[Verse 1] In section two-four-eight subsection one The Act defines what counts as income run "Amount" means money or rights expressed In dollar terms, that's all the law's confessed No deeper truth about what wealth should be Just administrative simplicity [Chorus] It's not economic, not philosophical Just administrative, purely practical If you can't express it in dollar signs The Income Tax Act draws the lines Two-four-eight-one, the only definition Money or rights, that's the admission [Verse 2] What gets left out tells the bigger story Non-market trades don't share the glory When neighbors swap their skills for free That value's invisible, can't you see Imputed income from your own home The rent you'd pay but call your own [Chorus] It's not economic, not philosophical Just administrative, purely practical If you can't express it in dollar signs The Income Tax Act draws the lines Two-four-eight-one, the only definition Money or rights, that's the admission [Bridge] Family meals prepared at home Self-sufficiency standing alone Barter systems, gifts of time All excluded by design The Act won't tell you why it's fair These principles just aren't there [Verse 3] In-kind provision, growing your own food Value created, but not pursued The garden's harvest feeds your family well But tax law has no tale to tell These exclusions have no principled base Just administrative saving face [Chorus] It's not economic, not philosophical Just administrative, purely practical If you can't express it in dollar signs The Income Tax Act draws the lines Two-four-eight-one, the only definition Money or rights, that's the admission [Outro] So when you wonder what is income truly The Act stays silent, speaking purely Of amounts and dollars, nothing more Philosophy waits outside the door Two-four-eight-one, remember this line If it's not money, then it's fine
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