peace process. New members will be mation about war tax resistance for those movement leaders to impress upon them selected at the May 2007 meeting new to wtr. We hope to have winners by the need to move to a new level of resis- with terms starting after the meeting. early April so that we can announce them tance and refuse to pay for war. Alternates serve three years total: one year as alternate plus two as full members. Meetings are twice a year with occasional emails and phone calls during the year. Current members are Susan Balzer* (KS), Daniel Woodham* (NC), Alice Liu (CA), Clark Hanjian (MA), Robert Randall (GA, alternate), and Pam Allee (OR, alternate). Susan and Daniel complete their terms in May. Please contact the NWTRCC office for a job description, or send in nomina- tions and we will follow up with further details. Affiliate groups should make a special effort to offer nominations. Self nominations are Breakfast at Las Vegas Catholic Worker. (l to r) Esther Freeman, Joffre Stewart, Steev Hise, Laura Pope, Lincoln welcome. Deadline is March 14, 2007. Rice, and Mike Butler. Photo by Ruth Benn
page 6 More than a paycheck • December 2006 Local Reports and CONTINUATIONS
refusal to other peace and justice …Las Vegas issues, saw a video produced by Continued from page 1 Common Ground in New Orleans about the Hurricane Katrina and people active in the disaster, witnessed at the Nevada Nevada Desert Experience Test Site, heard a report from the and Pace e Bene. international conference on War Las Vegas is a glittering Tax Resistance and Peace Tax city at night. Its replicas of Campaigns, wrote notes to the Eiffel Tower, Pyramids, encourage fellow war tax resisters and Space Needle rise high in difficult situations, helped with into the sky. The daring can the soup kitchen and conducted ride a roller coaster around biannual business. the top of the Needle. Some NWTRCC accepted the Heart- gamblers risk more than their land Peace Tax group’s invitation money, such as the man who to host the November 2007 enters a glass-enclosed lion’s meeting here in central Kansas. den to feed the female lion and Our setting will look different from tempt it to go right up to the Fr. Louie Vitale, Nevada Desert Experience and Pace e Bene, and Eszter Freeman Las Vegas, but the objectives will glass to show its teeth to the during NWTRCC’s Friday afternoon vigil at the test site. Photo by Susan Balzer be similar: to provide a time and guests at the MGM Grand place for active war tax resisters/ Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty that the Hotel. refusers/redirectors to meet and fellowship government signed in 1992. According to Behind the scenes, some people live with each other and people active in the the Nevada Desert Experience, the U.S. is normal, middle class lives. Others are not local peace community and to encourage currently spending more on its nuclear so blessed. people who pray for peace to take the next weapons’ program than it did at any point Our host said there are 4,000 children step and not pay for war. in the Cold War. in foster care in the city. The Catholic This is a slightly edited version of an article During the NWTRCC meetings partici- Worker and other charitable organiza- that was published in The Harvey County pants worked on plans for producing tions run soup kitchens and give shelter Independent (KS). Susan Balzer is a jour- educational videos, contributed to editing to many of the city’s homeless people. nalist and member of NWTRCC’s Administra- a practical booklet on simple/low income An hour away from the city, the U.S. tive Committee. ▼ government continues to do subcritical living, talked about the roles money plays nuclear testing in violation of the in our lives and society, connected war tax Annual New England WTR Gathering
ar tax resisters from several clinics and events in addition to the Our annual Talent Show on Saturday parts of New England converged annual gathering. evening included music, stand-up comedy, W and skits created especially for our weekend at the Voluntown Peace Trust in Staff of the Voluntown Peace Trust eastern Connecticut for the 21st annual entertained and educated us on Friday by former NWTRCC coordinator Karen New England Regional Gathering of War night with a theater piece on “Toward a Marysdaughter. In one of those, Juanita Tax Resisters and Supporters. The theme More Holistic Resistance.” We focused on Nelson “beat” three other reality show this year was “Resisting Militarism and the connections between militarism and contestants to be declared “The Biggest Materialism: Our Lifestyles and the Roots materialism in discussions during much of Resister.” of War.” Saturday, although most WTRs there were Staying at the historic Voluntown Peace The turnout was smaller than usual, living near or below taxable level. We Tr ust (formerly the Community for Nonvi- about 25-30 people and mostly veterans of recognized that not all WTRs want to scale olent Action) was a treat, as was delicious several or many previous gatherings; it back their lifestyles and that we need to food compliments of Pacifeast Caterers (aka provided a friendly and supportive atmos- address their concerns also. New England War Resisters League staff phere for reunion visits with WTRs we I enjoyed an exercise where we identified Rick Gaumer and Joanne Sheehan). hadn’t seen in a year or two. In our several problems preventing us from We left with renewed friendships and Sunday evaluation, we recognized the ending materialism (such as capitalism and a more energy to continue and promote value of support but also the need to glut of information), naming the pillars that WTR in our local communities. —Larry Dansinger, Maine WTR Resource bring new WTRs into the loop. We hope to held up those problems, and finding ways to ▼ sponsor more local and statewide one-day nonviolently tear down those pillars. Center
More than a paycheck • December 2006 page 7 WTR Profiles
2003 was not frivolous. Hence, there is no need for a late penalty since we did A Correspondence DECODING IRS not file late.” ADDRESSES August 18, 2004 - get letter from Phila- with the IRS delphia saying they are sending our Because the IRS has begun to orga- appeal to IRS Holtsville Appeals Team. Late Penalty Saga nize its “service centers” according to function (e.g., “frivolous” fine letters September 13, 2004 - we get letter from ome time ago David Ahlfeld of apparently all come from Utah) rather Appeals team saying they will consider Amherst, Massachusetts, sent us the than geography, we are trying to deter- our appeal. S mine what function correlates with sequence of steps he and his wife Victoria Dickson went through after the IRS sent them a which service center. We would appre- January 3, 2005 - get letter from Holts- letter that their 2003 tax filing, which had ciate your help by telling us what kinds ville Appeals Team removing the included a cover letter about refusing to pay for of IRS letters you get from which IRS penalty. war, constituted a frivolous return (an inaccu- offices. Please send copies of your letters rate reading of the frivolous designation by the by mail or send a short description of January 2006 - we got a call from the IRS). As we often hear, persistence can pay off their purpose to NWTRCC collections office saying that they were with the IRS, at least in releasing improper fines. ([email protected]), and be sure to about to seize assets. We decided to just In addition, many people ask how long it takes mention your location (city and state). ignore this. the IRS to respond or to collect, so this might be of interest from that angle. Finally, it serves as a March 2006 - they issued a levy on good example of keeping a timeline of correspon- July 28, 2004 - we write a new detailed funds that we had in the bank and took dence with the IRS, which can be helpful when letter clearly stating our appeal. “As I them a few weeks later. So, that ends that questions arise. understand, the IRS believes that our orig- chapter. inal return, filed April 15, 2003, was frivo- April 15, 2003 – filed IRS forms to Holts- lous. The IRS believes that the same I continue to work at a job in which ville, New York, with a cover letter stating return filed in August of 2003 was not friv- taxes are withheld. We try to minimize why the amount due cannot be paid to the olous. The IRS imposed a late filing the taxes with pre-tax savings plans and IRS. penalty based on the determination that by giving away the money that we don’t need. we did not file until August of 2003. Our ▼ July 11, 2003 - received letter from position is that the return filed April 15, —David Ahlfeld Ogden, Utah, office indicating that we had filed a frivolous claim. We refiled copies of the same forms and learned that we had gotten a late filing penalty. The notice indi- cated we should write to Holtsville if we had NWTRcc any questions or problems. P. O. Box 150553 November 4, 2003 - we wrote to Holts- Brooklyn, NY 11215 (800)269-7464 ville with an appeal. (718) 768-3420 December. 3, 2003 - we received letter from Holtsville saying they hadn’t gotten to our letter yet (I guess they are supposed to respond within 30 days).
January 22, 2004 - we received a letter from Holtsville saying they had sent our file to Ogden, and that we should be Please Note: hearing from Ogden soon. If there is a red circle around your address June 6, 2004 - having heard nothing label, this is the last from Ogden, I wrote back to Holtsville to issue of More Than a inquire of the status of our appeal. Paycheck on your subscription. Send in July 13, 2004 - received a letter from Phil- a renewal ASAP! adelphia IRS office saying that the appeal was denied because we could not justify our late filing (for example, because of serious illness). Of course, this was not what we had been appealing!