Revoking My Membership in...

[KBCraig]

You're looking for 26 USC 1402(g).

(g)  Members of certain religious faiths
...
    (E) such sect or division thereof has been in existence at all times since December 31, 1950.

Hmmm. I wonder how they deal with the Amish, who I think are recognized as exempt, but who constantly split and divide?

[Ron Helwig]

(1) Exemption
Any individual may file an application (in such form and manner, and with such official, as may be prescribed by regulations under this chapter) for an exemption from the tax imposed by this chapter if he is a member of a recognized religious sect or division thereof and is an adherent of established tenets or teachings of such sect or division by reason of which he is conscientiously opposed to acceptance of the benefits of any private or public insurance which makes payments in the event of death, disability, old-age, or retirement or makes payments toward the cost of, or provides services for, medical care (including the benefits of any insurance system established by the Social Security Act).

So you have to believe that basically ALL insurance is bad? That's one way they can get you.

and only if the Commissioner of Social Security finds that—
    (C) such sect or division thereof has the established tenets or teachings referred to in the preceding sentence,
    (D) it is the practice, and has been for a period of time which he deems to be substantial, for members of such sect or division thereof to make provision for their dependent members which in his judgment is reasonable in view of their general level of living, and
    (E) such sect or division thereof has been in existence at all times since December 31, 1950.

An obvious violation of the first amendment, with the government deciding which religions and/or sects are valid.

It seems to me that the answer is not to play their games, but to cease having income. I stopped having income almost two years ago, when I was laid off by my last employer.

[ReverendRyan]

(1) Exemption
Any individual may file an application (in such form and manner, and with such official, as may be prescribed by regulations under this chapter) for an exemption from the tax imposed by this chapter if he is a member of a recognized religious sect or division thereof and is an adherent of established tenets or teachings of such sect or division by reason of which he is conscientiously opposed to acceptance of the benefits of any private or public insurance which makes payments in the event of death, disability, old-age, or retirement or makes payments toward the cost of, or provides services for, medical care (including the benefits of any insurance system established by the Social Security Act).

So you have to believe that basically ALL insurance is bad? That's one way they can get you.

Or you can just interpret that as current private insurance schemes, which are so regulated as to be immoral.

When it comes to tax cases, they have to prove willfulness in skirting the laws, and until your interpretation of the law is "corrected" in court, you aren't subject to any criminal penalties, though you may still be forced to give up "back taxes".

In theory, anyway.

[karenijohnson]

TRACKED SSN LETTER will GET A REPLY >> Re: Revoking My Membership in...

folks-- we sent these kinds of letters to the SS administration in the 1980's. If you do things a little right you will get a letter that says you cannot cancel your social security number. You will not get your "SS deductions back". 

THE IRS has forms for
being a MINISTER and NOT PARTICIPATING in Social Security deductions.

ALSO RAILROAD workers, and i think US CONGRESSMAN have their OWN REPLACEMENT type system for SocSec..

IT IS YOUR CONTINUED use of THINGS that required the SocSec number (bank accounts, drivers license, credit cards, employment) that is causing your ongoing problems...

///

[J’raxis 270145]

(1) Exemption
Any individual may file an application (in such form and manner, and with such official, as may be prescribed by regulations under this chapter) for an exemption from the tax imposed by this chapter if he is a member of a recognized religious sect or division thereof and is an adherent of established tenets or teachings of such sect or division by reason of which he is conscientiously opposed to acceptance of the benefits of any private or public insurance which makes payments in the event of death, disability, old-age, or retirement or makes payments toward the cost of, or provides services for, medical care (including the benefits of any insurance system established by the Social Security Act).

So you have to believe that basically ALL insurance is bad? That's one way they can get you.

Or you can just interpret that as current private insurance schemes, which are so regulated as to be immoral.

Even in a completely free market, I believe insurance is a scam (it's a form of gambling where the best possible win is break-even) and therefore suppose I could say I'm "conscientiously opposed" to it.

[K. Darien Freeheart]

It took me way too long to get these scanned. :S



And scans of the form that was enclosed can be found here and here

Even in a completely free market, I believe insurance is a scam (it's a form of gambling where the best possible win is break-even)

I understand why you may feel that way but for me, insurance is a valuable thing. Insurance from the monetary value reimbursement perspective is a rip off, but it's not always the face value of the claim that is being purchased. If one can replace insurace items, insurance is essentially a waste of money, but not everyone is capable of doing it at that time.

IT IS YOUR CONTINUED use of THINGS that required the SocSec number (bank accounts, drivers license, credit cards, employment) that is causing your ongoing problems

I've already got bank accounts and a job. I'd be perfectly fine with them revoking that social security number now (Nobody has ever told my employeer that keeping someone without a SSN on the payroll is illegal). They're not willing to cancel that membership, so that is the problem, not the use of the number. I am perfectly willing to STOP using the number if they'd be willing to revoke it, but they are not.

An obvious violation of the first amendment, with the government deciding which religions and/or sects are valid.

I've got plenty of atheist, semi-socialist "friends" who might be interested in knowing that come of their God-believing fellows are exempted from taxation on religious grounds, so this may be useful for me even though I'm well aware the goverment people don't give a damn about their Constitution.

It seems to me that the answer is not to play their games, but to cease having income

My aim isn't to get out of the taxation per se. I want them to say "No, you're in and we'll be violent against you if you act otherwise.". I can't even get them to give me an honest answer. The "here, this is actually your money, and you'll be able to keep it!" is just a side effect, really. I already believe the government people are frauds and evidence is mounting every day. I simply want to get more proof from another angle and be able to use that to bring more people, if not to liberty, to questioning of "What the hell is happening here?"

[Porcupine_in_MA]

I've got plenty of atheist, semi-socialist "friends" who might be interested in knowing that come of their God-believing fellows are exempted from taxation on religious grounds, so this may be useful for me even though I'm well aware the goverment people don't give a damn about their Constitution.

Or this libertarian polytheist who is very interested in what particular religious groups get this special exemption.

[K. Darien Freeheart]

I haven't sent my responce back yet. Truthfully, I'm not sure how I want to proceed. I began with the assumption (Not saying I beleive it, but I did assume it in my approach) that the Constitution would matter to the bureaucrats. Now, it's pretty clear that the "consent of the governed" isn't relevant so I'm not sure if I should reply at a "But wait, I'm confused, the Constitution says..." kinda thing, or if I should be more "aggressive" in the "Okay, since you're tossing that out, it wasn't a request..." kinda way.

How would you push for that answer? She (or whomever wrote for her) was clear - point your questions to the IRS (which I will do!) but since she's in charge of the Social Security thingy I'll make sure she answers some questions first.

[J’raxis 270145]

I've got plenty of atheist, semi-socialist "friends" who might be interested in knowing that come of their God-believing fellows are exempted from taxation on religious grounds, so this may be useful for me even though I'm well aware the goverment people don't give a damn about their Constitution.

Or this libertarian polytheist who is very interested in what particular religious groups get this special exemption.

Any group that matches the highly specific criteria laid out in 26 USC 1402(g). They don't mention groups by name—which is probably intentional so as to survive First Amendment challenges—but it's written such that it only applies to the Amish and perhaps a scant few other similar groups.

[Porcupine_in_MA]

*Converts to an Amish*

[tchassis]

*Converts to an Amish*

seconding Amish conversion.