Is it illegal to burn money? 💸💰
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It’s a common question with a not-so-simple answer. The quick answer is that, yes, it is technically illegal to burn money in the United States. However, there are a number of caveats to that law that make it difficult to enforce. Here’s a closer look at the law and how it affects those who choose to burn money.
The Federal Reserve Act of 1913 made it a federal crime “to mutilate, cut, deface, disfigure, or perforate” currency. However, the penalty for violating this law is relatively minor—a fine of up to $100 or imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
There are a number of reasons why someone might choose to burn money, ranging from political protest to pure spite. In 2012, for example, a man in Iowa was arrested for reportedly trying to set fire to $1 bills in front of an ATM. He told police that he was protesting the government’s handling of the financial crisis.
In 2015, two men in China burned 100 yuan (the equivalent of about $15) in front of a bank in protest of what they called “unreasonable” fees. They were each fined 100 yuan for their actions.
And in 2016, a man in England burned around $5,000 in cash outside of Parliament as a protest against then-Prime Minister Theresa May’s handling of Brexit negotiations. He was not charged with any crime.
Conclusion
So, while it is technically against the law to mutilate currency, the penalties for doing so are relatively minor. And as we can see from recent examples, people do still choose to burn money from time to time as a form of protest.
