Goodbye April 15th: A Book Review
Goodbye April 15th: A Book Review
Goodbye April 15th is a book by Boston T. Party and Kenneth W. Royce that challenges the legality and morality of the income tax system in the United States. The authors claim that the income tax is unconstitutional, voluntary, and can be legally avoided by following their advice. They also expose the corruption and abuses of the IRS and the federal government, and offer practical solutions for restoring liberty and prosperity to the American people.
Goodbye April 15th Pdf Download
The book was published in 1999 by Javelin Press, and is currently out of print and hard to find[^4^]. It has received positive reviews from some readers who found it informative, eye-opening, and empowering[^6^]. However, it has also been criticized by others who found it misleading, inaccurate, and dangerous[^1^]. The book is not intended as legal advice, and the authors warn that anyone who follows their suggestions may face serious consequences from the authorities.
Goodbye April 15th is a controversial and provocative book that challenges the status quo and offers a radical alternative to the income tax system. It is not for everyone, but for those who are interested in learning more about the history, legality, and morality of taxation, it may be worth a read.The history of income taxes in the United States goes back to the Civil War, when Abraham Lincoln signed into law the nationâs first-ever tax on personal income to help pay for the Union war effort[^3^]. After it was repealed a decade later, Congress tried again in 1894, enacting a flat rate federal income tax. However, the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional the following year, arguing that it was a direct tax that had to be apportioned among the states according to population[^2^].
The idea of an income tax was brought back in the 16th Amendment to the Constitution, which was ratified in 1913 and established Congress' right to impose a federal income tax without regard to apportionment among the states[^3^]. The same year, Congress enacted a progressive income tax system with seven brackets and rates ranging from 1% to 7%[^1^]. The top rate increased to 77% in 1918 to finance World War I, and then fell to 24% in 1929. The Great Depression and World War II led to another surge in income tax rates, reaching a peak of 94% in 1944-45[^2^].
After the war, income tax rates gradually declined, reaching a low of 28% for the top bracket in 1988-90 under President Ronald Reagan's tax reforms. However, subsequent administrations raised the rates again, reaching 39.6% in 1993 under President Bill Clinton. President George W. Bush lowered the top rate to 35% in 2001-03, and President Barack Obama restored it to 39.6% in 2013. The most recent change came in 2017 under President Donald Trump, who reduced the top rate to 37% as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act[^1^].Income taxes can be reduced by taking advantage of various deductions and credits that are available to eligible taxpayers. Deductions can reduce the amount of income that is subject to tax, while credits can directly reduce the amount of tax owed or increase the amount of tax refund[^1^].
Some of the common deductions that taxpayers can claim include:
The standard deduction, which is a fixed amount that varies by filing status and inflation. For 2021, the standard deduction is $12,550 for single filers, $18,800 for heads of households, and $25,100 for married couples filing jointly[^1^].
The itemized deductions, which are specific expenses that taxpayers can deduct if they exceed the standard deduction. Some of the itemized deductions include mortgage interest, state and local taxes, charitable contributions, medical expenses, and casualty and theft losses[^1^].
The above-the-line deductions, which are adjustments to income that taxpayers can deduct regardless of whether they take the standard or itemized deductions. Some of the above-the-line deductions include educator expenses, student loan interest, health savings account contributions, IRA contributions, and alimony payments[^1^].
Some of the common credits that taxpayers can claim include:
The earned income tax credit (EITC), which is a refundable credit for low- to moderate-income workers and families. The amount of the credit depends on the income level, filing status, and number of qualifying children. For 2021, the maximum credit ranges from $543 for taxpayers with no children to $6,728 for taxpayers with three or more children[^1^].
The child tax credit (CTC), which is a partially refundable credit for taxpayers with qualifying children under age 17. The amount of the credit is $2,000 per child, of which up to $1,400 is refundable. For 2021 only, the credit is increased to $3,000 per child ($3,600 for children under age 6), and is fully refundable and payable in advance[^1^].
The American opportunity tax credit (AOTC), which is a partially refundable credit for taxpayers who pay qualified education expenses for themselves or their dependents who are enrolled in an eligible college or university. The amount of the credit is 100% of the first $2,000 and 25% of the next $2,000 of qualified expenses per student, of which up to $1,000 is refundable[^1^].
The lifetime learning credit (LLC), which is a nonrefundable credit for taxpayers who pay qualified education expenses for themselves or their dependents who are enrolled in an eligible educational institution. The amount of the credit is 20% of up to $10,000 of qualified expenses per taxpayer[^1^].
0efd9a6b88