Tax Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old tax quotes, tax sayings, and tax proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.

Taxation is the price which civilized communities pay for the opportunity of remaining civilized. Albert Bushnell Hart
Taxation is the price we pay for failing to build a civilized society. The higher the tax level, the greater the failure. A centrally planned totalitarian state represents a complete defeat for the civilized world, while a totally voluntary society represents its ultimate success. Mark Skousen
Next to being shot at and missed, nothing is quite as satisfying as an income tax refund. F.J. Raymond
The difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion is the thickness of a prison wall. Denis Healey
The income tax has made more liars out of the American people than golf has. Even when you make a tax form out on the level, you don't know when it's through if you are a crook or a martyr. Will Rogers
The point to remember is that what the government gives it must first take away. John S. Coleman
To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. Thomas Jefferson
This is a question too difficult for a mathematician. It should be asked of a philosopher, when asked about completing his income tax form. Albert Einstein
Tax rates should never be raised in some brackets without being raised in all brackets. Bradley A. Smith
The power to tax is the power to destroy. John Marshall
What people really want is fairness. They want people paying their fair share of taxes. Barack Obama
You don't get gushers of revenue by raising tax rates. You get it through expansion. George P. Shultz
The power of taxing people and their property is essential to the very existence of government. James Madison
Tax reform means, don't tax you, don't tax me. Tax that fellow behind the tree. Russell Long
It is a good thing that we do not get as much government as we pay for. Will Rogers
The problem is not that the people are taxed too little. The problem is that government spends too much. Ronald Reagan
What at first was plunder assumed the softer name of revenue. Thomas Paine
Collecting more taxes than is absolutely necessary is legalized robbery. Calvin Coolidge
You can't tax business. Business doesn't pay taxes. It collects taxes. Ronald Reagan
If you make any money, the government shoves you in the creek once a year with it in your pockets, and all that don't get wet you can keep. Will Rogers
The only thing that hurts more than paying an income tax is not having to pay an income tax. Thomas Dewar
The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin. Mark Twain
The nation should have a tax system that looks like someone designed it on purpose. William Simon
One thing is clear: The Founding Fathers never intended a nation where citizens would pay nearly half of everything they earn to the government. Ron Paul
I'm proud to pay taxes in the United States; the only thing is, I could be just as proud for half the money. Arthur Godfrey
Every culture has some ritual for joining two people together and making them stay that way, and ours is giving tax breaks. Bauvard
The power to tax and spend is restricted by the enumerated powers. Rand Paul
Taxation with representation ain't so hot either. Gerald Barzan
When there's a single thief, it's robbery. When there are a thousand thieves, it's taxation. Vanya Cohen
Income tax returns are the most imaginative fiction being written today. Herman Wouk