Churches do have to prove their status! Their beliefs, doctrines, and practices are examined to see if they do not violate any laws and that its followers adhere to those beliefs, doctrines, and practices. There is such a wide variance in these from church to church that the IRS must evalute each on their own merit. They must also prove that no one individual or group of individuals profit from the money received. All staff are required to report salaries received from the church and pay applicable taxes on those salaries. Ministers have dual tax status and time does not allow me to explain fully. Ministers are EMPLOYED with regard to income tax but SELF-EMPLOYED with regard to social security. Ministers pay their fair share of taxes.

Furthermore, churches MUST report and pay all applicable payroll taxes regarding employees. Any property owned by a church that is rented to another organization or individual is subject to property tax but property used for the purpose of worship or religious practice is tax exempt.

There are plenty of organizations out there that have abused the system but a legitimate church SHOULD have the benefit of tax exemption. Knowing personally how much our church spends on others in need it would be destructive to our efforts to clothe, feed, and support people such as the widows, the fatherless, and the destitute if we had to pay income tax.

I have a responsibility as a pastor to see that monies are accounted for and disbursed according to our beliefs, doctrines, and practices. I am accountable to the church and should the IRS call, them as well. If people really knew anything about what it takes to operate a truly non-profit organization they would see things differently.

Personally IMHO, it amuses me how people want to tax the church but not non-profit nursing homes, non-profit childcare programs, etc. It is a spiritual issue. It is birthed out of either ignorance or outright hatred for God. It is an anti-God mindset that unfortunately is becoming more prevelant in this society.

Kip, you sound like you're just mad at churches. Do you have any idea if your local churches do anything for your community?

Respectfully, you have no clue.

Ministers are required to pay SS tax on the fair market rental value of that "tax free" parsonage. Trust me, the gov't is getting it's money.

I don't want to tax any non-profits, but you must admit that there are churches that really appear to be for-profit entities.

I have no hatred for god. I simply realized that I could no longer force myself to believe. If by "anti-god mindset" you mean that I don't believe, then I would fit that. But I think that you mean something else.

I must note that you are saying that the money that the church pays out is well monitored, in that the pastor and other employees must pay taxes. But you are silent on the income of the equation. How can you tell if a church is running at a profit, and is thus not a non-profit, as are the aforementioned nursing homes and childcare programs?

Agreed!

Btw, it is NOT a requirement of the IRS that a church's finances be audited by a third party. IT's A GREAT THING TO DO THOUGH!

I mean this with all respect. How do the aforementioned nursing homes and childcare programs prove that they are non-profit organizations? Answer that and you have answered your own question. Anyone out of ignorance of an organization's innerworkings, receipts, and disbursements could cry "foul" and call them for-profit entities. How can the nursing homes and childcare programs justify they are non-profit?

I don't think that this answers the question. Non-religious non-profits are held to a higher standard, and they must actually justify their status.

You were talking about the taxes paid by church employees and for non-religious activities, but nothing about accountability for religious activities. Is there any?

For a particularly egregious example, look at the Joyce Meyers ministries and all of the tax-free land that they own, for the pleasure of the ministers (Meyers and family).

I read what you're saying, but I don't see any basis for it. Do you have some examples of religous non-profits getting a "free pass" from the IRS?

Right about now, I wish I did. I'm going from memory, and probably biased sources.

I can't promise that I'll research it, but anything is possible.

While I do not know the innerworkings of her ministry I have already conceded that there are organizations out there that abuse the system. Separation of Church and State keeps the gov't from saying what is and is not ministry. I said there is a wide variance in interpreting "practices". I would love to see those who place legitimate ministries in jeopardy of being unfairly taxed called on the carpet for their "questionable" practices regarding their money. The IRS has yet to come up with an accountability method that can address the differences between churches and not cross the separation line.

My church follows the same policies.
The pastor NEVER speaks of politics from behind the pulpit. The most he will do is to urge people to vote. No mention of anything partisan.
I think this is fairly typical of many churches.
What I fail to understand is how (many) black churches regularly have partisan political appeals and partisan events, and even have (democrat) politicians address the congregation. These churches almost universally support liberal, democrat politicians.
If I knew of any churches similarly engaged in activities that supported republicans, or even conservatives, I would be equally disturbed. However, In my experience, I have not seem this.

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Freedom of religion is not the same as freedom FROM religion. There is no prohibition preventing religious people from voting, expressing opinions, or even holding office.

If fairness is your forte', how do you feel about the City of NY sanctioning Muslim holidays when it refuses to do the same for Christian ones?

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

They even have enough money to pay to cover up the dirty deeds of their ministers.

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Why? I don't see why it should be that way.

Perhaps it is that the church seems to be the largest benefactor, whether true or perceived. I for one, have never said that. All should be taxed

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Just take a gander this slick tripe designed to appeal to the mental adolescent.

http://www.catholicvote.com/

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