Why don't Amish pay taxes and social security

[MrKind]

I have several Amish neighbors. It's my understating that they pay federal and state income taxes, property taxes, and sales taxes. They opt out of the entire social security system, and don't pay FICA taxes.

This is my understanding as well, They do seem to always have a big pocket of cash on hand but if you did not have to pay car/home/health insurance no fuel cost or car payment OR electric bill ect. You'd have a nice pile o cash in your pocket as well?

[mom-from-missouri]

This is my understanding as well, They do seem to always have a big pocket of cash on hand but if you did not have to pay car/home/health insurance no fuel cost or car payment OR electric bill ect. You'd have a nice pile o cash in your pocket as well?

It probably varies by region/district/order. Right now I am looking at Mariam's paycheck and indeed SS, FICA and unemployment HAVE been taken out. She is Amish and works full time at a Thriftway Store, owned and operated by Englishers.

[GrimJack]

Maybe it isn't your business, but having paid over $250,000 in FICA taxes I believe it is my business to make sure the program is not abused and is there to protect the people who need it and funded it.

Do you do the due diligence for the farm subsidy? Do you do your due diligence for any group on the government dole except those who are the poorest of the poor and the worst off? You say that every single person on Judge Judy is on SSI - I call BS, where do you get your information? Do you sit at home every day and monitor Judge Judy to make sure 'your' investment in FICA is not abused? Do you research each and every person?
I think I call shenanigans on that.

[Blessed]

In my area, if they are self employed (farm, produce stands, quilt store, harness shop), they opt out.

But if they work for someone else they pay into it. We have a neighbors whose daughter works at a local grocery store. She pays into it, but will never draw out of it unless she leaves the Amish church. I know for a fact she does, as my daughter works with her and they were comparing paychecks over here a couple weeks ago. Her brother works during harvest season for a large farm, and also pays into it. Many also work at a cabinet shop that is not Amish run, and they also pay into it, and also, they do not use the unemployment--pay into it, but do not draw out of it.

Sorry for my typo. I meant they did not pay ss or fica and I saw it as no different than our church minister getting to opt out of it. In all my years there I only saw one Amish child benefit from mainstream public school. They pay for it with property taxes. The little girl had severe speech delay and came for that reason. I think too many think the Amish get off Scott free when they certainly pay their share. Nicest neighbors one could ask for.

The odds of an Amish person leaving the group and collecting disability is very slim. I'd have more worry about the people in our country illegally and what they get without paying in.

[willuc8]

Keep in mind that they have to be self-employed to take advantage of that exemption.

[drpepper]

Maybe if other religious groups were willing to take care of their own as well as the Amish do, none of us would need to pay into social security.

[Gailete]

Maybe if other religious groups were willing to take care of their own as well as the Amish do, none of us would need to pay into social security.
Yesterday 05:54 AM

Perhaps that statement should say, Maybe if others(as in all of us) were willing to take care of our own as well as the Amish do, none of us would need to pay into social security.

Many used to have to work till they died or became dependent on their families and relatives if they couldn't keep working. Unfortunately our society is not willing to pay or to spend the time looking after their own any more, so thank goodness for SS.