Tax Philosophy

Marlboro, Massachussets

Transactions - Any business deal, any life deal, should be considered on its merits alone. Ask yourself, does this make business sense? Does this make sense for yourself, for your family, for your friends and colleagues? And only then, after determining that the endeavor makes sense and is worthwhile on its own, should you consider the financial impact, and how to structure the deal to minimize the tax impact.

That being said, I will take every deduction that you are entitled to, as long as you can document the expense. I will not shy away from deductions for what is rightfully yours.

Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah

Im ein kemach, ein Torah, im ein Torah, ein kemach

Where there is no wheat, there will be no Torah, where there is no Torah, there will be no wheat

Pirke Avot 3:17

Rabbi Chanina

Rabbi Chanina, the deputy of the priests, would often say, "Pray for the welfare of the government, for were it not for the fear of it, people would swallow each other alive."

Pirke Avot 3.2

Judge Learned Hand, US Court of Appeals

Anyone may arrange his affairs so that his taxes shall be as low as possible; he is not bound to choose that pattern which best pays the treasury. There is not even a patriotic duty to increase one's taxes. Over and over again the Courts have said that there is nothing sinister in so arranging affairs as to keep taxes as low as possible. Everyone does it, rich and poor alike and all do right, for nobody owes any public duty to pay more than the law demands.

in the case of Gregory v. Helvering

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