Posted on 07/18/2006 2:58:24 PM PDT by aceintx
Edited on 07/18/2006 3:04:41 PM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Internal Revenue Service has been warning churches and nonprofit organizations that improper campaigning in the upcoming political season could endanger their tax-exempt status.
In notices to more than 15,000 tax-exempt organizations, numerous church denominations and tax preparers, the agency has detailed its new enforcement program, called the Political Activity Compliance Initiative, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.
Under the initiative, the IRS plans to expedite investigations into claims of improper campaigning, no longer waiting for an annual tax return to be filed or the tax year to end before launching a probe. A three-member committee will make an initial review of complaints and then vote on whether to pursue the investigation in detail.
"While the vast majority of charities and churches do not engage in politicking, an increasing number did take part in prohibited activities in the 2004 election cycle," IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson said in a statement. "The rule against political campaign intervention by charities and churches is long established. We are stepping up our efforts to enforce it
Since 2004, the IRS has investigated more than 200 organizations, including All Saints Church in Pasadena.
Two days before the 2004 presidential election, the Rev. George F. Regas, the church's former rector, delivered a guest sermon that pictured Jesus in a debate with George W. Bush and John Kerry. Although Regas didn't endorse a candidate, he said Jesus would have told Bush that his pre-emptive war policy "has led to disaster."
The church drew national attention when the Rev. Ed Bacon, rector of All Saints, disclosed the IRS investigation and later said the agency believed the church had violated federal tax code barring tax-exempt organizations from intervening in political campaigns and elections.
Church leaders have not heard from the IRS since October, when the agency said the investigation was being taken to a higher level, according to Regas. The IRS has not confirmed whether the investigation is still ongoing.
Of the 62 organizations determined by the IRS to be in violation, three lost their nonprofit status and 59 received warning letters. The three who lost their status were not churches, and some of those warned were ordered to pay an excise tax.
Federal law prohibits the IRS from releasing the names of those under investigation, but the agency said it has more than 100 cases pending and 40 of them are churches.
This month, OMB Watch, a Washington-based nonprofit government watchdog group, issued a report criticizing the IRS enforcement program and said the program could prompt retaliatory and harassment complaints unless the agency develops clear guidelines.
"I don't think this is a case of bad faith," said Kay Guinane, author of the report. "I just think it's a poorly structured program."
Irrespective of his having been a government employee off and on for a number of years under various Presidents, he's also worked for 10 years as an executive with the Pechiney Group, ONE OF FRANCE’s largest industrial groups which is where he lost his identity as an American with due sensitivity to the needs and feelings of the religious majority in this country.
Where'd Bush dig this one up? Is he another one of those semi-closeted types like that ne'er do well who screwed up FEMA during the Katrina crisis?
The only way this will work out well is if this character manages to anger a very large number of people. Then, we might get the support necessary to get the rule(s) rescinded. As it is, I'm not going to let a note by a petty bureaucrat having a hissy fit bother me in the least. Insofar as I can find the time to violate this order I will do so.
Sic Semper Tyronnis.
"The difference now seems to be that for a change it's going to be enforced. This will cripple black churches if it's enforced evenly."
I don't think it has ever been enforced evenly. As I understand it, LBJ was sick of being called liberal, so the law was written, but enforcement was selective from the start.
They can say whatever they want. There is no reason for my tax dollars to go to support political speech (such as encouraging, aiding and abetting Illegal Invasions). You want the exemption, follow the rules. If you want to say whatever you want in violation of those rules, give up the exemption.
The biggest issue is that this isn't being evenly applied. ALL tax-exempt churches should be barred from entering the political fray.
-PJ
Please show me where in the Constitution it says we have to give churches tax exemptions. Please show me where the "anti-American Democrats" passed the legislation at issue.
Ping!
No, it's not wrong. If churches want to give up their tax advantages, they can do exactly what they want, politically. But I, as a taxpayer, do not want to subsidize any political activities that I don;t directly support.
This is not WRONG. Churches should not be involved in endorsing candidates. They are tax free because they are not a political organization. If they want to pay taxes, their FREE SPEECH can be exorcised. Every "Religious" non-profit entity knows the rules when they get their IRS status.
The rank and file of federal bureaucracy are natural constituents of the Democrats. They are the party of the New Deal, and the vast majority of the beltway bureaucrats owe their livlihood to the massive expansion of government they have wrought. They'll take care of their own.
It won't be. Democrats openly campaign in black churches all the time.
Is preaching that abortion and homosexuality are sins being political? That's the danger.
It won't be. Democrats openly campaign in black churches all the time.
Is preaching that abortion and homosexuality are sins being political? That's the danger.
"I would agree only if Federal Funding to ANY school where teachers OR professors encourage DEMOCRAT/LIBERAL/SOCIALIST views and votes also LOSE THEIR FEDERAL FUNDING"
I know the "educator" who is in charge of the gifted program in our school district. Her greatest passion is teaching students to "think critically" about religion. She insists to me that there really is a "first amendment separation of church and state." Of course, one must "believe in evolution." It would be wrong to "think critically" about evolution. Basically, she is an evangelical atheist on the school payroll.
No. Churches have always been allowed to speak out on issues related to their Faith and ministry, i.e. moral issues like homosexuality and abortion. They may not endorse candidates, but they can sure talk alot about the issues being debated.
"Please show me where in the Constitution it says we have to give churches tax exemptions. Please show me where the "anti-American Democrats" passed the legislation at issue."
See Comment 20:
See Below:
"Approximately half a century ago, then-Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson (D-T.X.) successfully attached a restriction on the partisan activity of non-profit groups to that year's tax bill. After the change, churches were prohibited from engaging in partisan activities such as endorsing candidates. Violators can lose their tax exempt status.
Many Texas-based non-profits opposed Johnson's reelection bid for the U.S. Senate, and he had no intention of allowing them to interfere for a second time. Using his position as majority leader, Johnson was able to effectively legislate his opposition out of existence."
Please read:
Amendment I of our Constitution
There is nothing in the first Amendment that says we have to tax subsidize churches.
Any church can operate without any interference from the government. But if you want money from the government you need to follow the rules.
You really, really, really don't want to start a thread hijack here.
I will be kind for the moment.
This IRS intimidation campaign applies of course ONLY to support for Republicans.
Preaching that people should flat-out disobey our nation's Immigration Laws IS political.
Endorsing a political candidate IS political.
Churches should look after people's souls and leave the politics alone.
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