Why dont churches pay taxes?

Question

i think they should pay taxes just like everybody else. just because you have a religon doesnt make you "better " or above the law from everyone else. Have you seen the homes these preachers live in? Where does all they money go too? college tuition for their kids? private school?

shouldnt they "help" homeless people? If bill gates donates millions of dollars for aids ..why dont churches donate their money to help the less fortunate..or find a cure for "Humanity" FREE money that was handed to them.

Answer 1

Dark,

The power to tax is the power to CONTROL.

Do you really want the Government telling churches what they can or cannot preach?

If you start taxing churches or any legitimate practice of Faith, you could then have the Government regulating the opinions they do not like, by simply taxing them out of existence.

It is far better to have to put up with the abuses and mis-uses of the privilege by some.

There are other reasons also, but to my mind, this is the MAIN objection to taxing them.




...theBerean

Answer 2

The whole purpose that Jefferson and Madison mentioned the "separation of church and state" was to protect the church FROM the state, and not the other way around, since that separation (the state from the church) was already inherently set and secured in the form of government that was established, a democratic republic, rather than a monarchy with a state church as in the Western European countries at the time.

It was our forefathers understanding that in order for a democratic republic to function in the most orderly and efficient manner, the church had to play the part of being like salt on the American culture, preserving the conscience (and educating) of its people (i.e., as a result, Christians today donate to charities 4 times more than non-churched folks, according to the Gallup poll). The revolution in France was an example of exactly what not to do, where there was not any understanding of this nor any respect for what the church could do to assist in a government that would guarantee basic human rights and freedoms. Unrest prevailed and millions died until Napoleon replaced it with his totalitarian state. Then, the French leaders took the American's (particularly Jefferson, who was the US Ambassador) advice after he was deposed and took refuge on Elba.

I say all this to conclude with the following. Any institution in a culture that is a non-profit organization and exists specifically for the benefit of its people should not be taxed. This includes not only the church, but synagogues, mosques, etc.! That would be like biting the hand that feeds you. Yes, there are abuses of this on both sides, but the benefits far outweigh these minor problems. And believe me, they are minor in comparison. (Just take a look at Myanmar, Zimbabwe, and even China). We all need to take a serious and sober look at how our country became so great. The combination of the Judeo-Christian ethic and a democratic republic form of government are the reasons for our continuing liberties and prosperity; without one, we are eventually going to lose the other as well, if not self-implode like the Roman empire did with all of its corruption.

Answer 3

If religious institutions paid taxes, they'd have a right to influence how your tax dollars were spent, and boy would that cause problems. By the same token, they shouldn't be allowed to own real property, only lease it.

The problem is, religions get away with influencing laws all the time anyway. Many streets around churches have special one-way rules and parking laws on Sundays. I have to worry about getting a ticket because on Sunday I'm not allowed to drive in the direction I drive on a certain road six other days of the week. Yeah, there's a sign, but I'm still the one being inconvenienced for their absurd belief in an invisible sky pixie!

(To InSeattle above - Ross Perot (and the others) most certainly does pay taxes, and they became a matter of public record as soon as he ran for president.)

Answer 4

There is no constituitional provision that exempts churches from paying taxes . Governments ( incl. Fed. & State and local) exempted them as a coutesy back in the days when they did not really make a profit and had few possesions .
An Example : Back in the days when nuns would lead a life of povety and live in group homes called convents they would provide services such as teaching and nursing without pay . Now nuns earn salaries ( given to the church which gives them back a large portion) . They have careers such as lawyers and CEOs . The nun who directs the Convenent house program for run-a-way children makes hundreds of thounds of dollars a year in salary and benfits . ( I know an Atheist who runs an Animal Rescue Group for $1.00 a year .)
Another Example : The Catholic Church owns two huge vaction resorts for nuns and priests down the NJ shore . I know one is valued at well over 10 million dollars . This resort was originally a "retreat" where over worked or injured nuns and priests could go for a week or so and relax a bit from their daily work while praying and meditating . But now they are empty except during the summertime because they all want to go when the stores and restaurants and beaches are open .
3rd example : The NYC Archdiocece was offered a billion doller lease deal for use of air space above a small cemetary in back of St. Patricks Cathedral . The Cardinal refused the deal ( which could have provided lots of care for those in need ) mainly because he said it would spoil the view fro the rectory he lived in .

The churches get lots of other breaks too . For Example: in NYC and NJ ( and most other places ) The parking spots outside of churches and rectories are reserved for church use 24/7 . This in about 10,000 parking spots in NYC . 30,000 in NJ .

The problem is small non-profits like the Animal Rescue I mentioned deserve the tax break .

I think the churches ( temples , mosques ,etc.) should have a limit on the amount of tax free profit they can make . That way they will be more inclined to spend money on the needy instead of accumulating wealth . I think that all church property not being actively used for non-profit use should be taxed . Some churches have huge decorative grounds where they could build things like free out patient treatment centers , or conduct weekly flea markets on ( giving the money to local soup kitchens or such ) .

EDIT for Don . You are right . Consider this : The NYC Archdiocese was able to use over 1.5 million dollars they kept instead of paying NYC taxes, to force the NYC goverment to shell out 3.1 million . They did this by taking the NYC school system and other NYC agencies to court trying to prevent NYC public schools from teacing condom use and making condoms available in the nurses office .

rkeech : rthe 1st amendment does NOT mean they can't be taxed at a fair rate . The fear was that if certain goverments such asstate or local ( or even the Federal) , wanted to they could force certain churches out of the area by imposing restrictive taxes such as England once had on non-Anglican churches . But there is nothing in the constitution that would prohibit taxing churches at a rate equal to ( or below) other establishments . Why should the Rockville Center NY Million Dollar Bishop's Residence be tax free while other people are losing their homes due to the property tax increases ?
And churches have ALWAY been involved in trying to influence the government . From the "underground railroad" during the Civil War to the Viet Nam War Protests . And fighting Sex Ed & Evolution in the schools , fighting abortion laws , etc.

Answer 5

I don't have a problem with the 'idea' of churches being tax-exempt (they are supposedly non-profit), however, the way this policy is manifesting itself is shameful. It would seem most churches collect money to build bigger churches.....as opposed to helping the needy, etc. Also...TAX PAYER money is funding 'faith-based' initiatives as the neocons like to call them. Either pay taxes and get government assistance or stay tax exempt and completely free from government interference. It would seem churches are trying to have it both ways via a double standard....which really means no standard.

Answer 6

Check ur Tax Laws. Religious bodies are often made exempt. Donations are not usually taxable.

TW K

Answer 7

However, if churches start getting involved in politics, then they should pay taxes. Part of the deal about churches being tax-exempt is that they stay out of government affairs.

Answer 8

To preserve a separation of church and state.

You can't tax a church and then deny it the right to interfere in politics (no taxation without representation, after all).

That being said, there's no reason why Churches shouldn't be taxed on any property or assets that are not directly involved in the practice of worship.

Answer 9

Why should the government care about their money, they don't care about their God, btw churches or non-profit, but a preacher on salary does have to pay taxes, so now what ?

Answer 10

Churches are granted constitutional separation from the state, which means the government can't tax them.