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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An Indianapolis man is set to argue before a state appellate court that Indiana's religious freedom law protects him from paying taxes.
The Indianapolis Star reports that 41-year-old Rodney Tyms-Bey's case is scheduled for oral arguments before the state Appellate Court on Monday. Tyms-Bey has argued that the state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act allows him to argue that paying his state taxes is a burden on his religion. He owes about $1,000.
Prosecutors argue that Tyms-Bey can't use the defense because he didn't identify his religion and paying income taxes doesn't burden religious practices.
Tyms-Bey's defense attorney, Matthew Gerber, says a jury should decide if his client has a closely held religious belief.
Others in Indiana have cited the 2015 law as a defense for criminal charges.
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