Forum Post: Churches not paying taxes
Posted 12 years ago on Oct. 14, 2011, 5:45 p.m. EST by beefybear
(27)
from Eagleswood, NJ
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
Should we lump churches into the 1%. They own billions of dollars in property and do not pay property taxes. They use their fortunes to influence politicians. County and local governments would not be forced to lay off as many workers if they could collect property taxes from churches.
There. Tax the 501(c) churches that won't stop doing political campaign work. This is compatible with church/state separation where a tax on churches generally is not. I have no problem with people getting solace where they will; I have every problem with politicians using them as a tax bunker.
Separation of church and state maybe?Dunno just thought that might be why.
Like in France , calling that "laïcité" :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La%C3%AFcit%C3%A9
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1905_French_law_on_the_Separation_of_the_Churches_and_the_State
Hey good to know! I only said what I did in though of people like Joel Osteen gaining lobbing power but in all honesty I'm sure he already does since he's got all that cash from smilin'. LOL
Thank to comment, unfortunatly the law isn't always repected 'cause in french people usually "stretching" the law... but it's another problem.
Switzerland system ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_tax
Yes, churches and non-profits as well. They shouldn't be charged more, but pay an equal percentage that any citizen would pay.....
It would be unconstitutional to tax churches.
please elaborate
Gladly:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
how does taxing property fall under that category? Im not a law guy, i dont understand these things. Congress deems what is and is not a church, how this any different.
You raise a really interesting point: how does Congress decide what is and isn't a church? Why aren't these Mega Churches (which I think are bastardizations of religion) taxed?
A tax on a church could be seen as a prohibition on the FREE exercise of religion.
Yes churches must pay taxes! Bishop Eddie long didn't pay taxes at his Mega church, and instead used profits to buy young men cars so they would have sex with him, all the while leading rallies against gay rights! Churches must pay their fair share, I'm sure Jesus would in times like these!
And I'm not defending Bidshop Eddie or whoever he is. He sounds like a total creep and hypocrite. I'm just saying, employees of churches pay payroll taxes.
I don't think you understand the difference between payroll tax and corporate tax.
What about synagogues? One mention of the holohoax and they get off free
I really meant religious buildings. Your right its not just churches.