This entry contains information applicable to United States law only.

The process whereby an individual plans his or her finances so as to apply all exemptions and deductions provided by tax laws to reduce taxable income.

Through tax avoidance, an individual takes advantage of all legal opportunities to minimize his or her state or federal income tax, gift tax, or estate tax. An individual may, for example, avoid federal income tax by investing a large sum of money in municipal bonds, since the interest on such bonds is not considered taxable income on which federal tax is due. Interest on the same amount of money placed in a savings account must be included as taxable income.

Tax avoidance must be distinguished from tax evasion, which is the employment of unlawful methods to circumvent the payment of taxes. Tax evasion is a crime; tax avoidance is not.

• Platform: Atari Video Computer System
• Release Date: 1982
• Similar Games: Porky's (Atari Video Computer System), Miner 2049er (Atari Video Computer System), Donkey Kong (Atari Video Computer System)

Game Description

In Tax Avoiders, the goal is to earn $1 million by the year's end. That's $1 million after taxes, mind you, because the IRS, tax sheltered investments, and other income issues all come to play. Can you, as John Q. Taxpayer, strike it rich?

There are two screens in Tax Avoiders. Screen 1 resembles the rivets level in Donkey Kong. Viewed from the side, there are four levels and an elevator shaft that you may use to go from level to level. On each level there are dollar signs, which earn you income, and red tape, which drains your income. Collect as much money as you can during this period.

At the bottom of the screen, time is marked off by a calendar. When you reach the halfway mark though a quarter, the game switches to screen 2.

Screen 2 resembles the multi-platformed, mulit-laddered screens of Miner 2049er. You can climb around on the ladders and jump from platform to platform.

There are also friends and foes in screen 2. Pursuing you is a small man who changes colors to indicate his changing jobs. When he is black, he is Eggie the IRS Agent. Avoid him, or be audited to the tune of $100,000. When he is pink, he is Waggie, an accountant who is soliciting your business. Catch him and pay him $1,000, and he will make a valuable Tax Sheltered Investment appear. When the man is green he is Toodles, a registered investment advisor who will offer the best Tax Sheltered Investment available.

The Tax Sheltered Investments are various symbols that appear on screen 2 and represent Solar Energy, Gas & Oil Investments, R&D Investments, etc. Get a good investment and your wealth will go up. Get a bad investment, and it will go down. After you touch an investment, you must place it a small suitcase that appears representing your portfolio.

When the quarter ends, your income is taxed, and you are returned to the screen 1. The game ends at the end of the year, December 31. You win the game if you have made over $1 million. ~ Michael Schwartz/Joan Dykman, All Game Guide

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