"They kill twice. First, they directly enable war. . .
Particularly paying for weapons. Second, taxes allocated for
war represent a distortion of priorities. Money is taken away
from the important work of healing and is spent to destroy and
kill."
- Marian Franz on war taxes
How does one remember a person, now departed, with whom
one has worked for a quarter century? I remember Marian Franz
as leader, prophet, captain of the ship, friend. We in the National
Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund (NCPTF) were so fortunate when
Marian joined us, from her previous work in Dunamis, a Christian
organization in Washington, D.C. working with leaders on public
policy issues. Before that, she and her husband Delton engaged
in interracial and civil rights work in the Chicago area.
Since 1982, as the Executive Director of NCPTF, she was the
inspired and inspiring leader of the organization, which works
for passage of Peace Tax Fund legislation in the U.S. Congress.
I think of her as I think of Susan B. Anthony-absolutely committed
to the ideal of gaining recognition, in law, of what is an inalienable
right-in this instance, the right of conscientious objection
to military taxation (COMT). She had tremendous energy and vision,
broad knowledge, and wonderful gifts of writing and speaking.
She handled skillfully the many details of leading NCPTF, a
relatively small organization grappling with large issues and
large institutions. In 1986, she began her work for COMT at
the international level, working with colleagues around the
world in the organization that became Conscience and Peace Tax
International (CPTI), helping this organization to bring the
COMT issue to the attention of United Nations Human Rights bodies.
Marian balanced effectively her leadership of NCPTF and lobbying
in Congress for the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill, while
recognizing the importance of working collaboratively with groups
having similar goals and nonviolent approaches to societal change.
She contributed important insights in the founding of the Faith
and Politics Institute of Washington, D.C., and, traveling parallel
paths to the same goal, maintained close contacts with the National
War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee (NWTRCC), joining
with NWTRCC in sponsoring the 8th International Conference on
War Tax Resistance and Peace Tax Campaigns in Washington, D.C.
in 2000.
Marian lived a life of integrity, faithfulness, compassion,
and broad vision. She leaves us with the tools and the inspiration
to carry on her work.
- David R. Bassett, Pittsford, NY
I knew of Marian a dozen or more years before I learned
to know her personally. Back then she was larger than life-a
native of rural Kansas who was walking the halls of Congress
and reporting at Mennonite conferences.
Then we both went to the 1996 "Taxes for Peace, Not War" conference
in England. Before the international conference we met in London
and took a train to Canterbury for a day. Later we worked together
with Karen Marysdaughter, Mary Loehr, and David Bassett to plan
the international conference in Washington DC.
I learned that this person who could speak persuasively to
powerful national and world leaders was also very human and
vulnerable. She dealt with fears and losses; went without a
paycheck for months at a time when money didn't come in; was
sometimes misunderstood; cared for her husband when he was afflicted
with Alzheimer's; and then dealt with cancer.
Of the many words that can describe Marian, the one that keeps
coming to mind is persistent. She had a goal, and she did everything
she could to work for its fulfillment. Nothing could stop her
until the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund bill became law-or
so I thought. Cancer did, but her legacy lives on. For as she
said at our 2005 NWTRCC meeting in New York City, "No witness
for conscience is ever lost."
- Susan Balzer, Hesston, KS
I first met Marian Franz in 1984, when she hired me
to work on the staff of the NCPTF. I moved from Massachusetts
to Washington, DC, to work for the campaign. Marian was an amazing
person and a pure joy to work with. I've continued working with
NCPTF in varying capacities over the years. All that time Marian
was spirited, energetic, driven, prophetic, funny, pragmatic,
frugal, organized, and well respected by many. Most importantly
to me, she was a supportive friend-supportive of the many life
changes I made since I first met her, including becoming a war
tax resister. She sometimes spoke of a future where I would
visit her when she was very old to share memories. She expected
to live a long life, as both her parents did. But that did not
happen. I miss her and she is missed by countless others. She
was a true gift and a pleasure to know.
- Steven Kretzmann (aka Stevik), Philadelphia, PA
I first met Marian when she came to Seattle one time
to promote the Peace Tax Fund bill. I helped organize some of
the gatherings and spent time with her getting to venues, setting
up, and sharing meals. She met my family and told me about hers,
and we began a friendship that spanned two decades. Over the
years we met at numerous NWTRCC meetings and a couple of international
conferences. One thing that stands out in my memory was how
warm she was every time we reconnected, always asking about
my family and our latest antics. She was always so easy to be
with, a person at peace with herself and projecting that to
others around her.
And along with that interior peace, there was such determination-determination
to work for the Peace Tax Fund bill because it was important
and necessary. Maybe Marian had internal doubts, but I never
saw them, and I'll bet that few ever did. She believed in conscientious
objection for taxpayers, and she worked tirelessly to promote
it and educate about it. At our WTR strategy conference last
year, she spoke about the real pleasure she took in lobbying
on Capitol Hill. She made connections, talked persuasively,
and deepened the understanding of legislators and their staff.
Marian was a great friend to NWTRCC as an organization. In
our early days as a network, there was tension among some of
the groups, and potential splits between the WTR movement and
peace tax fund supporters. Probably more than anyone else, Marian
eased the conflict, and she did it so gracefully that it looked
effortless. She came to meetings, talked about us as part of
a whole, and after awhile, most folks forgot that there had
been a problem. She was present, she spoke up for what we all
believed in, and NWTRCC is stronger for it. On so many levels,
she will be dearly missed.
- Carolyn Stevens, Seattle, WA
I met Marian at my first NWTRCC meeting in 1991. She
stood out then, and always, because she dressed so impeccably
and had every lovely silver hair in place. Not the usual appearance
among war tax resisters at NWTRCC meetings. (I complained more
than once that she made me feel quite dowdy in comparison.)
Despite her professional attire and despite the fact that
many WTRs did not see the Peace Tax Fund and its adherents as
part of "our" movement, Marian was always completely at ease
at NWTRCC gatherings. She not only saw herself as part of "our"
movement, but saw the rest of us as part of "her" movement.
She made it clear over and over again that resisters were crucial
to her work and that we inspired her to keep on going.
What I will remember most about Marian was her tireless effort
on behalf of the right to conscientious objection to military
taxes. Who would not have become discouraged by the enormity
of the task and the snail's pace of progress? But she plugged
away year after year, writing and speaking from the heart, with
amazing cheerfulness. Although I still haven't managed to acquire
her sartorial elegance, she will always be one of my role models.
- Karen Marysdaughter, Monroe, ME
Marian attended the biannual international conferences
on peace tax campaigns and war tax resistance from the first
one in 1986 through 2004, only missing one conference in that
time. She gave stimulating workshops on how to lobby congress/parliament.
She kept us focused on personal conscience on the one hand and
the attention for the victims of war/weapons on the other. Marian
was there at the birth of Conscience and Peace Tax International
in 1994 during the Fifth International Conference. Indeed, when
the idea was first mooted at the Brussels conference two years
earlier she had been among those who were enthusiastic about
the possibility of an organization to lobby at the international
level. She served as Vice-Chair of the CPTI Board from the outset,
and Acting Chair from 2004. It was thanks to Marian's typical
persuasiveness in presenting our case to the NGO Committee in
New York that in 1999 that CPTI was duly granted "Special Consultative
Status" with the UN Economic and Social Council.
- Taken from notes sent by Dirk Panhuis (Belgium) and a letter
from the board of CPTI honoring Marian in September 2006
Marian was a member of Hyattsville, Maryland, Mennonite
Church, where a memorial service will be held at 2 pm, Feb.
17, 2007. Memorials may be sent to support Mennonite Central
Committee, PO Box 500, Akron, PA 17501, http://www.mcc.org.
[Return to List of Headlines]
This year April 15 falls on a Sunday, so the last day to file
is Monday, April 16. Is your group planning workshops and actions
for the time between now and tax day? Be sure to let the NWTRCC
office know what you have scheduled, and we'll post your events
on the website and share ideas among groups. If you go to www.nwtrcc.org,
you will see a link to the "Programs and Gatherings" page. We
list war tax related activities around the country, with local
contacts and links to your website if you have one. The NWTRCC
website gets about 600 visitors a day, so you never know when
someone in your area might be looking.
Here in the NWTRCC office we are hearing from many people
anxious to see a campaign of low-level resistance get going-such
as refusing $10 of income taxes due. Despite our desires at
the national level to build such a campaign for this tax season,
the momentum hasn't really developed. We are a small network
and need a larger group to help spearhead it; we decided to
continue the survey to better demonstrate to other groups the
readiness of many peace activists to participate in a coordinated
WTR campaign. However, this does not stop local groups from
starting such campaigns in their communities. After all, it
is often a small grassroots effort that begins to get picked
up by more and more groups and leads to a more visible national
campaign.
Be sure to see pages 4-5 for NWTRCC's many resources to help
with your tax season activities. If you don't see what you need,
let us know. We are here to help you!
[Return to List of Headlines]
Taxable Income Level
NWTRCC offers the standard deductions/personal exemption chart
as a guide for people who choose to live below the taxable income.
IRS standard deduction and exemption amounts are adjusted annually
for cost-of-living increases.
To figure out how much you can earn in 2007 before owing income
taxes, identify your category and multiply the personal exemption
by the number of dependents you can claim, including yourself,
then add your standard deduction. For example, if you are married
and filing jointly, with two children, you would add $13,600
($3,400 x 4) to $10,700, equaling a taxable level of $24,300.
Below this amount your family would owe no income taxes for
the year (for filing requirements see below). This calculation
also gives the amount of income the IRS needs to leave you to
live on during the year if they are garnishing your wages. This
formula does not apply to Social Security taxes.
2007 IRS Deductions and Exemptions
| Category |
Standard |
Personal |
| |
Deduction |
Exemption |
| ____________________________ |
___________ |
___________ |
| Single |
$5,350 |
$3,400 |
| Married, filing jointly |
$10,700 |
$3,400 |
| Married, filing separately |
$5,350 |
$3,400 |
| Head of household |
$7,850 |
$3,400 |
| ____________________________ |
___________ |
___________ |
An additional $1,050 standard deduction may be claimed by
a married
taxpayer who is at least 65 years old or blind. If the taxpayer
is single,
the additional standard deduction amount is $1,300.
If you choose to file, it is possible to exceed these income
levels, but end up owing no tax (including receiving back 100%
of any withholding) by using such options as the Earned Income
Credit; taking allowances for dependents; making use of pension
funds or health benefit plans that reduce one's taxable income;
itemizing charitable deductions; and taking deductions such
as for at-home businesses. NWTRCC does not give specific advice
on filling out tax forms or ways to reduce taxable income, but
look for the updated Practical #5 booklet later in February
for more information and resources on this.
Filing Threshold for 2006 taxes: The maximum gross income
adults can make before the IRS requires a federal income tax
return to be filed for 2006 taxes depends on your filing status
(over 65 in parentheses): Single: $8,450 ($9,700); Married filing
jointly, $16,900 ($18,900); Head of Household, $10,850 ($12,100).
The exceptions are: Married, filing separately, is $3,300, and
surviving spouse is $13,600.
The details for these categories and more are in the 1040 instruction
booklet, section "Do You Have To File?" This information
is not intended to encourage one method or another but to provide
the basis for informed decisions.
Telephone Tax Legislation
The legislation to drop the telephone excise tax on local phone
service was not heard in the last Congress, but two bills to repeal
the tax have been introduced in the Senate. In January 2007, S.
140 was introduced by Sen. Charles Schumer (NY),and S.170 was
introduced by Sen. John Ensign (NV). Both have been referred to
the Senate Finance Committee You can track the progress online
at http://www.govtrack.us/.
Tax Advocate on Private Collection
There are various tidbits of interesting information in the "2006
Report to Congress" from the National Taxpayer Advocate, an independent
office created to monitor the IRS for the public. We don't know
if Congress pays any attention to these reports or not, but it
is always possible that some representative will seize on something
in the report and demand change.
- Among the current recommendations to Congress is to repeal
private debt collection provisions. In previous issues we
have alerted readers that the IRS has hired private collection
agencies to pursue low level debtors. Nina E. Olson, the Tax
Advocate, finds that although the IRS specified that these
agencies must follow IRS procedures, the private companies
have their own procedures that include psychological techniques
to coax debtors into paying. The companies did not want to
share their procedures with the advocate's office. In addition
she points out that a costs and benefits analysis shows that
this program has very limited benefits. Of course, the IRS's
own tests of private collection in the 1990s showed this too,
but the program was instituted anyway.
- In discussing collection policies, the report recommends
that the IRS use personal intervention earlier in the process.
"Rather than intervening early and making personal contact
with taxpayers, the IRS often waits until taxpayers' debts
become so large that they warrant the intervention of much
more expensive IRS field collection personnel." She notes
that the government is harmed because the IRS collects only
about 15 cents on the dollar on tax debts that are two years
old and virtually nothing on tax debts that are older than
three years.
- In FY 2006, the IRS reported more delinquent tax dollars
as "currently not collectible" (CNC) than it actually collected
on active balance due accounts, installment agreement accounts,
and offers in compromise combined. Once accounts are designated
with CNC status, IRS data for the preceding six years show
the agency collected less than 2 percent of the amounts due.
- WTRs who are subject to the 15% levy on their social security
payments may be interested to know that the Advocate is watching
this program, called the Federal Payment Levy Program (FPLP).
She notes about 84 percent of FPLP levies have been imposed
against Social Security payments to the elderly or disabled,
many of whom are fully dependent on these benefits to cover
their basic living expenses. The IRS does not have screens
in place to protect vulnerable, low income taxpayers from
these automated levies, a system the Advocate recommends.
[Return to List of Headlines]
NWTRCC received a grant of $600 from the Conscience and Military
Tax Campaign fund administered by the Nonviolent Action Community
of Cascadia. The funds will be used for expenses of the web video
contest.
Thanks also to these groups who have contributed since our last
issue. Your support is really (really!) appreciated:
Mennonite Central Committee
War Resisters League New England
Christians for Peace (VA)
[Return to List of Headlines]
As this newsletter was being prepared, we learned that Bob
Giles, our contact in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and friend of nearly
two decades, died of cancer in December 2006. We are so sorry
to hear this news. Our thoughts go out to his friends and family.
[Return to List of Headlines]
Conscientious Objection to Military Taxation:
A Group Legal Action Conference
February 23-25, 2007,
Powell House, Old Chatham, NY
Some American taxpayers cannot provide funds for any form of military
activity as a matter of individual religious conscience. A group
of us will assemble to consider, organize, and commence concerted
legal action to call for federal tax laws that accommodate our
rights of conscience. A similar group of people in the United
Kingdom, the Peace Tax Seven, has taken this type of case through
their national legal system and is now proceeding on to the European
Court of Human Rights. One member of the Peace Tax Seven will
be attending this conference. Dan Jenkins, who is working his
own case through U.S. tax court and appeals, is an organizer of
this event. It is co-sponsored by the New York Yearly Meeting
Subcommittee on Conscientious Objection to Military Taxation.
The cost for the weekend is $180 for adults with reduced rates
for young people and commuters; some scholarships are available.
For more information contact Jens Braun at sjbraun@taconic.net.
To register contact Powell House at http://www.powellhouse.org,
info@powellhouse.org
or (518) 794-8811.
The Ever-Popular Penny Poll
Now is the time to prepare your penny poll display. Some groups
go for the simple jars and hand lettered sign, and others are
getting fancier, with plastic tubing and overhead signs. If you
would like information on how to set up a penny poll, contact
the NWTRCC office. Consider setting up your poll during actions
on March 19, anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.
The tried and true penny poll is still a good way to draw people
to your table and interact with passers by.
Sacred Peace Walk
March 27-April 1, 2007
The annual pilgrimage from Las Vegas to the Nevada Test Site begins
on Tuesday, March 27, in Las Vegas and concludes at the gates
of the test site on Sunday, April 1. There will also be an optional
action on Monday, April 2 to reach out to the Test Site workers.
Walk in the footsteps of a long legacy of peace walkers and spiritual
leaders to draw attention to the nuclear dangers that continue
to threaten our sacred planet and the community of life.
For more information contact Nevada Desert Experience, 1420
W. Barlett Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89106, (702) 646-4814, http://www.nevadadesertexperience.org.
Promote the Video Contest
There's still time to enter the contest, and there's still time
to get the word out! Use this simple write up to advertise the
contest to media programs at schools in your area, or go to the
web link for a flyer that you can download and mail out or post
in your community.
Video Contest
Use your talents to spread
the word about a simple tool
to help stop war.
Length: 30 seconds to 4 minutes
Exposure: National distribution
Topic: Taxes for Peace, Not for War!
Deadline: Feb 28, 2007
Prizes: 1st-$300, 2nd-$200, 3rd-$100
Make a film that will
make a difference!
National War Tax Resistance
Coordinating Committee (NWTRCC)
PO Box 150553, Brooklyn, NY11215
(800) 269-7464 · nwtrcc@nwtrcc.org
Attract Attention with WTR Posters
Hang a NWTRCC poster from your literature table or carry one at
the next antiwar demonstration. These eye catching posters from
The San Francisco Print Collective in conjunction with Northern
California War Tax Resistance make the connection between war
and taxes with a variety of creative WTR messages and images.
All nine posters and the prices ($5-$10) can be viewed on
our website at http://www.nwtrcc.org/newposters06.htm,
or contact the office and we'll mail you a description and an
order form.
Film Screenings
Filmmaker Robbie Leppzer reports from his recent film screening
tour to college campuses that his 1997 film, An Act of Conscience
still has quite an impact on audiences today. Narrated by actor
Martin Sheen, this feature length documentary chronicles the story
of a family in western Massachusetts whose home was seized after
they publicly refused to pay federal taxes as a protest against
war and military spending. Leppzer was also screening his new
film Peace Patriots. To learn more about these films and setting
up a screening see http://www.turningtide.com
or call (800) 557-6414.
[Return to List of Headlines]
New Stickers!
After selling out of an old batch of "Your Tax Dollars Arm the
World" stickers, we decided to make new ones. They are 4in. x
4in., black and white stickers with "Resist" and the NWTRCC website
on each sticker. Use them on envelopes, flyers, as a give-away,
or to decorate some public spot of your choice. We're thinking
about putting the design on a tee shirt-what do you think?
Stickers are 3 for $1 or 100 for $30 plus $2.50 postage from
NWTRCC.
Everything for Tax Day
Be sure to stock up on your leafleting and tabling materials for
tax day! All bulk orders have postage in addition to the cost
of materials and can be invoiced. Below are a few options. See
the website (http://www.nwtrcc.org/publications.htm)
for a full list or call theNWTRCC office for a copy of our Resource
List.
- Peace Tax Return brochure - 8¢ each
- "Where Your Income Tax Money Really Goes" - pie chart flyer
from War Resisters League - 10¢ each for orders of 200 or
fewer (WRL handles larger orders: 339 Lafayette St., NY, NY
10012, 212-228-0450).
- "Why Isn't Everyone Who's For Peace A War Tax Resister?
Answers to Common Questions" - (brochure style) 15¢ each general
orders, 12¢ each for affiliates (or download the flyer version
from our website publications page)
- War Tax Resistance: A Guide to Withholding Your Support
from the Military, 144 page book. $15 each plus $2 postage
(call for bulk rates)
- Practical War Tax Resistance Series ($1 each; 50¢ for affiliates)
- #1: Controlling Withholding (updated Jan. 2006); #2: To
File Or Not To File; #3: How To Resist Collection; #4: Self-Employment;
#5: Low Income/Simple Living (update available by the end
of February); #6: Organizational Resistance; #7 "Healthy,
Wealthy, and Wise: Aging and War Tax Resistance.
- WTR Exhibit - six 22in. x 34in. posters (not mounted).
$30 postpaid
- "Ask Me About War Tax Resistance" buttons. Single buttons
free. Call about bulk orders.
Order all the above from the NWTRCC office, PO Box 150553,
Brooklyn, NY 11215, (800) 269-7464, or by Paypal from our website,
http://www.nwtrcc.org/publications.htm.
Downloads
Check the NWTRCC web page, http://www.nwtrcc.org/downloadable.htm,
for flyers and outreach materials that you can print and hand
out.There are also a few different web link buttons to post on
your website and link to NWTRCC. Make sure web visitors to your
website are getting the best information about war tax resistance!
[Return to List of Headlines]
Did You Sign On??
We enclosed a sign-on statement in the last issue. If you still
have it and forgot to mail it in, please do. We need your signature
in writing to add you to the list we publicize-and of course the
more signatures the better it looks. You can also print the form
from http://www.nwtrcc.org/Iraq_pages/Iraq_sign-on.pdf and send
it in or email us your name to add to the list. NWTRCC, PO Box
150553, Brooklyn, NY 11215 or fax to (718) 768-4388. Please let
us know that you are a signer!
Nominations Needed!
YOU just might be the person we need for NWTRCC's Administrative
Committee (AdComm). Nominations are being accepted for 2 new alternate
members to help with organizational decision-making and process
who will be selected at the May 2007 meeting. Terms start after
the meeting. Alternates serve three years total: one year as alternate
plus two as full members. Meetings are twice a year with occasional
emails and phone calls during the year. Current members are Susan
Balzer* (KS), Daniel Woodham* (NC), Alice Liu (CA), Clark Hanjian
(MA), Robert Randall (GA, alternate), and Pam Allee (OR, alternate).
Please contact the NWTRCC office for a job description, or send
in nominations, and we will follow up with further details. Affiliate
groups should make a special effort to offer nominations. Self
nominations are welcome! The deadline is March 14, 2007.
*terms end in May
Save the Date(s)
The next National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee meeting
and gathering will be held May 4-6, 2007, the first weekend in
May. The meeting will probably be held in Massachusetts, but we
are just beginning to work on the plans, so stay tuned for more
details. Our fall meeting will be held in or near Newton, Kansas,
November 2-4. At both meetings we'll be celebrating NWTRCC's 25th
anniversary. The war tax resistance conference that founded NWTRCC
was held in Washington, DC, in September 1982.
[Return to List of Headlines]
Grants Awarded
The Nonviolent Action Community of Cascadia (NACC) announced its
2006 grants recently. NWTRCC is happy to have been a recipient
of $600 to support our video contest. Other awardees are the Appalachian
Peace and Justice Network (OH), $950 for community-based counter-recruitment
in Athens County high schools; Currents of Justice for Peace (OR),
$500 for counter-recruitment, education and response to the occupation
of Iraq, and laying the groundwork for a Human Rights Commission
in Union County; Justice Works! (WA), $1,000 to help block future
expansion of the Washington State Prison System; The Military
Draft & Counseling Project of WRL-Oregon, $500 for ongoing student
outreach efforts in Portland-area schools; Peacemakers' Society,
Cameroon, $2,000 for training of women group-leaders in conflict
zones of the North West Province; and South Dakota Peace & Justice
Center, $1,500 to continue state-wide counter-recruitment work.
NACC administers the Conscience and Military Tax Campaign
(CMTC) Escrow Account, a fund for resisted war taxes, but it
is also open to anyone who would like to open an account and
lend a hand to the movement. While war tax resistance is a form
of civil disobedience, the Escrow Account itself is perfectly
legal. So, while CMTC has never surrendered resisted deposits
to the IRS, there's nothing the IRS could even say about non-tax-resisted
deposits.
The interest from the account accrues to NACC and is then
passed on through its grant program. But the account is also
helpful in another way: CMTC funds are held in progressive lending
institutions, which offers a double-benefit for depositors.
First, they lend to community (especially minority) interests
that often cannot otherwise obtain loans; and second, they are
not invested in places such as those nasty, icky World Bank
Bonds, those nasty, icky multinational death corporations, or
other nasty, icky financial actors. For more information
regarding the CMTC Escrow account see http://seanacc.org
or contact the NACC office at 4554-12th Ave NE, Seattle, WA
98105, (206) 547-0952, Email: nacc@drizzle.com
Annual Workshop & Meeting of
Maine WTR & Supporters
Saturday, February 10, 10 am - 3 pm
(snow date: Feb.11, same time/place)
Maine Equal Justice Project office, 126 Sewall St., Augusta
(across from state capitol & ME State Library)
More info: Larry Dansinger, ME WTR Resource Center,
rosc@psouth.net · (207)
525-7776
[Return to List of Headlines]
Nancy and Gary T. Guthrie
Available soon in the NWTCC office and on the website will
be an updated edition of Practical War Tax Resistance #5,
"Resisting War Taxes through Low Income/Simple Living." We
were lucky to have David Gross in California volunteer to edit
the update, and in the process he led some of us into the land
of new technology with a wiki copy of the update on the internet.
This allowed a committee to read and make changes to the same
copy online, saving a lot of confusion of patching different edits
together. The profile below updates the story of the Guthries
from the first edition, but this new edition is also full of new
information, ideas, and profiles of people who find different
ways to refuse taxes while keeping their income low. Printed copies
will be $1 plus postage and should be available by the end of
February.
In the 1996 version of this brochure, our son was 8 years old.
He is now 18 and will be graduating from high school in 2007.
Although we can no longer claim him for Earned Income Credit,
the college tax credit will come into play as a strategy for
keeping our income below the federal taxable level for the next
few years. His college will be funded by a combination of merit-based
scholarships, work, and savings. Eric is fortunate that his
grandparents gave us a sizeable gift when he was young that
has now grown into savings he can use for his education.
We just finished our tenth season of operating Growing Harmony
Farm CSA (community supported agriculture). Being self-employed
provides flexibility in our total income. We can expand markets
or contract them as we need to increase or decrease our income.
Nancy works half-time at Iowa State University, so our health
benefits are covered. Of course growing vegetables lowers our
food expense considerably. We also contribute the maximum amount
into an IRA account and can contribute extra into Nancy's retirement
benefits to lower our income if necessary. Living on Gary's
parents farm, we do not pay rent or need to buy a home as the
family has set up a trust for the farm property. We have the
security of living here as long as we are able.
We enjoy the challenge of living joyfully maladjusted and
relating to members of our CSA community. We come from a Christian-based
community perspective after living and working in El Salvador
for three years in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Our CSA community
allows us to supply good food to folks who need it and live
in the U.S. culture even as we question how to live here with
integrity.
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