Turns out the answer is yes! As I was writing about paying taxes I was curious about what the Bible says about the topic. I wanted to share an article written by Mary Fairchild who writes a Christianity Blog.
In Matthew 17:24-27 it shows that Jesus did pay taxes. “From whom do the Kings of the earth collect duty and taxes – from their own sons or from others?” asked Jesus. And Peter answered “from others.”
“Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
Fairchild also explains that Matthew, Mark and Luke tell of another account. In Matthew 22: 15-22 it talks about the Pharisees trying to trap Jesus in his words. “Teacher,” they said, “we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” Then Jesus pointed out that it is Caesar’s head that is on the coin. He said “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
According to Fairchild, the gospels show that Jesus taught others to give the government any taxes that are owed.
In Romans 13:1 it says “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Fairchild points out that this verse shows that if we don’t pay taxes, we are rebelling against the authorities that were established by God.
Finally, in Romans 13: 5-7 Paul makes it pretty clear. “Therefore it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are also God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”