Texas pilot Joe Stack, who set his house on fire and flew his airplane into an Internal Revenue Service in Austin, Texas, on February 18, was motivated by frustration with tax-protest activities, according to his suicide note.

Stack left a 3,000-word suicide note chronicling his troubles with the IRS over the past 15 years on his blog, according to the Washington Post:

I saw it written once that the definition of insanity is repeating the same process over and over and expecting the outcome to suddenly be different. I am finally ready to stop this insanity. Well, Mr. Big Brother IRS man, let’s try something different; take my pound of flesh and sleep well.

A key part of Stack's frustration with the IRS seemed to be his experience with self-professed “tax experts” who claimed they could find secret loopholes that would exempt Stack from income taxes:

Some friends introduced me to a group of people who were having "tax code" readings and  discussions. In particular, zeroed in on a section relating to the wonderful “exemptions” that make institutions like the vulgar, corrupt Catholic Church so incredibly wealthy. We carefully studied the law (with the help of some of the “best,” high-paid, experienced tax lawyers in the business), and then began to do exactly what the “big boys” were doing (except that we weren’t steeling from our congregation or lying to the government about our massive profits in the name of God).... That little lesson in patriotism cost me $40,000+, 10 years of my life, and set my retirement plans back to 0.... It also made me realize, not only how naive I had been, but also the incredible stupidity of the American public; that they buy, hook, line, and sinker, the crap about their "freedom.”

Stack had been led down a path to disappointment by being told he didn't have a legal obligation to pay income taxes, and by all appearances didn't intend to pay any more income taxes. "If Stack had intended to pay tax on the quarterly payment system, he would have had no advantage from getting out of withholding. Indeed, the paperwork burdens go up," University of Texas Law School Professor Calvin Johnson told the Austin American-Statesman. "I suspect he therefore had no intent to pay any tax, even when an independent contractor."

Rather than taking the more difficult task of lobbying Congress to repeal the income-tax laws, Stack had been sold a bill of goods by “experts” who falsely claimed they could find secret gnostic-like holes in the income-tax laws. Stack explained his experience of wasted time trying to prove income-tax laws didn't apply to individuals, a movement sometimes called the “sovereign citizens” movement:

During 1987, I spent close to $5000 of my "pocket change," and at least 1000 hours of my time writing, printing, and mailing to any senator, congressman, governor, or slug that might listen; none did, and they universally treated me as if I was wasting their time. I spent countless hours on the L.A. freeways driving to meetings and any and all of the disorganized professional groups who were attempting to mount a campaign against this atrocity.

The New American cautioned readers about the danger of this very movement back in 1997, with an article by this author entitled “Patriot Beware.” While it has long been a futile and disappointing path to try to disprove existence of the obvious income-tax laws, perhaps those frustrated with the IRS will take note of Stack's tragic example and turn their frustrations to a more fruitful effort, and will pool their resources to repeal both big-government spending and the repeal of the income-tax laws by Congress (as it had done in 1872).

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Brett said:

... Amazon.com Read "The Best Kept Secret" by Otto Skinner

February 19, 2010

Mikey Pinkie-rings said:

Brett, did you not read the article? I must disagree with attempting to promote Otto Skinner's book. The whole point is that such books will lead good people to be on the wrong side of the assumed legitimate IRS laws. I am not quibbling about the validity of their points, but who has the ability to force your compliance? If the IRS men have the guns and resources, then even if they are in the wrong, they can make you comply or make your life miserable in the process. In order to avoid paying the personal income tax, we must have the rest of the nation believing that it is not required. Your fellow man would have to share this view for it to be successful. Otherwise, even if you were absolutely correct, it wouldn't matter as they led you away in cuffs or confiscated your property. Let's change the laws.

February 19, 2010

Dixie Pixie said:

... The really sad part of this tale is governmental policy is implemented by low-level clerks following department policy. When the Law as written conflicts with department policy the clerks will always implement department policy despite the written law. They have to. If they don't they will be disciplined by the system. The low level clerks have no authority to overrule department policy and less reason to do so. That way the system is rigged in favor of the government despite the written law. Joe Stack's error was to go head to head with the IRS. In that sort of battle the IRS will win every time.

February 20, 2010

Thomas Paine said:

Freedom lovers beware! The Suicide note can be used by many sinister people with alterior motives. If another isolated attack occurs, the government can claim that the notes appeal for violent action is taking affect, thus giving the Government the excuse to shut down society. The writer of the note played both sides of the fence by attacking big government, then big business, then reciting the communist creed. This can be used by an oppresive homeland security to be used to justify attacks or support of any side: ie: claim the tea party people are violent, claim the Obama communist are violent, etc, etc. The result will be the same: Less Freedom, more 1984 Big Brother. If we follow the new Glenn Beck playbook, of being a nice middle of the road sheeple, we are doomed. However, any law breaking action will result in the same bad end. We must continue to push all truth in proper legal framework, while our constitutional framework still exists.

February 20, 2010

L. Terzi said:

Tangents and Neutralizers Tom, Thank you for re-addressing this problem and exposing the foolishness of "doing it the hard way" While I sympathize with the unfortunate Stack, he like many others ran down the wrong street and met frustration.In the long run it takes more courage and toughness to do things the correct and Constitutional way than any "quick fix" can.

February 20, 2010 | url

Damoe said:

I Do Not Mind A man commiting suicide over losing everything he spent his life gaining. But killing even one other, not to mention the the destruction of a building makes him a criminal. You can call him a terrorist or worse, but he was desperate and felt he needed to send a message. which he did. Joe should have walked out to the plains of Texas and killed himself. He would be labeled a hero now not a terrorist or a "desperato" of even more to come. Save my house from the bank, but take my small company that is my life, liveyhood and living. " Isn't there something in the constitution about that.

February 20, 2010

Brett said:

... Tinkie rings, You stated: "The whole point is that such books will lead good people to be on the wrong side of the assumed legitimate IRS laws" I strongly disagree with you. There is ACCURATE information out there. Read about Vernice Kuglin and Tommy Cryer online. Google their names. No need to "change the laws", there is nothing wrong with it.

February 21, 2010

Jon said:

... If we don't pay taxes, America ceases to exist. They have to pay for everything somehow. Military. Roads. Police. Water. Waste management. All those hours on C-Span ... However, that does not justify huge tax rates. Nor does it justify excessive government spending (except for the C-Span thing). We need fiscal responsibility by "our representatives." We the people. We hope. Personally, I would like to see a flat tax. Take 13% out of our pay. No tax returns to file. The IRS could shrink to an appropriate size. No more worries about the Ides of April. No more concerns about people defaulting on their taxes. Alas, to dream ...

February 21, 2010

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February 23, 2010 | url

Titus said:

The Devil in the Mirror I'm wondering when the disgruntled 55 year olds who make up that 60% bankrupt rate due to medical bills, with no decent retirement plans living in their children's basements, start to act out their more legitimate anger at the rest of us societal apologists.

February 23, 2010

Jofas said:

It doesn't fund the Federal Government The $915 Billion American's paid last year in Federal Income Tax does not fund our country. That amount would merely pay the annual INTEREST payment on the Federal Debt. Those that say paying the Federal Income Tax funds America, is not true. It doesn't. If the Federal Government was never given this amount for Congress to waste, we wouldn't have the gloated overspending Federal Government hellbent on global domination that we have. In the middle east several countries were going to create the Gulf Monetary Union and cease accepting the US dollar for oil. Somebody just paid off Saudi Arabia's debt and now the Gulf Monetary Union looks like it won't be formed. Guess who paid off their debt? Us saps likely. Prior to 'Free Trade' we used to tariff imports which funded the Federal Government and ensured American's could compete against slave labor places like China where wages are lower. When they got rid of that source of Federal Revenue that when our economy went sour with insufficient revenue to fund our Federal Government. Now they must use the printing press to fund the Federal Government since no country will loan us money anymore. Our standard of living has been destroyed and we can no longer find jobs. Federal Revenue from Federal Income Tax will continue to drop until 1-2 more years when it won't even be enough to fund the annual INTEREST payment on the Federal debt.

February 28, 2010