In the interest of full disclosure , I live in Amish country , and my father drives a van for them . I think that given that they provide mutual aid for one another , paid out of their own community chest , it is not unfair for them to be exempt , under the current laws . Here is what I found out about their situation .
Is it true that Amish don't have to pay taxes?
The Supreme Court has ruled that Amish who are self employed do not have to pay Social Security tax, as it is a form of insurance and as such conflicts with their religious beliefs. Amish who are employed by non-Amish employers. however, do pay this tax. Amish pay property taxes, income taxes, sales taxes, etc., as well.
https://www.ohiosamishcountry.com/articles/amish-faqsSocial security contributions are one area that gets maybe a bit murkier. If the Amish work for themselves they can be exempted from paying into social security. If they work for a non-Amish employer they have to pay into it like everyone else.
The Amish – as a general rule – don’t take government subsidies like unemployment (a totally different topic than taxes, but the two get lumped together often). During the administration of George W. Bush when most Americans received government stimulus checks an Old Order Mennonite bishop told me that he knew people in his church who either tore them up or sent them back to Washington. Even the Amish that do pay into Social Security via taxes rarely collect. So they are doing more than their fair share!
https://www.amish365.com/the-amish-and-taxes/Are members of religious groups exempt from paying Social Security taxes?
October 7, 2022 · En español · Share
Members of certain religious groups (including the Amish and Mennonites) may be exempt from paying Social Security taxes. To become exempt, they must:
Waive their rights to all benefits under the Social Security Act, including hospital insurance benefits; and
Meet the following requirements:
Be a member of a recognized religious sect conscientiously opposed to accepting benefits under a private plan or system that makes payments in the event of death, disability or retirement, or which makes payments towards the costs of or provides for medical care (including the benefits of any insurance system established by Social Security);
Be a member of a religious sect that makes a reasonable provision of food, shelter and medical care for its dependent members and has done so continuously since December 31, 1950; and
Have never received or been entitled to any benefits payable under Social Security programs.
To request an exemption from Social Security taxes, get Form 4029—Application for Exemption From Social Security and Medicare Taxes and Waiver of Benefits from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Then, file the form with the Social Security Administration (address is on the form).
IRS will either approve or disapprove the application after Social Security determines whether the applicant's religious sect meets the requirements for exemption.
https://www.ssa.gov/faqs/en/questions/KA-02411.html
08 Jul 2026, 9:43 pm
