"Whether it is in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq or even in the U.S., as we've seen in recent years, war takes its heaviest toll on the poorest. It is a profound mistake to believe that military force is a solid foundation for peace." —Kathy Kelly and Dan Pearson "The Rotten Fruits of War" NYC war tax resisters redirected nearly $30,000 on tax day from war to peace and human needs. Join thousands who refuse to pay for war. Join the War Tax Boycott. Photo by Tom Good/Next Left Notes.

A People’s Campaign to Defund War

In sending thousands more troops to Afghanistan, President Obama is listening to the wrong generals. He should listen to former president and general Dwight Eisenhower: "I think people want peace so much that one of these days government had better get out of their way and let them have it."

The War Tax Boycott campaign unites taxpayers who oppose endless war in a powerful act of nonviolent civil disobedience — saying NO! to war with our money. No to the continuing war and occupation of Iraq. No to the war in Afghanistan. No to drone attacks and increased fighting in Pakistan. No to billions more dollars buying thousands more deaths and injuries, both military and civilian. All around us—in the U.S. and around the world—there are people and programs that could benefit from a tiny percentage of the money that is spent by all governments on war.

As signers to the War Tax Boycott, we have decided we cannot wait for governments to end war. We are cutting off our individual connection to war by refusing some or all of the federal tax dollars that fund war. Some of us are living on low incomes so as not to pay for war. Some of us are refusing $100 in protest. Some of us are refusing 100% of any federal income taxes owed.

Thousands of individuals in the U.S. take this stand despite the risks. Uniting our voices and actions through the War Tax Boycott strengthens our demand that the U.S. government cut off the funds for war and redirect resources to the pressing needs of people. And if the government won't cut off the funds, we will.

The War Tax Boycott was initiated in September 2007 by the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee (NWTRCC) and is endorsed by Voices for Creative Nonviolence, War Resisters League, Think Outside The Bomb National Tour 2010, and the Maine WTR Resource Center. The War Tax Boycott campaign is also supported by the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance, Veterans for Peace, Nonviolent Direct Action Working Group of United for Peace and Justice.

Since 2007 signers to the War Tax Boycott have redirected over $400,000 to humanitarian programs, including medical aid for Katrina survivors, support for Iraqi refugees in Jordan, food banks, programs for the homeless, books for prisoners, environmental projects, peace groups, and hundreds of other nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and around the world.

Please contact NWTRCC if your group is interested in co-sponsoring or promoting the War Tax Boycott campaign.

Click here to learn more about the Cost of War ticker.
For information on casualties, see Iraq Body Count or an alternate analysis of civilian casualties at JustForeignPolicy.

Refusal and Redirection

Refusing to pay taxes because of war is an act of civil disobedience, but it also provides the opportunity to use that money for positive, healing, and rebuilding programs. War tax boycott participants are encouraged to plan to redirect their resisted taxes to programs that aid victims of war or provide the services that we wish our tax dollars were supporting.

• The Getting Started in War Tax Resistance guide will help you prepare to refuse to pay for war, to understand the consequences, and to redirect your war taxes.
• The War Tax Boycott and Redirection builds toward Tax Day each year. If you would like to sign on as a resister or receive more information to prepare for tax season, please submit the online Registration Form or download the form here and mail it in.
• Click here to see a list of public signers