Should churches, synagogues & mosques etc. be taxed?

Should churches, synagogues & mosques etc. be taxed?


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Should non-profits be taxed?

Currently most religious organizations escape taxation by applying for tax exemptions.


"To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual.

In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.

Organizations described in section 501(c)(3) are commonly referred to as charitable organizations. Organizations described in section 501(c)(3), other than testing for public safety organizations, are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions in accordance with Code section 170.

The organization must not be organized or operated for the benefit of private interests, and no part of a section 501(c)(3) organization's net earnings may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.

If the organization engages in an excess benefit transaction with a person having substantial influence over the organization, an excise tax may be imposed on the person and any organization managers agreeing to the transaction.

Section 501(c)(3) organizations are restricted in how much political and legislative (lobbying) activities they may conduct.

For a detailed discussion, see Political and Lobbying Activities.

For more information about lobbying activities by charities, see the article Lobbying Issues; for more information about political activities of charities, see the FY-2002 CPE topic Election Year Issues."

http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0,,id=96099,00.html

Should churches, synagogues & mosques etc. be taxed?
 
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Currently most religious organizations escape taxation by applying for tax exemptions.


"To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual.

In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.

Organizations described in section 501(c)(3) are commonly referred to as charitable organizations. Organizations described in section 501(c)(3), other than testing for public safety organizations, are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions in accordance with Code section 170.

The organization must not be organized or operated for the benefit of private interests, and no part of a section 501(c)(3) organization's net earnings may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.

If the organization engages in an excess benefit transaction with a person having substantial influence over the organization, an excise tax may be imposed on the person and any organization managers agreeing to the transaction.

Section 501(c)(3) organizations are restricted in how much political and legislative (lobbying) activities they may conduct.

For a detailed discussion, see Political and Lobbying Activities.

For more information about lobbying activities by charities, see the article Lobbying Issues; for more information about political activities of charities, see the FY-2002 CPE topic Election Year Issues."

http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0,,id=96099,00.html

Should churches, synagogues & mosques etc. be taxed?

In a word?

Absolutely.
 
Should individuals be able to deduct donations to these types of organizations, in your view?

We've made it so a donation to the Red Cross or Jerry's Kids is deductible, so yes, I think that should be the way to go...up to some predetermined limit.
 
We've made it so a donation to the Red Cross or Jerry's Kids is deductible, so yes, I think that should be the way to go...up to some predetermined limit.

"You may deduct charitable contributions of money or property made to qualified organizations if you itemize your deductions. Generally, you may deduct up to 50% of your adjusted gross income, but 20% and 30% limitations apply in some cases."

http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0,,id=134331,00.html

Is it possible that if this deduction was phased out or eliminated the budget could be more effectively balanced and a surplus reached?

After all, aren't charitable deductions from the heart, rather than a legal way to shelter income?
 
Frank Zappa knew what a bunch of greedy, hypocritical scumbags run these big churches...he wrote a song just for them:

Heavenly Bank Account

That's right, remember there is a big
Difference between kneeling down
And bending over...

He's got twenty million dollars
In his heavenly bank account...
All from those chumps who was
Born again
Oh yeah, oh yeah

He's got seven limousines
And a private plane...
All for the use of his
Special friends
Oh yeah, oh yeah
He's got thousand-dollar suits
And a wembley tie...
Girls love to stroke it
While he's on the phone
Oh yeah, oh yeah

At the house of representatives
He's a groovy guy...
When he gives thanks
He is not alone...

He is dealin'
He is really dealin'
IRS can't determine
Where the hook is

It is easy with the bible
To pretend that
You're in show biz

They won't get him
They will never get him
For the naughty stuff
That he did

It is best in cases like this
To pretend that
You are stupid

He's got presidential help
All along the way

He says the grace
While the lawyers chew
Oh yeah
They sure do

And the governors agree to say:
he's a lovely man!;
He makes it easier for
Them to screw
All of you...
Yes, that's true!

'cause he helps put the fear of god
In the common man
Snatchin' up money
Everywhere he can
Oh yeah
Oh yeah

He's got twenty million dollars
In his heavenly bank account
You ain't got nothin', people
You ain't got nothin', people
You ain't got nothin', people
Thank the man...oh yeah
 
Keep in mind that other types of organizations enjoy some level of tax exemption under the current IRS code.

501(c)(3) exemptions apply to corporations, and any community chest, fund, cooperating association or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, or educational purposes, to foster national or international amateur sports competition, to promote the arts, or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals.

501(c)(4) organizations are generally civic leagues and other corporations operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare, or local associations of employees with membership limited to a designated company or people in a particular municipality or neighborhood, and with net earnings devoted exclusively to charitable, educational, or recreational purposes.

I have no antipathy to religion, but our nation is in a huge financial crisis. You'd think they'd be glad to help.

Cutting government spending may help, but increasing revenues would accelerate our recovery.
 
I think it would be easy to tax religious properties, and have an exemption for those portions of the property that are directly used for charitable purposes.

This would allow soup kitchens and places like the Salvation Army to avoid taxation, while taxing gilded sanctuaries and gyms at the mega churches.
 
I think it would be easy to tax religious properties, and have an exemption for those portions of the property that are directly used for charitable purposes.

This would allow soup kitchens and places like the Salvation Army to avoid taxation, while taxing gilded sanctuaries and gyms at the mega churches.

Do you think the incoming budget-cutters will consider these options?
 
Do you think the incoming budget-cutters will consider these options?

No I don't. Taxation of religious organizations is political suicide.

And we, long ago, stopped electing officials with balls.
 
that does not promote it, the government doesn't have an inalienable right to tax every thing in existence, the government believes it does, but not taxing something is not the same as promoting it
The government doesn't have rights, it has a list of powers that are curtailed by our rights. One of those rights specifically states that no law, including tax law, can promote or establish religion. Because most are believers and they want their church to get the breaks they feel good about such a promotion, but that doesn't make it right.
 
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