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Our economy could sure use the money and religion is a lucrative business.
I'd love to see a revenue (gross donations) threshold established where larger churches become taxable entities. The presumption is that these organizations are charitable. However, these mega churches are about lining the pockets of their leadership.
Taxing charities means less money is available to do the work that they do.
That would also be like taxing the donors twice, as they already paid tax on their income once. No, they aren't going to see that tax, or feel it, but the money they donate is reduced by the amount of the tax applied to it.
This is a lot like inheritance tax. The money has already been taxed once when it was earned. It rightfully belongs to the heirs without further taxation.
I have always wondered how many times the Federal Government taxes the same dollar?
You can't pay taxes where there are no profits. If you want to tax non profits, go ahead, try. Not that there is anything to tax. You want to tax all money as it comes in? You then would have to do this to everyone. How well do you think that would work?
The church owns property; that is 'profit'. Some churches have spent millions on acquiring properties; like the one in the Houston area that did not want to open it's doors.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pknopp
Yes there is. You can not have freedom of religion when you have someone holding a tax hammer over your head to bend to their will.
Of course you can have freedom of religion even when taxed. You are free to believe whatever you want unless you are on the Berkley campus! Besides; if you aren't making any money why would you worry about taxes?
Did anyone see the documentary on Scientology on HBO? That's one "church" we MUST start taxing.
Yes--that is the problem. It is too easy for someone to form a non-profit and declare themselves a church. Or simply to be a non-profit. Or to form a foundation and use it for things that really should be taxed. Like buying portraits and football jerseys for personal reasons.
Our economy could sure use the money and religion is a lucrative business.
I'd love to see a revenue (gross donations) threshold established where larger churches become taxable entities. The presumption is that these organizations are charitable. However, these mega churches are about lining the pockets of their leadership.
A churches tax status isn't because they are a church. It's because they are non profit organization, unless you intend on taxing all non profits you can just forget about your idea. You can't single out any organization for taxation based on ideology, religion or any other specific criteria.
Of course you can have freedom of religion even when taxed. You are free to believe whatever you want unless you are on the Berkley campus! Besides; if you aren't making any money why would you worry about taxes?
As far as income that is true but that isn't all you are calling for. Not that you can get a Constitutional Amendment to do any of it.
Yes--that is the problem. It is too easy for someone to form a non-profit and declare themselves a church. Or simply to be a non-profit. Or to form a foundation and use it for things that really should be taxed. Like buying portraits and football jerseys for personal reasons.
The Supreme Court has ruled on this already and no you can not do this. I'm on the way out the door but I an provide the ruling later if need be.
Why is a good thing for the govt to have an extra $71 billion?
Because those who are atheist or agnostic are in fact subsidizing religions.
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