Income taxes do not pay for social programs, buy anything for the government, or pay for ANY GOVERNMENT program at all. Nope all the tax money goes to pay the interest on the money we have borrowed from the federal reserve. The USA BORROWS all the money it needs to pay for everything by selling interest bearing treasuries and bills. The 16th Amendment WAS NOT properly ratified. In fact several states completely changed the wording of the amendment before they would sign it, alas it did no good and the American public was hoodwinked once again. While the income tax started out as a VERY MINOR tax, it soon blossomed into the 42% tax it is today.
Those living under the poverty level generally pay very little tax, in fact some even get money back for the Earned Income Credit while not paying any in. The middle class pays for about 30-40% of all taxes and the top 5% of money earners in the nation pay for 60-70% of taxes. Not very EQUAL ( Apportioned) is it?
When you go to work you are trading your labor for cash, there is no income. You had to trade something of value for something else, where is the profit? there is none.
There is actually no law anywhere that says you must pay the income tax, but try telling that to the IRS.
I know a friend who claims 9 on his W-4 ( The max you can claim) and has never done his taxes in 42 years, he has never been harassed or seen a collection agent or had any correspondence with the IRS. Probably helps that he never makes more than 20K a year though, stays under the radar I guess.
Personally if you want to pay less or no taxes you either have to know all the loop holes and make sure you can qualify, OR.......You cheat on your taxes and cheat like Timmy Geithner or Tom Daschle or any of Obama's tax cheatin cabinet. Then send in your forms at the VERY last minute (April 14 at 1158 pm), the chances of being audited are very small.
The US existed for 150 years just fine with no income tax, but as soon as the fed reserve (our central bank) was chartered that is when we got the 16th amendment.and we have been stolen from ever since.
And lets not forget about the oldest known and most deceptive tax of all........INFLATION!! Coming soon to a checkbook near you!! Food prices have climbed 10-15% in the last year alone, and that is mostly due to ethanol production taking corn out of the food market. Wait until Weimar style inflation...bread will cost $100 a loaf.
Buy Gold and Silver and commodidties! Plant a Garden, install alternate power producing devices. Everything you do should improve your life even if nothing bad happens. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.