Posted on 03/22/2005 8:23:42 AM PST by Brian Mosely
The IRS should investigate any church breaking the law. The ideal thing would be for absolutely no legal benefits (tax breaks, etc.) for any nonprofit, including churches. That way, the government has no inherent interest in what they do.
By being non-profit, why would they need to pay taxes? The only thing that means is that they don't have to file. They do get a break from local government on property taxes, which probably should be taxed based on the actual value.
I believe nonprofits do have to file. At least if their income is over $25,000 during their fiscal year.
Maybe non-profits, but not "Non-Profit Religious Organizations" known as churches. Churches are given great leeway by the IRS, but they are misled about the 501(c)(3) requirements, which are not there.
BTTT!!!!!!
Well, you've heard from all of the legalistic minds here on FR. "The law is the law," they say.
I say BS.
HB25 / S25, The FairTax,(fairtax.org) solves this problem by eliminating taxation on income. There should be no rules, no laws, no hoops to speak your mind in America regardless of what your opinion is. 'Free speech' as intended by the Founders, was POLITICAL SPEECH, not nude dancing or product advertising.
That freedom was diminished by the tax code first, and then stomped on again by Campaign Finance Reform. The churches (as well as the pubs and taverns) in the colonies were important meeting places for those fighting the crown.
Hmmmm Maybe that's why the government wants these restrictions.
Brilliant observation.
Sounds like the churches should registers as 527s, huh?
Just another reason that the IRS and the tax code must go.
Support the FairTax (fairtax.org) HR25 / S25.
They don't pay property taxes.
The 2nd Baptist Church in Houston, a very large church, was investigated several years ago because somebody put some voter guides in their family center. They didn't invite a politician to "preach."
The Black Churches get away with this every election and you both know it.
Bingo.
First off, tax-exemptions are not 'paid from the US Government coffers', unless you believe it was the governments money to begin with. Second, I am not sure about your history. Churches have always operated as tax-free organizations, even before any artificial status was created. It's only through these created tax-free statuses that the government is able to regulate Churches. Churches are tax-free by the First Amendment and don't need any special 501(c)(3) status. The problem is, they think they do. Where non-501(c)(3) churches have gotten into trouble is social security withholdings. Churches still have to follow the fuzzy rules of employees vs. subcontractors, and withhold payroll taxes if they are deemed employees.
True but that is state determined.
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