Should churches be paying property taxes, and possibly other taxes?

Question

In the U.S., churches are allowed to have property and businesses tax free, but in Stafford (TX) they are finding it hard to pay for city services, because of the number of large churches in the community, that are not paying taxes. Jesus said to pay until Caesar what is Caesar's, yet Churches find any way possible to avoid paying taxes. Should they be paying taxes, like any other businesses?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/18/AR2006081801056.html?nav=rss_metro/va

Thirty minutes, 23 answers, and not one makes note that Jesus was the one who said that they should be paying taxes. It doesn't matter what the government wants or doesn't want, or the people for that matter, but the churches are suppose to be following the teachings of Jesus, and he said to pay the taxes. If they aren't, than they are saying that Jesus was wrong.

Answer 1

The Constitution protects the free exercise of religion, but not the tax free operation of churches. I can't see how having them pay their actual costs on city services can be construed as unconstitutional. Actually, for a city to effectively subsidize churches by picking up such costs for free is a Constitutional violation as it is respect for the establishment of religion.

Answer 2

First let me say that I am not Christian. I just don't think that you should tax a church. Churches are supposed to be non profit and therefore would fit into the non taxable buildings. Some churches barely make enough on donations to keep the facility running. If you tax them then that church will have to be shut down and all the people in it will have to go elsewhere or they won't be able to go to church at all. However, I think that each church should have to prove that they are non profit and produce their records every year to be able to get this status. I know a few churches that should be taxed and heavily because they are taking money from the people left and right for other things besides tithings. If a church is really a church then they will be glad to show records and if they are not then they will fight it and/or show altered or fake records. Then how can they say that others will go to hell if they themselves are saying lies.

Answer 3

If the churches pay taxes then they have the same rights as voters. You cannot exclude them from schools or any other public place that they want to use for their forum.

Too, the government will start legislating, rules and laws governing church material and other aspects of it.

That would be a violation of one of the founding principles of our Government.

What services, provided by your state are the churches using that burden your state government?

The church does not get free water or energy. They do not require special state protection. Too, the state nor the government are allowed to use TAX money to support an faith!

I believe the members of this forum deserve an example of costs that the churches are leveling on your state/city government to justify your stated position.

Answer 4

No more so than any other non-profit organization, such as the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, etc. As far as that goes, if you actually knew how little most businesses pay in taxes, you would be appalled, as they've got loopholes to get out of most of their taxes. My tax theory is simple - everyone across the board regardless of business, income, etc. pays 10% to "Caesar" period the end. The only catch is, "Caesar" cannot in anyway tell you how you can then use any funds you might be entitled to from him. This way all businessness have to pay on their profits not just their gain, and all citizens pay on their gross and do away with all these standardized deductions etc. Part of America's complaint and fight against Great Britain was taxation and we've got far more reason to stand up agains taxation today than they did then, and this is our own country.

Answer 5

I used to think the same thing, but you miss a very key point- remember the "Taxation without Representation" cry during the American Revolution ? A very important part of American government is that by paying taxes, it implies you should have some sort of say in how the government is run. Religious organizations are not taxed, but the flip side is that they are forbidden from lobbying politically. Granted, many religious organizations do have political groups loosely associated with them and people with common religious/political goals can form political groups(subject to taxation), but a church cannot be involved politically).

By taxing churches, you also mess up the wall between church and state in a very important way.

Answer 6

All churches are nothing but a big business designed to fleece the poor people who attend or watch on TV. They should be taxed just as any other business is. If you look at the books of most churches you will find that they certainly are not non-profit !!

Answer 7

Sure. We need to separate the state and the religion. Churches are BIG business, just look at the religious programs in the television. Can you imagine Jesus with a Rolex? Pay for it!

Answer 8

Yeah they should.

There is zero doubt in my mind that a Church is a business. It may have a lofty goal, but nonetheless it's a business.

It makes us feel better knowing that they have special circumstances, like we are somehow supporting God by not taxing the Church ... but really....I'd like to treat it like a tiered thing. If you are in a storefront with folding chairs .. you get a free pass. Once you have a video projector to show the lyrics .. it's time to Pay the Man!!!

lol .. fun question, thanks!

Answer 9

God creature should be given ten days to show up and prove it exists or loose their tax free status. Why should the government force us to subsidize religion by paying the taxes they don't? A clear violation of separation of church and state if I ever heard one.

Answer 10

Papa_Bear,
Churches should keep their status as tax free is that's what it's called.

So the answer I have for you is "no."

They are not buisnesses. The buisness side of churches, the tape sales and book ssales, should be taxed. But the offerings and tithes are none of the governments buisness. They need to stay out of that.