This is something that I’ve been looking into, but I can neither confirm nor deny its legitimacy. It turns out that there is a way for any Canadian to declare themselves as tax exempt and this status extends to GST, PST, and even income tax. My freelance writing business carries a GST number, so I charge Canadian customers accordingly, but one of my clients has told me that he is GST exempt because of Decision T2020-88.
Investigating further, I found this website, which is less than professional-looking and it’s definitely sporting a rather dated appearance. It cites the same decision, saying:
“Decision T2020-88 of the Federal Court of Canada recognizes, and the Nuremberg Principles demand that I act on my right and duty to refuse to support a society that participates in plans and preparations that are predicated on a will and capacity to commit mass murder.”
Apparently, Canada is involved in the production of nuclear weapons in some way, providing uranium to countries that actually build the weapons. I don’t have the details, but if you “refuse to support a society that participates” in such activities, then you can apply for a tax exemption. From what I can gather, the government obviously doesn’t want you to not pay your taxes (in other words, they want you to pay your taxes), so the person who put the website which I cited above… well, he’s been met with some opposition. His progress can be followed here.
So, what do you think? Is Decision T2020-88 legitimate and for real, or is this just one big crock? Let us know if you find anything that points in either direction through the comment form below.
Collin
September 11, 2007 3:34 pm
Dude if that proves out to be correct I have a title for a new blog I will start
it would be called
MAKE MONEY ONLINE AND SCREW THE GOVERNMENT dot com
Collin
Christian
September 12, 2007 4:30 am
They are having the same thing going on in the states.
You can find out alot more. but here is one video with a former IRS agent. and Ron Paul.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=JZl6202HJGQ
An here is a short talk about T2020-88
http://groups.google.ca/group/can.taxes/browse_thread/thread/357e0bb50342ce7c/8582d67d62e1d26e?lnk=st&q=T2020-88&rnum=5&hl=en#8582d67d62e1d26e
But ill keep paying mine for now.
John Chow
September 12, 2007 8:19 am
You can apply for the exemption but you won’t get it. There is one thing your client doesn’t get. The gov can issue an amendment and change the rules anytime. Trust me, that “exemption” won’t keep your client out of jail. And failing to collect GST from him just mean you’ll have to pay it.
Denis
September 12, 2007 9:47 pm
http://www.taxrefusal.com/
fp
September 12, 2007 10:42 pm
This is not an “exemption” you would apply for. The link above explains it very well, this is something you withhold and stand by if you are so inclined to do so.
The government amends statutes and acts all the time, they cannot however amend a Rule of Law. No one has ever gone to jail for not paying taxes; http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1656880303867390173
John Chow
September 13, 2007 9:17 am
Government can amend the rule of law anytime they want. They can even amend the constitution. No one had gone to jail for not paying taxes? You’re funny. Tell that to Leona Helmsely when she was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for tax evasion in 1989. Or that guy who claimed taxes were illegal and refused to pay. He served jail time as well.
Collin
September 13, 2007 2:36 pm
Even though it sounds like a good idea, I think the risks are alot higher against you winning then not. But man it sure would be nice.
christian
September 14, 2007 9:12 pm
This is from 1998. But it is a good read.
http://legalminds.lp.findlaw.com/list/fedtax-l/msg01736.html
http://legalminds.lp.findlaw.com/list/fedtax-l/msg01696.html