HOW YOUR TAX DOLLARS ARE USED
The new War Resisters League's annual "pie chart" flyer, Where Your Income Tax Money Really Goes, analyzes the Federal Fiscal Year 2024 Budget (FY 2024 is 1 October 2023 - 30 September 2024. This FY2024 issue was published in March 2023.
Each year War Resisters League analyzes federal funds outlays as presented in detailed tables in "Analytical Perspectives" of the Budget of the United States Government. Our analysis is based on federal funds, which do not include trust funds - such as Social Security - that are raised separately from income taxes for specific purposes. What federal income taxes you pay (or don't pay) by April 18, 2023, goes to the federal funds portion of the budget.
Not including new funding, the US provides Israel over $3 billion every year, with almost the entire amount being used to support the Israeli military. Since World War II, the US had dedicated more foreign aid to Israel than any other country.
STOP THE NEXT WAR BEFORE IT STARTS
The massive militaries of the United States and NATO did not prevent Russia from attacking Ukraine. In fact, United States and NATO presence surrounding Russia fueled Putin’s aggression. Tensions rise with China and North Korea as the United States adds more bases in Asia, including four in the Philippines. In Okinawa, Japan, there is strong local opposition to the 31 U.S. military installations. About two-thirds of current conflicts involve one or more sides armed by the United States.
Diplomacy Not Militarism
Major U.S. wars, from Korea to Vietnam to the so-called “War on Terror,” all failed in their goals of peace and stability. The need is urgent to change priorities. A Pew Research poll in 2019 found that people around the world viewed the climate crisis as biggest threat — a crisis that cannot be solved by the military. In fact, the U.S. military is the world’s biggest polluter.
We must stop the next war before it starts. Demand drastic cuts to the military budget and a shift in U.S. foreign policy from militarism to diplomacy
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Leaflet with this flyer year-round and on Tax Day, April 18, 2023, and throughout the Global Days of Action on Military Spending, April 13 - May 9, 2023; also see demilitarize.org.
Get involved in WRL’s organizing and education work: nonviolent direct action training, counter-military recruitment, internationalist work, and more. Visit WRL’s membership handbook at warresisters.org/joinwrl. Find resources to challenge militarism, curb police and border patrol power, strengthen nonviolent action and lift up community resilience!
Write elected officials, letters-to-the-editor, and posts online. Send and share copies of this flyer. Explain your budget priorities for a better world.
Divest from war! Refuse to pay all or part of your federal income tax. Though illegal, thousands of people openly participate in this form of protest. Whatever you choose to refuse—$1, $10, 48% or 100%—send a letter to elected officials and tell them why. Contact us for information or referral to a counselor near you. Contribute resisted tax money to groups that work for the common good.
For more about refusing to pay for war, brochures, and other resources, contact the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee, (800) 269-7464 or see nwtrcc.org. Support the Peace Tax Fund legislation: peacetaxfund.org.
Order a DVD of NWTRCC's film, Death and Taxes from WRL's online store.
Read and use War Tax Resistance: A Guide to Withholding Your Support from the Military, a 144-page handbook with history, methods and resources. Available for $5 plus postage from WRL's online store.
You can also download the flyers and print them locally:
in English, in color (pdf)
in English, black & white (pdf)
We offer these downloads free of charge, but we really appreciate your donation to support the work of producing this important resource each year. If you can, donate today!
For Pie Charts from previous years, check out the Pie Chart Archives
***NOTE ABOUT SHIPPING*** Pie chart orders are being mailed no later than 48 hours after receiving the order. Orders of 50 and more are sent priority mail, which arrives in 2-3 days. Postage costs more than 20%, an additional donation is appreciated.
Minimum Order: 20 Pie Charts (for smaller orders we encourage you to download and print your own!)
Discounts applied at check out (or by clicking on View Cart):
20-199 $.14
200-499 $.12
500+ $.10
