IRS Loses A Big One Yesterday....Jury acquits pilot, who questioned IRS

[cthrumatrix]

8-9-03


IRS Loses A Big One

Memphis Pilot Acquitted of Tax Evasion
Charged With Filing "False" W-4s

On Friday, a Memphis federal jury acquitted FedEx pilot Vernice Kuglin of six counts of felony Tax Evasion and Willful Failure to File tax returns.

Ms. Kuglin's attorneys, Tax Honesty Movement barristers Larry Becraft and Robert G. Bernhoft, told reporters that Kuglin was indicted seven months ago and had refused to plead the case out for a lesser sentence. During her testimony Kuglin testified that since 1995, she had sent numerous letters to the IRS requesting that they inform her of what law required her to pay the Individual Income Tax. To this day, she has not received an answer.

At 1:30 Friday afternoon, the jury returned not guilty verdicts on all counts.

After the jury had been excused the U.S. Attorney reportedly demanded that the Judge order the defendant to file her forms, pay her taxes and obey the law. The Judge reportedly replied "Sir, I don't work for the IRS."

more....
http://www.givemeliberty.org/mailroom/2003-08-09.htm

Now why would the IRS not inform this woman (since 1995) of any law that required her to pay taxes?

If court decisions set a precedent...what does this mean?

[MUAD_DIB]

1. In the words of Emperor Bunnypants

"It's your money!"

The pilot sounds like she is just taking this quote literally.


Does that mean that she hasn't paid for the invasion of Iraq and The Office of Homeland Security?


Good for her.

[Muddleoftheroad]

2. Also hasn't paid

For welfare, food stamps, education and every other government program. Irresponsible.

People who don't think they need to pay taxes are idiotic.

[savior93]

3. gov waste

we would be able to cut our personal income taxes in half, if both the dems and repubs were not so wasteful.

[Muddleoftheroad]

6. I doubt it

I think we could cut a bunch, but honestly, once I had done that, I'd spend it some other way. There are a lot of needs in the U.S.

[newyawker99]

11. Hi savior93!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[devarsi]

4. Apparently, the law was on her side

Perhaps she is irresponsible, but idotic?

Not anymore.

[Muddleoftheroad]

7. For now

This case will get squashed, as it should be, by some court or another. The government has the right and the need to tax.

[kysrsoze]

13. This is supposedly how you can avoid paying taxes...

You have to show a history of basically never filing tax returns. If you don't file a tax return, you have not "agreed" to being taxed and can then remove yourself from the list of taxpayers. It's a big fight, but it can be done. However, you'll never be eligible for any federal assistance, including Medicare, Social Security, etc.

Plus, anyone who absolutely refuses to pay taxes seems like an asshole to me. In addition to funding wars and all, it also pays for infrastructure, education, social programs, etc. It's leaching off the system if you ask me.

I would like to see some real fiscal responsibility in government and pay less taxes, but I was actually kind of insulted to receive my $400 check last week while knowing I'm going to pay much more than that in the form of state and local taxes, and future federal taxes to pay for the debt run-up.

[MUAD_DIB]

5. Cry me a river.

When * ever makes the corporations and rich pay their fair share then you can ask me the same question again.

Irresponsible has been putting up with the last 2+ years of this Chimp shit.

Idiotic is when we sit here and take it.

[Muddleoftheroad]

8. And that has nothing to do with it

We all have an obligation to pay taxes. This is just bullshit to try and avoid paying what you owe.

[unblock]

9. blah blah blah they can't show me the law that says taxes are mandatory

these idiots think a constitutional amendment was passed to permit the government to create a voluntary income tax?

[sandnsea]

10. Filing is voluntary

Nobody has to file. But you do have to pay the correct amount, as I understand it.

[depakid]

12. She might start by having a look at the Constitution-

Specifically, the 16th Amendment. The authority for the federal income tax code flows from there. After that, she should read the %#*^ pamhlet like everyone else does or hire an accountant.

It sounds to me like the IRS and the US Attorney were being overly zealous here. I understand the Willful Failure to File charges- but to evade you usually have to misstate or hide gross income on a required return. Simply adding too many dependents on a W-4 may come with a fine, but not felony charges-

Given that this was Tennessee- which has recently had bitter tax battles, I suspect what we have here is a case of jury nullification- basically just a jury saying fuck you to the IRS. Of course, it's not like the IRS doesn't have plenty of other recourse to make this woman's life miserable. I suspect the jury knew that, too.