Evicted congregation getting offers of help - Tax dispute goes to court Tuesday

Springfield (IL) Journal Register ^ | August 31, 2007 | CHRIS WETTERICH

[PAR35]

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Clementine was evicted from its church and rectory when a tax buyer, John W. Scott of Champaign, took possession after paying back property taxes and penalties totaling $8,710. The church disputes the eviction because it is a tax-exempt religious organization.

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Ownership of the property at 1016 Percy Ave. and 2075 N. 11th St. was transferred from the national Presbyterian Church to the local congregation in October 2003, according to the church’s pastor, Dennis Farmer.

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But it wasn’t until after the tax sale was approved in July that the church was able to get the taxes owed from 2004, 2005 and part of 2003 wiped out.

Regarding the first 10 months of 2003, the county “couldn’t make it tax exempt because it was the prior property owner’s responsibility,” Gab said. “The title transfer indicated they (the local church) were responsible for paying 2003 tax.”

“That is where our problem is,” Farmer agreed.

[PAR35]

Apparently the congregation acquired the property from the PCUSA, with the local congregation assuming the obligation to pay the taxes for the 2003 tax year. They didn't pay the taxes, and the property went to tax sale. (They also apparently weren't diligent about the tax status for the first couple of years after the purchase, and only started working on the issue after the tax sale.

Now they have to try to get the tax sale set aside by claiming it was the fault of the public officials.

[GeronL]

I am starting a church to buy up GM, Exxon and Caterpillar, making them all tax-exempt.

nope... don't work that way