The Taxpayers originated in 2007 in Portland, Oregon. Originally a three-piece guitar/bass/drum combination, the band incorporates accordion, horns, piano, harmonica, and other instruments during recording sessions. Currently they perform live with a range from three to eight members.
They strongly support the DIY punk ethic, booking their own shows, printing their own merchandise, printing CDs from scrap material, and hand-written notes and other gifts included with each CD.