"Can I claim the government as a dependent on my taxes?” is a jocular saying that has been printed on ecards and bumper stickers. “I still can’t figure out why I can’t list the government as a dependent when filing my income tax return” was cited in a 1947 newspaper. “If the taxes get any higher, the taxpayer soon will be able to list the government as a dependent,” American humorist Herb Shriner (1918-1970) said in 1952.

The “Strictly Business” newspaper comic strip, by Dale McFeatters, had the captions “Hope you don’t mind—I’ve listed the government as a dependent!” (in 1958) and “Nevertheless, you can’t list the government as a dependent!” (in 1960).


4 March 1947, Chicago (IL) Daily Tribune, “In the WAKE of the NEWS” by Arch Ward, pg. 21, col. 3:
Say, That’s an Idea
I still can’t figure out why I can’t list the government as a dependent when filing my income tax return.—Irish.

6 March 1952, The Progress (Clearfield, PA), pg. 1, col. 4 photo caption:
STUDYING HIS INCOME TAX FORM in New York, TV star Herb Shriner muses: (...) “If the taxes get any higher, the taxpayer soon will be able to list the government as a dependent.”

10 April 1958, Boston (MA) Herald, “Strictly Business” (comic strip) by McFeatters, pg. 22, col. 5:
(A person handing in a tax return.—ed.)
“Hope you don’t mind—I’ve listed the government as a dependent!”

9 March 1959, Boston (MA) Daily Globe, “Editorial Points,” pg. 10, col. 2:
Unfortunately we can not, in making out the income tax, list the government as a dependent.

11 March 1960, Dallas (TX) Morning News, “Strictly Business” (comic strip) by McFeatters, sec. 1, pg. 13, col. 8:
(A person handing in a tax return.—ed.)
“Nevertheless, you can’t list the government as a dependent!”

12 November 1963, Boston (MA) Herald, “Strictly Business” (comic strip) by McFeatters, pg. 18, col. 5:
(A person is being lectured by a tax auditor.—ed,)
“Nevertheless, you can’t list the government as a dependent!”

4 May 1976, Springfield (MA) Union, “Ben Wicks” (comic strip), pg. 14, col. 5:
“I’m afraid you cannot claim the government as a dependent!”

Google News Archive
13 April 1994, Rockmart (GA) Journal, pg. 4A, col. 3 editorial cartoon:
(Spoken by someone from the IRS.—ed.)
I’m sorry, Mr. Fuzzley, you can’t claim the state government as a dependent on your tax return.

Google Groups: alt.humor.jewish
TAXES DUE!
Renee
4/8/02
(...)
When filling out my income-tax form, can I claim the government as a dependent?

Google Groups: alt.recovery.aa
??Happy Patricks Day
Tommy
3/17/05
(...)
When filling out my income-tax form, can I claim the government as a dependent?

Google Groups: The Jokester
Can I Claim The Government As A Dependent?
The Jokester
4/15/06
(...)
When filling out my income-tax form, can I claim the government as a dependent?

Twitter
Stephanie
‏@SiraKebbeh
thinks everyone should claim the government as a “dependent” on their taxes this year.
10:35 AM - 3 Mar 2009

Twitter
Aditi Anand
‏@aditibliss
Can I claim the government as a dependent on my tax return?
3:05 PM - 15 Apr 2009

CNBC.com
Election Bumper Stickers: Honk If I’m Paying Your Mortgage!
Cindy Perman | @CindyPerman
Monday, 1 Nov 2010 | 2:30 PM ET
(...)
4. This Year, I Listed the Federal Government as a Dependent on My Taxes.

Twitter
Jake Stewart
‏@THE_jstew92
i wonder if i can claim the federal government as a dependent on this years federal taxes
11:40 AM - 5 Feb 2013

Twitter
The Last Great Stand
‏@LastGreatStand
Can I claim the government as a dependent on my taxes?
12:06 PM - 5 Feb 2013