I see people occasionally say "tax the churches." But they never post any reasoning. I'm willing to listen. But, I have yet to see any of these people explain themselves. Are they simply hysterical?
Follow my thoughts:
Can you tell us exactly how you envision this working?
Is it as if:
- Jane gives money to her church
- the church immediately has to pay taxes on Jane's gift/donation?
Is that how you see it working?
I see this question posted but with no info/detail as to WHY or HOW or any REASONING. Can you help us see some rationality?
By the way, Jane's donation is used to put up a building, to pay for heat, and to pay a pastor (who DOES pay income taxes). And, some money might be used to help the poor.
Are you saying that a group of people should have no right to put up a building and pay for heat and electricity unless they pay extra taxes for pooling their money?
2007-11-14 02:56:07 · 12 answers · asked by Duminos 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
If the church makes a political donation, the money has already been taxed when it was earned by the member of the church.
2007-11-14 02:57:23 · update #1
I'm bringing this up because someone on this YA board has been saying that the IRS does not tax churches when they give money to candidates. And, that person says that the churches should be taxed when they give money to candidates.
2007-11-14 03:10:54 · update #2
I say tax them. They use public resources. W hat makes them so special...Many unscrupulous people use the religious cover as a front to not pay taxes. I say tax them all.
2007-11-14 03:03:08 · answer #1 · answered by tom g 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
"If the church makes a political donation, the money has already been taxed when it was earned by the member of the church."
If the "church" is making political donations, they have no rightful claim to tax-free status. It's the law, in case you didn't know. Churches that donate to candidates can face revocation of their tax-exempt status or a 10 percent excise tax on the contributions, according to the IRS.
If you don't like it, change the law or you could move to a country where church & state are one, like Iran.
2007-11-14 03:03:29 · answer #2 · answered by unconcerned but not indifferent 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Additional details: Churches, as non-profit organizations, are NOT ALLOWED to make political donations!
I do not suggest taxing church donations, but they should pay local real estate taxes. Otherwise they are parasites on the rest of the community when it comes to the municipal services (fire, police, streets) that they benefit from. Especially since some own real estate other than the church building!
Taxing religion would have the beneficial effect of driving out the charlatans who are only in it for easy money. And religion IS an easy and lucrative con for those so inclined.
2007-11-14 03:01:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Abuses of the tax exempt status of churches not with standing, religious groups are exempt from virtually all laws (zoning, anti-discrimination, etc) all they have to do to be tax free is stay out of politics but they violate that rule constantly and are getting away with it.
However, pastors are abusing their tax free status by using the Church as a proxy to buy homes and cars that practice needs to be stopped! Aside from the examples listed below, I can tell you that James Dobson, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell (when he was alive), Larry Haggard and many others all live lives of opulence that you and I will never see--and it's all tax free!
2007-11-14 03:20:49 · answer #4 · answered by Holy Cow! 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a church not paying taxes on donations or gifts...as long as that church does not in any way endorse a specific poltical party or political candidate.
When churches begin preaching politics, they have eliminated the "separation" between themselves and the state, which allows them the tax exempt status in the first place.
2007-11-14 03:01:09 · answer #5 · answered by jimvalentinojr 6 · 4⤊ 2⤋
My feelings are if the Hollywoodites are able to express their opinion, why not the leader of a church? The pastor as you say, does pay taxes, so he has the right to freedom of speech as anyone else.
The churches provide charitable programs and work to help the disadvantaged.
There is no rationality behind it, just liberal gibberish.
No taxing of churches, ever!
.
2007-11-14 03:10:19 · answer #6 · answered by Moody Red 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
There is supposed to be a separation between Church and state, Some denominations slipped between the cracks with the so called religious right, I believe that if they want there voice to be heard in polities they they should forgo the tax exempt status. Not to be confused with all of the religious communities.
2007-11-14 03:02:46 · answer #7 · answered by Union_Dooz 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If they are mixing religion and politics they should be taxed. I live in the country of James Dobson. He is very political yet maintains his tax free status.
2007-11-14 03:10:42 · answer #8 · answered by gone 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As long as the church stays out of politics, they are okay as tax exempt. But if their ministers are pushing political agendas from the pulpit, they need to be taxed.
Moody Red: A minister holds a position of power over his/her flock. Just as bosses shouldn't push politics to their workers, ministers shouldn't preach politics from the pulpit. It is an abuse of power. If a minister does so, the church he is in charge of should be taxed.
2007-11-14 03:01:57 · answer #9 · answered by slykitty62 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
For profit, politically active churches should be taxed. Non-profit churches shouldn't.
2007-11-14 03:05:03 · answer #10 · answered by ideogenetic 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋