Summary of ""I HAVEN'T paid taxes in 30 years and 97% of Americans shouldn't either" | Redacted News"

Episode overview

This episode features Payman Manaheday, founder of Freedom Law School (stopthefed.com / freedomlawschool.org), interviewed by Clayton (host, Redacted). Manaheday argues that federal income tax is largely optional for Americans and presents both legal claims and an activist strategy for refusing to pay.

Central claim

Manaheday contends the Constitution and Supreme Court rulings do not require most residents of the 50 states to pay a federal income tax, and that only residents/citizens of the District of Columbia (about 3%) are subject to direct federal income taxation.

He emphasizes that the modern IRS system depends on voluntary confessions via tax returns.

Key points made

The Form 1040 is portrayed as a sworn “income tax confession” that creates legal liability under penalty of perjury.
Withholding (W-4) plus annual filing are described as the mechanisms that make Americans taxpayers.
Most people file because of habit, employer pressure, reliance on accountants, or fear promoted by media.
Manaheday claims the IRS has limited resources and historically leaves many non-filers alone; he cites an internal 2016 decision and estimates roughly 80 million non-filers.
He states that he and many of his students have not been prosecuted or had assets seized and that the IRS often avoids high-profile losses in court.

Strategy advocated

Manaheday outlines a refusal-to-pay approach framed as civil disobedience and political resistance:

Stop withholding (instructions/forms are said to be available on his website).
Do not sign or file the Form 1040.
If the IRS issues a Notice of Deficiency, challenge it in U.S. Tax Court within 90 days.
Use Freedom Law School templates and support to prepare responses, petitions to Congress, and court materials.
If the IRS ultimately collects from his students, he claims Freedom Law School offers a reimbursement pledge.

Legal and procedural claims cited

Alleged deceptive definitions in the Internal Revenue Code and changes dating back to 1913 (references to the 16th Amendment and the Federal Reserve Act).
The role of Notices of Deficiency and the 90-day challenge period for contesting them.
Claimed limits on IRS enforcement when no 1040 has been filed.
Distinctions asserted between U.S. citizens/residents of the District of Columbia and residents of the 50 states.

Political framing

Manaheday frames refusal to pay as a political tactic to deny funding for wars and oppose what he describes as a corrupt federal system. Specific points include:

U.S. government debt (cited at roughly $39 trillion) and rising costs.
Additional war-related spending (example given: the Pentagon allegedly seeking an extra $200 billion).
He proposes redirecting saved funds to back candidates aligned with constitutional, limited-government principles (he names Ron Paul and Thomas Massie) and to finance supportive media and Super PACs.
The interview also includes broader political commentary criticizing both major parties and references to events and allegations (Jan. 6, Epstein/Mossad, U.S.–Israel policy, tensions with Iran).

Resources and support mentioned

Freedom Law School / stopthefed.com / freedomlawschool.org — templates, instructions, and support for the refusal strategy.
Assistance preparing responses, petitions to Congress, and Tax Court materials.
A claimed reimbursement pledge if the IRS ultimately collects money from students of the program.