April 8, 2026
Dear IRS Friends,
I watch in horror as the leaders of our nation and their international co-conspirators carry out war crimes in the name of the American people. Regrettably, my tax dollars have funded the industrial war complex, which most recently and notably has destroyed the lives and culture of working people, like me, in Iran, Haiti, Palestine, Lebanon, Israel, Sudan, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan. Ripples of unjust violence carry throughout the Middle East as I am writing this letter. People all over the world who are peacefully carrying out their lives, working, honoring traditions, raising the next generation, producing food and services for their fellow citizens, like I am, are not my enemy. I wish them no harm. And yet they seem to exist as targets for destruction that will make rich and powerful men in the Epstein class even more rich and powerful. Their humanity, and indeed their lives, are denied.
The United States’ unconscionable support of Israel to kill over 72,000 Palestinians, including 20,000+ children, since October 7, 2023, causes me great sadness and despair. Simultaneously, Israel carries out daily attacks in Lebanon, murdering well over 1,000 and displacing more than one fifth of the nation’s population, since early March. The US’ unconscionable and illegal participation in war, and in arming other nations for war, compromises my faith in our nation and its leaders.
At home in the United States, racist violence is inflicted through the Department of Homeland Security’s ICE Gestapo, who have murdered in cold blood and abused countless people who seek asylum, justice, and the perceived promise of the United States through legal means. I am sickened to know that tax revenues generated by my own labor have paid for this inhumanity. I await justice for the lives lost and ruined, knowing that without accountability, there is no hope that this un-American campaign will end.
I object also to our political leaders abusing our soldiers, using them to impose our corporate empire instead of to defend our country. The “moral injury” to our own soldiers of killing other human beings is still the primary cause of the loss of 17 veterans per day by suicide. (www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2025/2025_Annual_Report_Part_2_508.pdf)
I cannot reconcile the actions of our military complex with my own moral conscience. I hereby claim to be a Conscientious Objector.
I object also to our political leaders abusing our soldiers, using them to impose our corporate empire instead of to defend our country. The “moral injury” to our own soldiers of killing other human beings is still the primary cause of the loss of 17 veterans per day by suicide. (www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2025/2025_Annual_Report_Part_2_508.pdf)
I cannot reconcile the actions of our military complex with my own moral conscience. I hereby claim to be a Conscientious Objector.
I refuse to pay income taxes that fund this death and destruction in the name of my freedom. I understand that I may face consequences. Where are the consequences for the warmongers who openly boast about committing war crimes, target schools, hospitals, journalists, and activists--whose freedom they are supposedly protecting? Many who face prison time, fines, or other penalties are the whistleblowers who reveal illegal government violence and coercion.
War Resisters League’s latest analysis shows that about 58% of every federal income tax dollar goes to military spending. (www.warresisters.org/resources/pie-chart-flyers-where-your-income-tax-money-really-goes) As you can see, my tax responsibility for 2025 is $2,072 ($2039 owed plus $33 paid previously through W-2 earnings). I have redirected 58% of what I owe to the War Tax Resister Penalty Fund and Doctors Without Borders. (check copies enclosed) I have paid the 42% of my owed taxes that help fund general government, human resources, and physical resources.
My non-military balance, $837.24 (42% of $2,072= $870.24 minus $33 already paid), is enclosed with my tax return.
My non-military balance, $837.24 (42% of $2,072= $870.24 minus $33 already paid), is enclosed with my tax return.
Thank you for reading my many thoughts. I hope that as a worker in the IRS, you will consider the reasons that many people like me are resisting war taxes this year, and every year. I hope my resistance does not create extra work for you.
Peace, by all available means,
domenik carl lee
CC: Senator Jack Reed, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Representative Gabe Amo, Representative Seth Magaziner
April 8, 2026
Dear RI Senators and Representatives,
Attached is a letter I have enclosed with my FY2025 Federal Income Tax filing. As a Conscientious Objector to the war crimes of the current Unites States government and its international co-conspirators, I refuse to contribute financially to the inhumane death and destruction that is pervasive at home and abroad.
I share my letter with you, theoretically a member of the “opposition party”, and my elected representative in our nation’s capital. I hope that my letter inspires you. I want to see you stand up for justice and uphold the principles of our nation’s constitution. It is not good enough for you to express your distaste and hope that those in power make better choices. They clearly have an agenda that they believe dismisses them from moral obligations. You must use whatever leverage you can muster, come together with your colleagues, and actually do something that will make this madness stop.
I share my letter with you, theoretically a member of the “opposition party”, and my elected representative in our nation’s capital. I hope that my letter inspires you. I want to see you stand up for justice and uphold the principles of our nation’s constitution. It is not good enough for you to express your distaste and hope that those in power make better choices. They clearly have an agenda that they believe dismisses them from moral obligations. You must use whatever leverage you can muster, come together with your colleagues, and actually do something that will make this madness stop.
At this point, the POTUS and multiple members of his cabinet have openly committed sundry impeachable offenses. You must submit articles of impeachment under the 25th amendment. You must hold the president, Pamela Bondi, Pete Hegseth, Kash Patel, and Kristi Noem responsible for their reprehensible crimes against the people of the United States and the world. You have been elected to do this work, that cannot be directly carried out by “we the people”.
In the meantime, as an act of civil disobedience I withhold the portion of my federal income tax that funds the war machine. I have redirected those funds to causes that bring more good than harm to the world, which is what I believe our nation should be in the business of doing.
Work hard, resist temptation, serve the working people and those who do not have enough resources to meet their most basic needs. We are all watching.
Peace,
domenik carl lee
cc: Senator Reed, Senator Whitehouse, Representative Amo, Representative Magaziner