Skipping Your Taxes Isn’t A Good Protest. Redirecting Them Might Be.

As images of immigration enforcement raids circulate online and the federal government advances policies that many LGBTQ+ people see as hostile to their existence, a familiar question is resurfacing in progressive spaces: Why pay taxes to a government trying to erase you?

Across social media, calls for a modern-day “tax strike” have gained traction, framing federal tax nonpayment as both a moral protest and constitutional speech. Some argue withholding taxes is a lawful act of civil disobedience and a way to starve federal departments from the funds they rely on. 

The idea isn’t new. Tax resistance has a long history in the United States, from Henry David Thoreau’s refusal to pay taxes that funded slavery and war, to mass protests during the Vietnam War. Tax boycotts surged again during the Trump administration’s first term when activists cited opposition to the President’s border wall as justification for withholding federal income taxes.

But while the impulse is rooted in conscience, the consequences are often misunderstood.

Tax professionals and legal experts say much of the advice circulating online today blurs the line between lawful protest and illegal evasion — and that the real-world outcomes of tax boycotts often look very different than intended.

To understand what a tax strike actually means — legally, financially and politically — LOOKOUT spoke with Phoenix-based tax professional and enrolled agent Amanda Renfrew, who runs the local company TheTaxPerson. 

She breaks down what’s legal, what isn’t, and how people who want to protest government policy using their tax money can use existing tax codes to support their communities without risking devastating penalties.

Here’s our conversation:

Joseph Darius Jaafari: Let’s talk about this “tax strike” we’re seeing online. How do you understand people are being told it works?

Amanda Renfrew: I’ve seen a lot of advice on TikTok, which should always be taken with caution. The messaging is usually: use your voice and boycott taxes. I understand the sentiment — the IRS is often seen as “the man,” controlling finances and government power. And what’s being said online is that nonpayment is a First Amendment issue and a legal way to protest by not paying taxes.

Joseph Darius Jaafari: That matches what I’ve seen. The advice often says: pay your 2025 taxes, then mark yourself as exempt going forward and put the money into a high-yield savings account. But what’s the problem with that?

Amanda Renfrew: Several problems. First, you can’t just tell your employer you’re exempt unless you truly owed no tax last year and expect to owe none this year. If a W-4 is incorrect, employers must ignore it, and the IRS can issue a lock-in letter telling them how much to withhold.

Second, financially it doesn’t work. High-yield savings might earn 4–5% if you’re lucky. IRS interest on late payments or underpayments is currently about 7%, updated quarterly. Add failure-to-pay penalties and you’re losing money quickly.

Joseph Darius Jaafari: So, there is a definite risk for anybody who wants to do this. 

Amanda Renfrew: Exactly. Saying “I won’t pay taxes because of free speech” doesn’t work. Courts consistently say you must still follow tax laws. Tax avoidance is legal — using deductions, credits, and structures to reduce what you owe. Tax evasion is illegal nonpayment or underpayment. You can’t do that.

Joseph Darius Jaafari: But there are cases where courts have accepted that. 

Amanda Renfrew: Only if you eventually pay — but interest and penalties still apply. Also, the idea you’re “off the hook” after a certain number of years is false if behavior is fraudulent or intentionally frivolous.

Courts have repeatedly rejected First Amendment arguments. In United States v. Lee in 1982, religious objections didn’t override the need for a functioning tax system. In Jenkins v. Commissioner a year later, penalties were upheld despite free-exercise claims. And In Wall v. United States, also in the ‘80s, objections to paying a “war tax” failed — personal beliefs don’t excuse tax obligations. 

When cuts happen, (Congress is) more likely to hit areas like education or parks — not military, national security, or law enforcement. Boycotts tend to reduce funding for programs Congress ranks lower priority.
-Amanda Renfrew, Phoenix tax specialist

Joseph Darius Jaafari: Basically, there’s not really a way around this if you think you can do this, legally. 

Amanda Renfrew: I’ve never seen a First Amendment argument successfully remove the pay-as-you-go requirement or penalties. There are more effective ways to use your voice.

Joseph Darius Jaafari: But removing the legalities of this, some people say that they don’t care of those legal repercussions. They argue that if enough people stopped paying their taxes, funding would be cut from agencies like ICE or prisons. Is that realistic?

Amanda Renfrew: Not really. It depends on Congressional priorities. There’s already roughly a $600 billion annual tax gap from underpayment and non-filing. Historically, Congress responds by increasing IRS enforcement because the government needs revenue.

When cuts happen, they’re more likely to hit areas like education or parks — not military, national security, or law enforcement. Boycotts tend to reduce funding for programs Congress ranks lower priority.

Joseph Darius Jaafari: What I’m hearing you say is that someone protesting for a more equitable system might find that their actions may likely backfire. 

Amanda Renfrew: Absolutely. My counterpoint is simple: use the tax code to amplify your voice creatively or fund causes you care about, locally.

Arizona allows taxpayers to direct state tax liability to approved organizations through tax credits. These include charities, foster care groups, and public schools. You donate directly, keep the receipt, and claim a dollar-for-dollar credit on your state taxes. The money never goes to the state.

Joseph Darius Jaafari: So if I owe state taxes, I can donate that to organizations instead of giving that tax money to the state?

Amanda Renfrew: Yes. Instead of lawmakers allocating that money, you can direct it to qualified groups supporting mental health, housing, medical care, or prevention services.

For example, Prisma Community Care supports HIV care and queer health. Child Crisis supports foster children. Each credit category has caps, but often we can allocate most or all of your liability to causes you choose. And you can verify current caps and organization lists with the Arizona Department of Revenue or a tax professional.

Records Show Years of Warning Signs Before Tucson Pride Shut Down

Federal tax records and a former board member points to years of strain that eroded the organization’s stability and trust.

LOOKOUTLorenzo Gomez (he/him)

Joseph Darius Jaafari: I just want to make this simple for me. So, I’m going to use simple numbers, as an example. Let’s say I make $50,000, and because we have a flat tax of 2.5% in Arizona, I owe $1,250 in state taxes. What you’re saying is I can donate that money across organizations that are qualified by the state, then file and get reimbursed?

Amanda Renfrew: Essentially, yes. What I usually do is calculate my Arizona state tax liability first, then make any tax-credit-eligible donations. I include those on my return to offset what I owe to the state. Arizona is generally pretty quick at processing returns, and a lot of the credits let you make donations up until April 15 and still apply them to the prior tax year. Just make sure to double-check the current rules and keep your receipts.

Joseph Darius Jaafari: Are there other clever tactics that people can do to reduce their tax liability?

Amanda Renfrew: Small business ownership unlocks legitimate tax advantages. And you can use tax rules to support causes you care about. For example, I acquired official “Know Your Rights” cards and packaged them with branded safety whistles and friendship bracelets. These are distributed through the Rainbow on Wheels shuttle we sponsor. These qualify as marketing expenses while supporting community awareness and small businesses.

Events can also amplify impact. For example, collaborating with RoRo Dogs and GayPHX radio, we created a glitter “glammed-up” hot dog fundraiser benefiting one•n•ten LGBTQ youth charity. We underwrote the event, distributed safety resources, fed the community, and created space for conversation — while creating legitimate business deductions and cross-promoted our businesses in a memorable way.

Joseph Darius Jaafari: So, it’s about being creative on what can work both as a business expense as well as have impact on causes you care about. 

Amanda Renfrew: Exactly. Supporting small businesses strengthens the economy and can be tax-efficient. Community collaborations can create impact while turning real expenses into legitimate deductions. I love this trifecta. It’s what makes my role as a tax professional and advisor particularly meaningful.  

Joseph Darius Jaafari: Anything else people should know?

Amanda Renfrew: Extensions extend time to file — not time to pay. Taxes owed are still due by April 15. Paying something, even an estimate, shows good faith and can reduce penalties.