Regarding Q.3431, is it permissible for one to declare 'I have no income' when he HAS an income?

The first point to be born in mind is that not all taxes can be termed as%0D%0Aunjust.%0D%0A%0D%0AThe government of a country has the right to demand some form of taxes from%0D%0Aits citizens. After all, they do enjoy many of the public conveniences%0D%0Aprovided by the government. The citizen should thus contribute to such%0D%0Aamenities.%0D%0A%0D%0ASome people would counter this by complaining of the poor quality of%0D%0Aservices provided by the government. While we do accept that the level of%0D%0Aservices leaves much to be desired, putting emotional arguments aside and%0D%0Aviewing the situation rationally, we cannot deny that such services do%0D%0Aexist, and have to be funded.%0D%0A%0D%0AThe fuqaha have mentioned that the government has the right to impose public%0D%0Aprojects on the populace. By way of example, if an area requires a dam, the%0D%0Agovernment can impose upon the community that will benefit from dam to fund%0D%0Athe building of the dam. Therefore, it can be understood that in principle,%0D%0Athe government has a right to claim for the public amenities provided.%0D%0A%0D%0AOn the other hand the taxes demanded by government may be exorbitant. It is%0D%0Aquite clear that presently governments squander large amounts of money, and%0D%0Acorruption is rife. A certain degree of the taxes demanded are no doubt%0D%0Aunjust.%0D%0A%0D%0AThe crucial question that arises is that what fraction of taxes can be said%0D%0Ato be legitimate, and what portion unjust? What formula can be applied to%0D%0Adetermine these ratios?%0D%0A%0D%0AShaikhul Islam Mufti Taqi Uthmaani Saheb has conceded that there is no magic%0D%0Aformula to solve this problem. His suggestion, which appears to be the most%0D%0Aequitable solution, is that each person should use the best of his%2Fher%0D%0Adiscretion, and fix an amount that he%2Fshe perceives to justly reflect a fair%0D%0Aamount that he%2Fshe owes the government for the amenities provided. It is%0D%0Alargely a matter left up to the conscience of the individual.%0D%0A%0D%0AThe issue is not straight forward concealing one's income. Rather, it is in%0D%0Athe context of government corruption.%0D%0A%0D%0Aand Allah Ta'ala Knows Best%0D%0A%0D%0AMoulana Imraan Vawda%0D%0AFATWA DEPT.%0D%0A%0D%0ACHECKED AND APPROVED CORRECT: Mufti Ebrahim Desai