“Constitutional rights can’t be taxed.” Oh? (school, Michigan, states)

[Retroit]

Heard this on another thread. News to me.

Churches? Exempt from some taxes, but still pay sales taxes, don’t they?

Press? Not exempt from any taxes that I am aware of.

Public assemblies? Most cities require a permit and fee.

Petitions? Many require a fee.

Civil lawsuits? Require court fees.

Excessive bail and fines? Non-excessive bails and fines are taxes.

Powers reserved to the states? States tax.

[Luciano700]

Would school unions fit the category?

[MPowering1]

In IL, churches and religious schools do not pay sales tax. They have a tax exemption form they must fill out each year that they present when shopping so no tax is charged.

This is state specific.

[Retroit]

Originally Posted by MPowering1

In IL, churches and religious schools do not pay sales tax. They have a tax exemption form they must fill out each year that they present when shopping so no tax is charged.

This is state specific.

Thanks for the info. Here’s Michigan’s law:

Churches – Sales to organized churches or houses of religious worship are exempt from sales tax. These exempt sales must not involve property used in commercial enterprises. Vans or buses may be purchased exempt if the manufacturer's rated seating capacity is 10 or more and it is used primarily for transportation of persons for religious purposes. Churches may not purchase any other type of vehicle exempt. Anyone who is directly engaged in the business of constructing, altering, repairing, or improving real estate for a church or a house of religious worship is liable for the sales tax on the inventory value of the materials affixed to the property, even if the church purchases the materials. https://www.michigan.gov/taxes/0,467...5524--,00.html

So religious groups are definitely subject to some taxes.

[evilnewbie]

Originally Posted by Retroit

Thanks for the info. Here’s Michigan’s law:

So religious groups are definitely subject to some taxes.

But there are no taxes specifically relating to constitutional rights... These are general broad taxes that most pay without being attributed to a specific right...

[Retroit]

Originally Posted by evilnewbie

But there are no taxes specifically relating to constitutional rights... These are general broad taxes that most pay without being attributed to a specific right...

Okay, if an establishment of religion decides to build a church, they have to pay the builder a sales tax. Kind of hard to establish a religion without building a church.

[Rakin]

Chit hole states like CA and NY will soon want to tax the air you breath and the sun that shines.

Here comes the tax man. The Beatles should write a song.

[rstevens62]

Originally Posted by Retroit

Okay, if an establishment of religion decides to build a church, they have to pay the builder a sales tax. Kind of hard to establish a religion without building a church.

NO they dont! Ive seen this first hand.

[CrowGirl]

Originally Posted by Retroit

Kind of hard to establish a religion without building a church.

Ideally I'd say it was the other way around....the religion first, then the church.

The distinction of what is taxable and what isn't has more to do with tax policy than Constitutional rights. Churches don't have to pay income tax because they are one of the categories of non-profits that are exempt under IRS rules, like non-profit hospitals and food banks. It doesn't have to do with the Constitutional freedom of religion.

[Eumaois]

It can be quite taxing keeping track of what can be taxed.