For the left there are few greater certainties than the need to
raise taxes. Born-again deficit-cutters solemnly decry the flood of
red ink and proclaim that the public is at risk if the government
is denied necessary revenues.
But those who believe that Washington needs more money to spend
on critical programs need not stand idly by if the greedy majority
refuses to vote higher levies. The undertaxed can give, and give
generously.
The federal government always has cheerfully accepted donations.
Some come in anonymously from people motivated by a twisted form of
generosity or an unnecessary sense of guilt. Sometimes those who
once cheated on their taxes decide to pay up without alerting the
authorities about their previous actions.
Voluntary contributions are common enough that the Department of
the Treasury discusses the procedure for doing so on its website.
Uncle Sam has established “a special account called ‘Gifts to the
United States’” and created a Hyattsville, Maryland address for the
checks to be sent.
This option isn’t new. Explains the Treasury:
This account was established in 1843 to accept gifts,
such as bequests, from individuals wishing to express their
patriotism to the United States. Money deposited into this account
is for general use by the Federal Government and can be available
for budget needs. These contributions are considered an
unconditional gift to the Government.
Although Treasury officials are waiting with open arms, there’s
been no stampede. The department collected only $21,179 last year.
According to writer Tim Worstall, the total received by all
agencies, including bequests, was about $2.6 million. Even that
doesn’t make much of a dent in a 12-digit budget deficit, but every
little bit helps.
The Treasury also is quite prepared to accept any tax refunds
that people don’t want. It’s quite easy. According to the
department’s website: “individuals should endorse the check and
write ‘Pay to the Order of the United States Treasury’ on the back
of the check and then mail it in.”
Indeed, the professed under-taxed need never be stuck with an
unwanted tax refund check. Anyone who thinks they are paying too
little could inflate their income and reduce their deductions.
Technically that would be filing a false return, but the Internal
Revenue Service is unlikely to prosecute someone for paying too
much.
Imagine. You feel desperately under-taxed. Give yourself the
salary of your dreams — add 20 or 30 thousand dollars to your
actual wages. Make up some capital gains and miscellaneous
income.
Moreover, eschew some of those deductions to which the Feds say
you are entitled. Forget a kid or two, drop the SEP IRA write-off,
cut your charitable contributions in half, and don’t list taxes
paid to other governments. In this way you can end up paying as
much more as you’d like.
But since distressingly few of the “taxes are too low crowd”
apparently take advantage of this opportunity, Congress should
create a special line on the 1040 for people who believe that they
are under-taxed. Call it the “guilt penalty,” or “hypocrisy relief
premium” or simply “voluntary tax.” Then people could give Uncle
Sam a boost without having to go to the trouble of finding some
obscure federal address, rejecting a refund check, or complicating
their tax preparations. The procedure should be as simple as
possible.
A half dozen states already have what Arkansas Gov. Mike
Huckabee calls the “Tax Me More Fund.” Huckabee created the fund in
2001 via executive order. Two years later New Hampshire Gov. Craig
Benson followed suit, with a special “Tax Me More” account and
form.
Montana, Oklahoma, and Virginia also cheerfully accept
donations. The Massachusetts legislature added a box on the state
tax form allowing filers to pay at the pre-tax cut rate. If you
really don’t think that your tax relief was justified, then don’t
take it.
Proposals for similar accounts have been introduced in a dozen
states. Most use some variant of the name “Tax Me More,” though
Arizona state Sen. Dean Martin calls his initiative the “I Didn’t
Pay Enough Fund.” Every state should create such a system.
If people believe that they are paying too little in taxes, they
should be encouraged to give early and often. Add as much as you’d
like when you’re filing your taxes.
The goal is not to augment federal or state revenues, however.
After all, who in their right mind views the state as a benevolent
charity? Write a bigger check so more money can go to foreign aid,
routinely wasted, misspent, and stolen? Send in some extra cash so
Uncle Sam can increase corporate welfare to America’s leading
companies? Toss a few more pennies into the black hole of Social
Security/Medicare?
Rather, there’s a larger political point to make. Americans for
Tax Reform is circulating draft language for additional “tax me
more” funds to embarrass tax hikers. Notes ATR: “The fact that
these funds were not enacted often reflects hypocrisy on the part
of those calling for higher taxes.”
Moreover, creating additional “tax me more funds” would help
educate the public. It turns out that there aren’t a lot of people
who in practice want to give politicians more money, whatever the
same people say in principle when big spenders are spinning tales
of woe from under-funded social programs. For instance, Virginia
created its “Tax Me More” fund in 2002. The total take so far has
been a smidgen over $9,000.
It’s hard to see how anyone could believe that taxes are too
low. Leviathan keeps growing, and in every area. With spending
increases running at Lyndon Johnson rates under the Republicans,
only drastic action will bring relief.
So it’s time to put to the test everyone who believes that Uncle
Sam, as well as supposedly penurious state governments in
California, New York, and elsewhere, is under-funded. Create “Tax
Me More” funds and say to people, fine. You think you don’t pay
enough in taxes. Here’s an easy way for you to pay more. And if
you’re not willing to put up, then shut up.
