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Ragnar's Guide To The Underground Economy
Through detailed case studies Ragnar shows you how carpenters, woodcutters, farmers, housecleaners, computer consultants, mechanics, lawyers, vendors, locksmiths and others are cashing in on today's booming economy - and keeping what they earn by not paying taxes. From these undergrounders you'll learn how to locate work, get paid without supplying identifying numbers, prepare a realistic budget, advertise your services or product and finance your project when you can't go to the bank. You'll also learn the pitfalls of working off the books and what you can do to prepare for them.
- GenresBusiness
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
66 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 16, 2024
AN EXPERIENCED "UNDERGROUNDER" GIVES ADVICE TO NEWCOMERS
Ragnar Benson is one of the most famous Survivalist authors (e.g., 'Ragnar's Urban Survival: A Hard-Times Guide to Staying Alive in the City,' 'The Survival Retreat: A Total Plan For Retreat Defense,' 'Survival Poaching,' etc.).
He wrote in the Preface to this 1999 book, "Working in the underground economy is not about acting stupid to prove a point. It's about taking care of yourself and your family without drawing attention to yourself."
He dryly observes, "Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society, some political philosophers deep within the bowels of the IRS claim. I respond by pointing out that I have seen taxes more than double during my relatively short time on this Earth. A corresponding doubling of civility has demonstrably not occurred." (Pg. ix)
He notes that barter is not common in the underground economy: "'Cash is the only thing that pays my bills, and significant items such as building lots and vehicles are too easy to track,' I was told often by undergrounders." (Pg. 25)
He suggests, "people working in the underground economy must live plain-vanilla lives. They can't even have a bank account, much less a large bank account. Probably they cannot labor very long in a single fixed location or for one employer. Generally, they are best served working for private individuals. Receipts must all be cash or near cash. And names, SSNs, and dates of birth must all be fabricated by one means or another." (Pg. 28)
He concludes on the note, "Remember the golden rule of undergrounders. Whenever and wherever tax rates exceed 20 percent of a person's earnings, underground activity will be universal and pervasive." (Pg. 147)
Whether you take Benson 100% literally or not, his books are always stimulating and entertaining reading.
Ragnar Benson is one of the most famous Survivalist authors (e.g., 'Ragnar's Urban Survival: A Hard-Times Guide to Staying Alive in the City,' 'The Survival Retreat: A Total Plan For Retreat Defense,' 'Survival Poaching,' etc.).
He wrote in the Preface to this 1999 book, "Working in the underground economy is not about acting stupid to prove a point. It's about taking care of yourself and your family without drawing attention to yourself."
He dryly observes, "Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society, some political philosophers deep within the bowels of the IRS claim. I respond by pointing out that I have seen taxes more than double during my relatively short time on this Earth. A corresponding doubling of civility has demonstrably not occurred." (Pg. ix)
He notes that barter is not common in the underground economy: "'Cash is the only thing that pays my bills, and significant items such as building lots and vehicles are too easy to track,' I was told often by undergrounders." (Pg. 25)
He suggests, "people working in the underground economy must live plain-vanilla lives. They can't even have a bank account, much less a large bank account. Probably they cannot labor very long in a single fixed location or for one employer. Generally, they are best served working for private individuals. Receipts must all be cash or near cash. And names, SSNs, and dates of birth must all be fabricated by one means or another." (Pg. 28)
He concludes on the note, "Remember the golden rule of undergrounders. Whenever and wherever tax rates exceed 20 percent of a person's earnings, underground activity will be universal and pervasive." (Pg. 147)
Whether you take Benson 100% literally or not, his books are always stimulating and entertaining reading.
December 29, 2016
Information was repetitive and outdated, being written in '98 and not very inclusive of technology. Poorly written in some places makes reading less enjoyable. The first book I've thrown after completion.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews