Should churches still have tax exempt status? (Jesus, government, state)

[pknopp]

Originally Posted by crone

What about 500,000$ church owned parsonages?

A church bought a house down the street for the preacher's son. I guess he worked at the church. The church refused to pay the HOA fee. The fee paid for trash pick up, street lights and the yard man. IMO, that's pretty tacky. The HOA finally stopped picking up his trash. He took it to the church.

That he is a jerk has nothing to do with taxes.

[louie0406]

If church's are non for profit, where does the money come from to pay for the extravagant houses and cars that some of these pastors have?

[Roaddog]

I think it depends on how they spend the money they earn, if it goes to helping people then no but if it goes to profit themselves then yes. I don't agree with modern over the top big business churches and will not donate to such, I will give to the guy on the corner preaching the gospel.

[crone]

Originally Posted by pknopp

That he is a jerk has nothing to do with taxes.

The church considered the HOA fee a tax and refused to pay it.

The church also owned 2 planes and a helicopter for the minister's enjoyment.

[Serious Conversation]

Many, many religious institutions provide useful benefits to society that we don't recognize. Many hospitals and schools were founded and inspired by Catholic principles. There are also plenty of Protestant charities doing worthwhile work. Making these firms pay taxes diminishes the quality of work they could otherwise be doing.

[pknopp]

Originally Posted by crone

The church considered the HOA fee a tax and refused to pay it.

So what? That's a spat with the jerk and the hoa...nothing more.

The church also owned 2 planes and a helicopter for the minister's enjoyment.

Probably a bevy of concubines also.

[pknopp]

Originally Posted by salamanderking

It's the mindset of many religious people. To him, paying the HOA fee on his church owned house is a violation of his religious liberties.

Not even worth replying to.

[DJboutit]

Smaller neighborhood churches yes these mega churches like Lake Wood in Houston hell no they could afford to pay $200k to $350k a yr in taxes

[pknopp]

Originally Posted by DJboutit

Smaller neighborhood churches yes these mega churches like Lake Wood in Houston hell no they could afford to pay $200k to $350k a yr in taxes

"Afford" has nothing to do with it.

[DJboutit]

Originally Posted by pknopp

"Afford" has nothing to do with it.

When a church building and property is worth more 10mill to 15mil plus and the church makes 10mill plus they should pay taxes. Lake Wood in Houston building and property is worth min of 40mill to 50mill and they make like 30mill a yr. Just about every small business property and building is not worth that worth even close to that and they are not making millions a yr and they pay taxes maybe a little to much. A mega church should pay its fair share of taxes.