The Amish pay most taxes but are exempt from some, and they do not vote

The Amish pay federal income tax, state income tax, and property tax like other Americans. They do not pay into Social Security or Medicare through payroll deductions, and they are exempt from some self-employment taxes. The Amish do not vote in any elections—federal, state, or local. This is a religious choice based on their belief that taking part in government affairs contradicts their faith, not a legal exemption.

The tax picture is more complicated than a straightforward yes or no because different rules explore depending on whether an Amish person is self-employed, works for someone else, or runs a business. Understanding which taxes they do and do not pay requires looking at each type separately.

Key Takeaways

  • The Amish pay federal and state income tax on wages and business income, and they pay property tax on land and buildings.
  • The Amish are exempt from paying into Social Security and Medicare if they meet specific religious criteria and file the correct IRS form.
  • Self-employed Amish people do not pay self-employment tax on their business income, which is a significant financial difference from other self-employed Americans.
  • The Amish do not vote in any elections because voting conflicts with their religious beliefs about separation from worldly government.
  • An Amish person who works for a non-Amish employer must pay payroll taxes like any other employee, with no religious exemption.

Income tax: Amish pay it on wages and business earnings

The Amish file federal income tax returns and pay federal income tax on wages, business income, and other earnings. If an Amish person works for an employer—Amish or not—federal income tax is withheld from their paycheck the same way it is for any other employee. There is no religious exemption from income tax itself.

State income tax works the same way. An Amish person living in a state with income tax must file a state return and pay tax on their income. Some states have slightly different rules about what counts as income, but the Amish are not treated differently from other residents.

The key difference appears when an Amish person is self-employed. A non-Amish self-employed person pays both income tax and self-employment tax (which funds Social Security and Medicare). An Amish self-employed person pays income tax but may be exempt from self-employment tax if they meet the IRS requirements—which is where the real tax savings come in.

Social Security and Medicare: Amish can opt out if they meet IRS rules

The Amish can be exempt from paying into Social Security and Medicare, but only if they meet strict conditions set by the IRS. They must be self-employed, be members of a recognized religious sect that opposes public insurance, and file Form 4029 with the IRS before their first self-employment tax is due. Once approved, they do not pay the self-employment tax portion that would normally go to Social Security and Medicare.

An Amish person who works for someone else—even another Amish employer—cannot use this exemption. They must pay payroll taxes like any other employee. The exemption only applies to self-employed Amish people who own their own business or farm.

The trade-off is significant: Amish people who opt out of Social Security do not receive Social Security benefits in retirement. They rely instead on family support and community help, which is consistent with their religious values about mutual aid. This is a deliberate choice, not an accident of the tax code.

Property tax: Amish pay it on land and buildings

The Amish pay property tax on any land, buildings, or structures they own, just like any other property owner. There is no religious exemption from property tax in any state. If an Amish family owns a home, a farm, or a business building, they receive a property tax bill and must pay it.

Some Amish communities have negotiated with local governments to pay a flat fee or a reduced rate in exchange for maintaining their land in a certain way, but this is a local agreement, not a tax law. It varies by county and township and is not available everywhere.

Why the Amish do not vote

The Amish do not vote in federal, state, or local elections. This is a religious conviction, not a legal restriction. Their faith teaches that taking part in government—including voting—separates them from their community and their religious principles. Voting is seen as involvement in worldly affairs that contradicts the Amish value of separation from the broader society.

This belief is rooted in their interpretation of the Bible and has been part of Amish practice for centuries. It is not that the Amish are prevented from voting by law; they choose not to vote because of their faith. A person born Amish who leaves the church and joins mainstream society would be free to vote, and some do.

The Amish also do not hold public office, serve on juries, or take part in military service for the same religious reasons. These are all seen as forms of participation in government that conflict with their beliefs.

What happens if an Amish person works for a non-Amish employer

If an Amish person is employed by a non-Amish business or organization, they are treated like any other employee for tax purposes. Their employer withholds federal income tax, state income tax (if applicable), Social Security tax, and Medicare tax from their paycheck. The Amish employee has no exemption from these withholdings.

The only way an Amish person can avoid paying into Social Security and Medicare is to be self-employed and to file Form 4029 with the IRS. Working as an employee for someone else does not may have access to for the exemption, regardless of the employer's religion.

This is one reason why many Amish people prefer to be self-employed or to work for Amish-owned businesses—it gives them the option to file for the Social Security exemption if their community supports it.

Amish-owned businesses and income tax

An Amish person who owns a business—a carpentry shop, a farm, a bakery, or any other enterprise—must report business income on their federal and state tax returns. They calculate their profit (income minus business expenses) and pay income tax on that profit. This is the same process any self-employed person follows.

The difference is in self-employment tax. A non-Amish self-employed person pays self-employment tax on their net business income. An Amish self-employed person who has filed Form 4029 does not pay this tax. This can amount to a significant savings—self-employment tax is 15.3 percent of net income (as of 2024), split between Social Security and Medicare.

Amish business owners also pay sales tax on goods they sell (if their state requires it) and must follow the same business licensing and record-keeping rules as any other business owner in their area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the Amish have to file tax returns?

Yes. The Amish must file federal income tax returns if their income exceeds the filing threshold, just like any other American. The threshold depends on age, filing status, and type of income. Self-employed Amish people must file even if their income is below the threshold if they had net self-employment income of $400 or more.

Can an Amish person get a refund if they overpaid taxes?

Yes. If an Amish person's employer withheld too much tax, or if they paid estimated taxes and ended up owing less, they can file a return and receive a refund just like anyone else. The IRS does not treat Amish refunds differently.

What if an Amish person becomes a U.S. citizen—do they have to vote?

No. Citizenship does not require voting. An Amish person who becomes a citizen is legally allowed to vote but is not required to. Their religious beliefs against voting remain their personal choice.

Do Amish children have to pay taxes on money they earn?

Amish children who work and earn income above the filing threshold must file a tax return and pay income tax, the same as any other child. If they are self-employed and meet the religious criteria, they can also file for the Social Security exemption once they reach the age of self-employment.

Can an Amish person claim the standard deduction?

Yes. The Amish use the same standard deduction as any other taxpayer when they file their federal income tax return. They can also itemize deductions if it results in a lower tax bill, though many Amish people use the standard deduction because it is simpler.