Who audits the Catholic church?

Question

Do priests and nuns file income taxes? If not, why not?

I am not a bigot. I am curious about the Catholic church in particular because there are priests and nuns who live in my area, in very nice (and expensive) houses they did not pay for, driving new cars every year that they did not pay for, going on vacation several times a year - including cruises - that they did not pay for, and yes, I know these things for facts, as another neighbor works in the office at the very large church where these priests and nuns preach to everyone else about not making enough sacrifices for the church. When I see and hear these things from other denominations, I will post questions about them, too. "Vow of poverty"? Really?

I'm still unclear about some things. Am I to understand that parishioners think it's ok to basically fund the lifestyles of the church higher-up's, even though those lifestyles are well beyond the ones of the parishioners themselves? What constitutes "doing their job well"? The head priest "works" about a half a day a week (two masses on Sunday), is never even on the church campus, or otherwise available to parishioners, the rest of the time, and spends more time on the golf course than anywhere else. The nun is an administrator who also has a rather abbreviated schedule. They have very 'cushy" lives for very little input. I don't understand why this is allowed. The "civilians" who are employed at the church work full time (at least 40 hours a week), get minimal benefits and nothing more. Isn't this a blatant misuse of parishioner contributions? When parishioners make a weekly donation/offering, don't they presume that their money is for other things, like community-related projects?

Answer 1

Priests and nuns do get a salary, not sure about the taxes part.
Having worked for the Catholic Church, I know there are large sums of cash floating around Sunday evenings and they audit themselves. I think it's one of the reasons you see clergy "sinning." Just like our current administration when any one power stays in place too long, corruption and then arrogance set in. You have to be a person with a lot of integrity to withstand the temptation such positions make available. Both get a failing grade in my very humble opinion.

Answer 2

The Catholic Church is not a single entity nor is it centrally governed. It is thousands of independent entitities both legally and ecclesiastically. Some of the organizations have no reason for an audit because they are totally self-contained. A simple example of this is a monestary. The only claimants are the members of the monestary and it is like living in a large house. Why would ten people living together need to hire a CPA to audit their records annually when they can just go look at them?

Priests do file income tax returns, generally and some nuns do if they have an income. Most nuns and monks and some priests take a vow of poverty. As such, they own nothing and receive no income personally. They do not possess a right to use a vehicle anymore than the president of IBM has a right to use an IBM vehicle. They are taxed on earned income and personal use of a vehicle or a home that is not for the benefit of the Church. For example, if your employer provided housing for its benefit it would not be taxable to you. If it provides it as compensation then it would be. Monks and nuns are like the Amish, if they do not have personal income they do not have taxable income.

As for the larger structures of the Catholic Church such as a diocese, the answer depends upon the specific bishop as each diocese is self-governing. Higher order structures such as metropolia and national conferences have no direct jurisdiction over the diocese. In a sense, the highest legal structure within the Catholic Church is the bishop. The Vatican, like all episcopal structure, is completely independent of the local churches, but also has little authority over them.

Answer 3

The Vatican has an organizational set-up. Naturally, even without asking, they control their own funds. Knows where it goes, How much interests earned and lists of big private multinational and domestic companies that they have investments.

In the Philippines, the church is considered a sole corporation and exempt from taxes in whatever form except when they engage in private business with the aim of profit. Some priests do not take the vow of poverty, hence, they can acquire properties. Who audits them here? Their parishioners.

Answer 4

Annual audit information is provided through the diocesan finance office.

Priests and nuns are not required to take vows of poverty, although some who live in monasteries choose to do so.

Priests and nuns receive salaries like everyone else, and may receive housing and/or an automobile allowance as part of their compensation package.

Most Catholics that I know have no problem with some of their weekly offerings going towards these parish expenses, so long as those being compensated do their jobs well.

1Ti 5:17 Let the priests that rule well be esteemed worthy of double honour: especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
1Ti 5:18 For the scripture saith: Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn: and, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

Answer 5

Like most religions The Catholic Church is tax free, so are there investments and any profits gained therein.

The Catholic Church has been one of the bigeest multinationals for centuries started when they stole all the wealth of the Knights Templars, before that they were struggling.

Lets not bandy about ..the church has got wealthy throught theft, embezzlement, murder,conquest. political shennanigans and con tricks like tithes and bribes.

All the good things they obviously believe Christianity stands for...... otherwise the wouldnt have done it.

The have kept there parishiners poor, ignorant and enslaved ( funny how the Catholic church prospers most in the third world) whilst they get rich and then feed back miniscule amounts to these communities whilst their Cardinals wear gowns costing thousands of dollars and their pope has more bling then Jay Z.

The Catholic Church is the whore of Babylon and she will fall in the last days.

Answer 6

Why are you only asking this question about the Catholic Church and not about other religions? I smell a bigot.

Answer 7

No!
religion is exempt from taxes.

Answer 8

they don't have incomes. They take a vow of poverty

Answer 9

the catholic church...........

Answer 10

sex offender's