At what point(if ever) would a person be justified in “cheating” on their taxes? I’m not asking for permission to do so or anything, haha. But hypothetically, how much is too much? At what point does it become unjust? I mean, the top taxpayers are already paying a pretty hefty amount (around 1/3 of their earnings), so how much is too much? 50%? 75%? More? When (if ever) would “render unto Ceasar” cease to apply?
No, you would never be justified in lying on a tax return form. For the wealthy, it may be a third of their earnings, but there is plenty left over to cover their needs, if not their wants. If we said that Christ’s teachings cease to apply in certain cases, then you open the door to abortion because the person doesn’t want a child or sexually abuse of children because the paedophile has those fantasies.
Taxes are used for things like healthcare for children and the elderly, education and child protection. However much tax you pay, you are never justified in avoiding paying some of it. A one-third rate for the highest earners is much lower than most countries and many well known top-earners have publically asked the US government to make them pay **more **tax for the good of the country. More tax dollars mean more money to get the economy out recession, caused by bankers (most of whom pay that one-third rate).
I have good friends who are top-rate tax payers in a Scandinavian country. They are happy to pay it and consider it their duty to do so. My friend said that she earns that amount as a result of the education she received, the healthcare that allowed her to overcome the medical condition she developed and many other government funded services. She considers it part of her debt to society.
Avoiding taxes is fraud, a criminal act. People who feel “justified” in avoiding paying some or all of their taxes, because “they’re too high”, are the same people who moan about “their taxes” being used for new prisons, education programs for prisoners or drug rehabilitation programs. When it comes to their own criminal activity, however, it’s “different”.
You cannot commit fraud to protest against abortion, two wrongs do not make a right. It would also mean that other people could do the same because taxes are spent on the military and they’re pacifists, or because they’re Christian and the President was Mormon.
If you are wealthy and live in a first world, democratic country (and you do) then God has blessed you abundantly. It would be theft to keep back money that God has given you. Remember Jesus praising the widow who gave all the money she had to the Temple, while the rich gave only what they felt they could spare.
A huge chunk of taxes are used to fund the military, so you would be keeping back money that would pay the wages of someone who is willing to die to protect you.
To commit tax fraud is to take money from children, the sick, the elderly and many other vulnerable members of society. Jesus told us the final test for entering Heaven would be a judgement of how we treated the hungry, the thirsty, the homeless, the immigrant, the sick and prisoners, because how we treat the lowest of those is how we treat Christ Himself. Based on that, tax fraud is stealing from Christ.
