Time to remove a church's tax exempt status!

Unless charitable events happen regularly they should pay tax if any one person makes more than enough to live on say 50,000 -60,000 through religion then they should be taxed

Then all tax exempt organizations that get involved in politics should lose that status. If you removed the tax exempt status from churches for getting involved in politics, but allowed other organizations to retain theirs, it would be discrimination. Also, how far would you take it? If a religious leader preached against abortion (for example), would that be enough? Or would they have to activily support pro-life candidates? If you say they just have to preach against abortion then churches that don't consider abortion a sin would get to keep theirs? What if the church has a pro-choice stance... would that cost them their tax exempt status? I don't know how you could do it without it becoming a weapon used by politicians to reward some churches and punish others.

You know I couldn't agree with you more. I'm really sick and tired of churches all being up in arms about everything that they hate, but still wanting to be tax free. What happened to separation of church and state? After all, they're sticking their noses in places it does not belong. Religion and state are supposed to be separate. However it they really want to cross that line and start trying to enact certain laws because of their religion, then they need to pay the price.

Below is a summary of protocol for a tax exempt organization to be involved in politics. As far as I can tell, so long as they are not helping the campaign for a political candidate, their behavior is acceptable. A tax-exempt organization is not barred outright from politics, but activity in the voting process is. "§ 501(c)(3) organization may not engage in carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities. Whether an organization has attempted to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities is determined based upon all relevant facts and circumstances. However, most § 501(c)(3) organizations may use Form 5768, Election/Revocation of Election by an Eligible Section 501(c)(3) Organization to Make Expenditures to Influence Legislation, to make an election under § 501(h) to be subject to an objectively measured expenditure test with respect to lobbying activities rather than the less precise "substantial activity" test. Electing organizations are subject to tax on lobbying activities that exceed a specified percentage of their exempt function expenditures. For further information regarding lobbying activities by charities, download Lobbying Issues. For purposes of § 501(c)(3), legislative activities and political activities are two different things, and are subject to two different sets of rules. The latter is an absolute bar. A § 501(c)(3) organization may not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office. Whether an organization is engaging in prohibited political campaign activity depends upon all the facts and circumstances in each case. For example, organizations may sponsor debates or forums to educate voters. But if the forum or debate shows a preference for or against a certain candidate, it becomes a prohibited activity. The motivation of an organization is not relevant in determining whether the political campaign prohibition has been violated. Activities that encourage people to vote for or against a particular candidate, even on the basis of non-partisan criteria, violate the political campaign prohibition of § 501(c)(3). See the FY-2002 CPE topic entitled Election Year Issues for further information regarding political activities of charities. "

Is that international?

I also agree. As I was sitting through church today being told how I should vote and how our country should be run, one thought went through my mind. "How in the world are we still tax exempt?" With religions officially endorsing candidates and sending out letters telling people how to vote, I agree, they should lose their tax exempt status. It is unnecessary, and immoral, to tell your congregation how to vote and hold their salvation on the line in return.

well i think they should start helping other people by paying their tax too. everyone's got to make a sacrifice.

That is a tricky issue. Some issues pertain to the church and so there fore should speak up! Also issues that affect their congregation. Or when they have to do with moral issues, like abortion, gay marriage etc.

I have to agree with you. I couldn't help but wonder why Rev. Wright's sermon was so political. I don't think I could stay at a church that tried so hard to influence my vote. I think that even some churches that are not active in the political arena that make more than a certain amount should have to pay at least 10% to our government. Some of these churches make thousands and thousands, why can't they tithe our government?

Hello speakeasy, I think the churches should stay out of politics and keep to what they are there for. I brought up as chatholic but Have broke away from all that.I have lost faith in all the churches, they interfer with politics which have nothing to do with them. Tamarafireheart.