How is taxing a church going put more money in the hands of the poor?

Question

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I keep hearing people think that churches should be taxed. So, if this happens, how will that make it so that more money goes to the poor and needy. Most churches I know do set aside money for external ministries and missions.

So, to those of you who believe that churches should be taxed, how will that help the poor and needy???

Answer 1

I think that a person is naive about economics if you think that government charities will be more efficient than private ones. Governments tend to spend money on roads, parking lots, buildings & pork barrel projects too (just like churches), not the poor, and they tend to be less efficient about it.

Churches already set aside money in their budget for the poor (in addition to the money in the budget that is used for buildings & maintenance). If you put a tax on a church's tithe income, then the churches will simply give less money to the poor, since they now have to budget money for taxes. The extra expense of tax will have to be paid for somehow, which means that money that they normally set aside for the poor will probably be sacrificed first.

====edit===

In response to "creatrix" above, churches that become involved in politics are already taxed as political lobbying organizations. Most para-church organizations separate their charity activates under a different name and keep their books separate from their political side, as the IRS requires.

Answer 2

Churches are not taxed as it is because they are non-profit organizations, HOWEVER, if they continue to involve themselves in politics as some have, they should lose that tax exepmt status. They beome POLITICAL organizations.

That doesn't answer your question, though. I don't think it will put more money into the hands of the poor. Large churches often have either corrupt leadership or leadership that has distanced itself from the original purpose of collecting money. They build huge grand structures and buy expensive cars for their leaderdership. The Vatican has a HUGE amount of money, and meanwhile they are allowing their churches to close down because they "can't afford" to pay for their upkeep. They are seriously letting down their parishoners by opting to keep riches rather than churches. HOWEVER, the government is equally bad and handling money. So either way, your money doesn't get where you intend it to go most o fthe time.

Think globally, act locally: give to local food banks, homeless shelters, and such.

Answer 3

I know for a fact, that some church money are making some priest becoming rich. And church money are also put into money-making business. To tax them is but just fair and just. The catholic church - as far as philippine settings - is concerned is a big corporation. Regular coprporation is taxed, so why no the church?

Answer 4

While some Churches like the Catholic Church and the Anglican Church hoard treasure in vast vaults, taxing churches would actually take food out of the mouths of many poor. There are many churches that scrape by only on tithes and donations, most of which goes to upkeep on the building, paying a pastor, and caring for missionaries and the poor. The more decentralized Protestant churches would probably have to cut some or most of their soup kitchens and outreach programs were they to have to pay taxes. Some would probably even fold up and have to revert to home churches.

Answer 5

Taxes go towards the overall government's budget. They assign where the money goes - healthcare, roads, welfare, education, national security. The poor and needy ARE already getting money from taxes.

Where certain amounts of money are applied is up to the current party in power. Want a stronger stance in where the money goes, start by voting.

Answer 6

Money collected by the church now is not going to help the poor but the purchase items for the church.

Answer 7

It isn't.
It will be put in the hands of another kind of greedy.
The Govt.

The poor you will always have with you is what He said. He wasn't kidding.

The church should take care of the poor, it doesn't.
Sell off the paintings and tapestries.
Dress like normal people.
Get out and get a job. We don't need you laying around all week and just on sunday.

Answer 8

I know one way. You would be surprised just how much LAND churches own. In many counties it's millions of dollars worth. They pay no taxes on that land. To make up for the property tax loss from non-taxable lands owned by churches the taxes on everyone else in the area is raised in order to make up the difference. That means that everyone is paying all the church's land tax every year.

END WELFARE AS WE KNOW IT - TAX THE CHURCH
http://www.gainesvillehumanists.org/chrchtax.htm

Answer 9

nope, taxing a church will only put more money in the pockets of the politicians. Also, you are correct! Churches should be allowed to support what ever cause they agree with. I personally dont think churches should be required to give money to a government that doesnt follow their believes...

BTW...Christian churches are not the only ones not taxed...

Answer 10

The church of england is one of the richest organsations in the country, yet they all plead poverty at every corner. They get a cut of your council tax yet they want more. Why should'nt they pay tax. And it will help the poor and needy but generating money that could be distributed out to other charities.