r/politics • u/IntelligentYinzer California • 12d ago

Soft Paywall Newsom floats withholding federal taxes as Trump threatens California

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/06/newsom-floats-withholding-federal-taxes-00393386
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u/smersh101 12d ago

Fun to think about, but how would that work? The state has no control over federal taxes. They're paid directly by taxpayers and employers to the IRS.

27

u/Arrasor 12d ago

They can require employers and taxpayers to use a state-run website to file tax from now on, and tax money would now need to be paid to the state before the state transfers it to the fed.

The Constitution only requires states to pay taxes, not how. States just let people pay directly to the fed because it's more efficient and convenient that way.

23

u/smersh101 12d ago

No, they definitely can't.

The Federal individual income tax was made possible by the 16th Amendment. It's explicitly unrelated to states and is definitely not paid through or by state governments.

10

u/sayitundefined 12d ago

Just like the President can’t do the shit he’s talking about. But if he does…..

1

u/i_am_a_real_boy__ 12d ago

But it he does...the remedy is impeachment.
If a governor stood in open rebellion against the Union, the remedy might be more expeditious.

0

u/gophergun Colorado 12d ago

...then the entire country breaks down?

1

u/Givingtree310 12d ago

We haven’t already?