Asked by Alex from OH

Q: A store clerk told me the other day that the Amish don’t have to pay taxes. That doesn’t seem fair. Why does the government let them get by with that?

A: Hi Alex! That isn’t true, but your store clerk was voicing a common belief. The Amish pay all the same taxes as the rest of us—except for one. They are exempt from being taxed for Social Security. The government allows this because the Amish refuse to draw from it. They believe in the family and church taking care of one another instead of the government.

Thanks for the question Alex!