Paying Your Tax Bill In Cash--As a Protest

Doug Langworthy brings the story of one Cary Malchow, who paid his entire $12,000+ property tax bill (that is a big tax bill) in cash--specifically in coins and one dollar bills.

Of course the Delaware County Treasurer, Warren Beebe, was not too happy. In an AP video (to which I could unfortunately not provide a web link), the unhappy treasurer told Malchow to "Get it outta here and bring it back the way it's supposed to be." Only one problem, Mr. Beebe. It says right on the upper left corner of the one dollar bill, issued by the Federal Reserve, that "This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private". Mr. Malchow has every right to pay his property tax bill in this manner.

Beebe complained further. "Other tax payers had to wait while workers counted every bill and coin." That, Mr. Beebe, is... EXACTLY THE POINT!

When looking for ways to protest when we believe our taxes are too high, there's nothing like a little good ol' American ingenuity. Cary Malchow thought of a brilliant way to draw attention to this problem while barely coloring within the lines and following the letter of the unjust law, if not the intent. He paid his tax bill, and he paid it on time, and he drew national attention to the idea that property taxes in Delaware County, Indiana, are too high.

There is little context to the story, i.e. what kind of property does Malchow own that warrants $12,000 tax bill, but it is an interesting story and a reminder that even in an electronic society, paper money and coins still pay the bills.