As an individual who was assaulted at my former workplace, a job I held for two years, I am now left with no income due to the absence of Temporary Disability Benefits I should have received four months ago. Incredibly, while my compensation is delayed, each week when I was employed I saw my paycheck reduced due to over five different taxes, one being the Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI). Our hard-earned money, deducted before we even get to touch it, is deployed across a broad range of local, state, and federal programs, some of which many of us do not utilize or even agree with.

Among these programs are those aimed at lending support to immigrants, including rent-free housing, Food Stamps, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), voting rights, as well as legal support during court proceedings, all funded by the American taxpayer.

In stark contrast to the swift collection of taxes, when it comes to compensating an individual like me, who has been unjustly deprived of the ability to work due to an assault at my workplace, the process is slow and unresponsive.

It's necessary to question the fairness of an automatic system that subtracts significant portions of our income for taxes, yet fails to promptly disburse crucial funds in times of need. General incomes in America are taxed at rates ranging from 10% to 37%, and that doesn't include other state and local taxes (Tax Policy Center, 2021). This unquestionably showcases the need for a serious change in this system.

This petition calls on lawmakers to eradicate compulsory tax withholding. Let's return the power to the individual – let us decide how best to manage our income, and where our money should go, allowing us to prioritize our households. We are not advocating tax evasion, but for a more reasonable and fair tax system in place that respects our individual rights to our hard-earned money and better represents our personal and societal needs.

Support this call for change. Sign this petition today.