Chicago attorney Rachel Cohen owes more than $8,000 in federal income taxes — but has intentionally left that balance unpaid.
“I’m not paying my federal income tax this year,” Cohen said in a widely viewed TikTok video from March 2 about her decision.
The 31-year-old community organizer filed her federal tax return, which shows a balance due of $8,830, according to a tax document reviewed by CNBC. But Cohen said she deliberately chose to withhold payment of that bill as a protest against immigration detention, including ICE facilities, and U.S. strikes on Iran launched without congressional approval.
While voicing resistance to taxes is legal, refusing to pay taxes owed can violate federal law and lead to serious penalties.
“It’s completely OK to be unhappy and be dissatisfied with our government,” said Josh Youngblood, owner of The Youngblood Group, a Dallas-based tax firm. “But not paying taxes, or engaging in tax fraud or evasion, is not the answer.”
