Group 1: Tax Protest Movement - Some Americans are protesting the government by refusing to pay their taxes, with notable cases like Rachel Cohen, who announced on social media that she would not pay the estimated $8,800 owed to the federal government [2][3] - The National Tax Strike group has reported increased web traffic and social media engagement, indicating a growing movement against federal income tax payments [4] Group 2: Legal Implications - Refusing to pay federal taxes is illegal and can lead to severe penalties, including up to five years in prison, significant fines, liens against property, wage garnishment, and loss of passports, especially if the refusal is willful [4][6] - Experts recommend legal protest options, such as filing taxes with a protest letter, rather than completely withholding payment, as the IRS may impose harsher penalties for willful non-payment [6][8]
People Are Refusing to Pay Their Taxes as a Form of Protest—But It Can Come With Heavy Penalties
Investopedia·2026-03-17 00:00