Taxation and Jurisprudence:

Taxation and Jurisprudence:

Ethics

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Taxation and Jurisprudence:

Ethics of Tax Evasion

This paper presents response to the statement, “It is moral and ethical for Christians to practice tax avoidance by taking advantage of available deductions and credits. Tax avoidance is defined as the legal structuring of one’s financial affairs so as to optimize the related tax liability” (Raabe et al, 2009). Accordingly, the paper argues that tax evasion is immoral, especially for Christians as it goes against the teachings in the Bible.

Tax evasion has become a common incidence in America, as well as, the rest of the world. Most individuals and organizations are facing the law owing to the practice of tax evasion, which has been held responsible for some of the economic problems that society is facing today. In relation to ethics and morality, researchers and academicians have worked to prove the existence of legal and illegal tax evasion practices (McGee, 2004).  Accordingly, this has generated plenty of debate regarding the practice of tax evasion, as a conclusion cannot be drawn on whether it is moral or ethical to practice tax evasion. Those in support of tax evasion argue form the point of this practice being a form of tax planning. That tax evasion involves the organization and planning of one’s financials in such a way that individuals are able to save more by getting rid of the tax liability. By doing so, individuals have the ability to be happy, which is the basis of all moral and ethical actions. The unethical nature of tax evasion is drawn from the concept that going against the law is immoral (McGee, 2004). In addition to this, the overall financial system is reliant of taxation, and for that reason, tax evasion is unethical and immoral because it disrupts proper functioning of individuals in a society.

Religious teachings also support the notion that tax evasion is immoral and should not be practiced at a.............