should I feel quilty

[TromboneAl]

I live in Alexandria Virginia. Near the Supreme Court Chambers is a toll bridge across the Potomac. When in a rush, I pay the dollar toll and get home early. However, I usually drive outside the downtown section of the city and cross the Potomac on a free bridge. This bridge was placed outside the downtown Washington, DC area to serve a useful social service, getting drivers to drive the extra mile and to help alleviate congestion during the rush hour.

If I went over the toll bridge and through the barrier without paying the toll, I would be committing tax evasion. If, however, I drive the extra mile and drive outside the city of Washington to the free bridge, I am using a legitimate, logical, and suitable method of tax avoidance, and I am performing a useful social service by doing so.

For my tax evasion, I should be punished. For my tax avoidance, I should be commended. The tragedy of life today is that so few people know that the free bridge even exists."

-- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis

 

[aimhigh]

that is a great analogy

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Wow have we done the OP a disservice.

He asks if he should feel quilty and we all go off on this guilt thing.

I'm feeling exceptionally quilty today, and I wish everyone a bright and quilty day!

 

[REWahoo]

Wow have we done the OP a disservice.

He asks if he should feel quilty and we all go off on this guilt thing.

Don't guibble.

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

At least I do it guickly and guietly.

 

[free4now]

I definitely don't think there is any need to feel guilty over not paying taxes that you don't owe. As others have said there is no moral, patriotic, or legal reason to pay more taxes than you owe. I take advantage of every IRS loophole I can find.

But I will note that there are some times that I choose to pay more tax than I have to, just because paying the tax is beneficial to society. For instance if I can mail order a $100 item from an out of state seller and pay $15 shipping it costs me $115 total. Lets say the same item from in state costs $100 plus $8 tax plus $8 shipping, for a total price of $116.

I will sometimes pay the $116 because then society gets $8 dollars of tax that it wouldn't have gotten otherwise. I know this example is probably not ideal because legally I should pay the tax on the out of state purchase too and choose not to. But lets ignore that for this discussion since in practice hardly anyone considers it an ethical lapse to buy out of state without paying sales tax.

If it works out about the same to me I'll rather have the money go to our country, even if that means paying a little more. I don't think anyone including myself has any obligation to do this, and this is a different issue from what the OP raised.

-FireMe

 

[MasterBlaster]

For what it's worth, many large internet sellers are charging out of state sales taxes for internet purchases.