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The most influential judge in the U.S. tax system who made a statement about Americans not overpaying their taxes is likely Learned Hand.

Judge Learned Hand, who served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, is widely regarded as one of the most influential judges in American history, particularly in matters of tax law. He is famous for his statement:

“Anyone may arrange his affairs so that his taxes shall be as low as possible; he is not bound to choose that pattern which best pays the treasury. There is not even a patriotic duty to increase one’s taxes. Over and over again the Courts have said that there is nothing sinister in so arranging affairs as to keep taxes as low as possible. Everyone does it, rich and poor alike and all do right, for nobody owes any public duty to pay more than the law demands.”

This quote comes from his opinion in the case of Gregory v. Helvering (1934), which dealt with tax avoidance strategies. Hand’s statement essentially affirms that taxpayers have the right to minimize their tax burden within the bounds of the law.