Is Marjorie Taylor Greene telling Americans to not pay federal taxes?

The rift between two halves of the "Make America Great Again" movement is growing as some conservative personalities are now calling for a national tax revolt.

Former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who fell out with the president last fall before resigning her seat in Georgia in January, has been a vocal opponent of the war in Iran, the handling of the Epstein files and other key issues within the Trump Administration.

She has often taken to social media to express her outrage that Trump has turned away from his "America First" message, in her opinion, and is no longer aligned with the traditional MAGA ideology she still follows.

Now, she has turned her attention to taxes just days before they are due to be filed in the United States. Tax day is April 15.

Greene promotes tax revolt message

On Monday, Greene posted a video on X with Paymon Mattahedeh, the founder of Freedom Law School who says paying federal income and payroll taxes is not required by law for most Americans. Former members of Freedom Law School, however, have been sentenced to prison for tax evasion.

"I've been sent countless questions since millions of Americans saw my interview with the former IRS agent (now, whistleblower) Joe Banister last week, where he claimed that 99% of Americans are not legally required to file and pay income taxes," Greene wrote on X. "How can Americans really organize a national tax revolt? Won't we all end up in prison? Can't the IRS just seize our bank accounts? What if my employer taxes directly from my paycheck? I can't answer those questions for you or tell you what to do, but Peymon Mottahedeh, the founder of Freedom Law School, can!"

On Greene's personal X account, she shared the video again after sexual abuse allegations were lodged against Representative Eric Swalwell, leading to him dropping out of the California gubernatorial primary and resigning his seat in the U.S. House.

"Eric Swalwell and others in Congress hide disgusting sex lives and abuse, but the way Congress spends your hard earned tax dollars is also shameful and disgusting!" Greene wrote. "Are you paying taxes this year? I talked to two people last week who legally don't pay federal income taxes."

During the video, Greene says this country was founded by "great men" who protested the King (of England) by not paying their taxes. Given the cost of living, war in Iran and general economic outlook, Greene said it is time to take the same action again.

Greene began promoting this message back in December, when she said in a post on X that "every Trump voter I see on X is so fed up they are planning a 2026 tax revolt. And rightfully so!"

What happens if you don't pay taxes?

The last day to file and pay taxes in the United States (without an explicit extension) is April 15, so what would actually happen if you decided not to file this year, as Greene says?

The United States has a constitutional right to tax citizens thanks to the 16th amendment which states Congress "shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived." Exact taxation rules are found in the Internal Revenue Code, which also dictates how the Internal Revenue Service can operate and use citizen's personal information.

If you decide not to file taxes in 2026, a clock begins in which the IRS can apply late fees or failure to pay fees each month your taxes have not been filed, according to PBS. The fees are calculated based on a percentage of what you originally owed. The IRS could then eventually file your return on your behalf, at the standard deduction, a few years after your failed to file on your own.

Eventually, the IRS will use a lien or a levy. A lien document would create a legal claim on property or financial assets to pay back the taxes you owe. For example, if you were to sell your house the government could take a portion of the proceeds for the missed payment.

A levy would allow the federal government to seize your property and financial assets, such as seizing funds directly from your bank account, if you fail to make a payment. In some cases, the IRS might garnish your wages or take money out of your retirement account.

Eventually, tax evasion can lead to criminal charges and jail time.

Irene Wright covers politics in Georgia as the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at [email protected].