“You have presented some interesting counter points so far, but can you provide the specific law that states that US citizens have to pay a tax on their personal wages/file a 1040?”
You are correct that there is no law saying you have to file a 1040. That’s because there’s a more general law that says you have to file. Laws don’t generally specify form numbers, note the language of “according to the forms and regulations prescribed by the Secretary”
Here is the Internal Revenue Code, downloadable from the house of representatives:
(a) General rule
When required by regulations prescribed by the Secretary any person made liable for any tax imposed by this title, or with respect to the collection thereof, shall make a return or statement according to the forms and regulations prescribed by the Secretary. Every person required to make a return or statement shall include therein the information required by such forms or regulations.”