Quote:
Originally Posted by memphisblues1986
Unless they want to start paying taxes. Pay taxes then you can have a say. Ok? Just had this argument with a client of my company. She wants a theocracy, and took offense when I laughed at her, and told her we tried that, that's why we called it the Dark Ages. Morphed into a tax argument, what a way to start the day.
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Obviously, a theocracy is ridiculous.
We already have 501(c)(3) rules which the IRS Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations explains the rules. Here are the highlights;
Lobbying
GENERAL RULE: Churches and nonprofit organizations may not engage in any substantial lobbying activities that attempt to influence legislation. This means that churches may engage in some activities that attempt to influence legislation.
“Legislation†includes action by Congress, any state legislature, any local council, or similar governing body with respect to acts, bills, resolutions, or similar items (such as legislative confirmation of appointive office), or by the public in referendum, ballot initiative, constitutional amendment, or similar procedure. The Christian Law Association recommends that the amount expended on the pursuit of such activities should not exceed 5 percent of the gross annual revenues. This recommendation is called the “5 percent rule†in the following list of recommendations.
A church may do the following:
Use its facilities to allow lobbying groups to discuss social issues (subject to the 5 percent rule).
Rent or lend the church mailing list to lobbying groups (subject to the 5 percent rule).
Participate in petition drives that support or oppose specific proposed legislation.
Encourage members to communicate with legislators regarding their support or opposition of specific proposed legislation.
Hire a lobbyist to communicate with legislators regarding its support or opposition of specific proposed legislation (subject to the 5 percent rule).
Distribute position papers that support or oppose specific proposed legislation (subject to the 5 percent rule).
In addition, a church may do the following without limitation or concerns regarding the 5 percent rule:
Preach sermons on social issues and political issues.
Support or oppose legislation that directly affects its organizational structure and operation without a 5 percent limitation.
Engage in education on the political process and provide information regarding political issues. Only when the church advocates against a specific proposed legislative action does the 5 percent limitation apply.
Political campaigns
GENERAL RULE: Unlike the prohibition against substantial attempts to influence legislation, the prohibition against participating in political campaigns is absolute. Section 501(c)(3) permits some lobbying activity, but a church or other tax-exempt organization may absolutely not campaign for or against political candidates.
Because the prohibition against participating in political campaigns is absolute, the IRS focuses much more attention on it. Violation of the prohibition against participating in political campaigns may result in the immediate revocation of the church’s tax-exempt status.
DON’Ts—Political activities churches and nonprofit organizations should not do:
Make statements in support or opposition of political candidates for public office. Note: A pastor personally may make statements in support or opposition of political candidates for public office, but not in his official capacity (which would bar him from making statements during church meetings and in church communications).
Make contributions to a candidate for public office or allow candidates to solicit contributions on the church premises or during church activities.
Make contributions to Political Action Committees.
Make “in-kind†contributions or expenditures for or against candidates for public office. Such contributions would include allowing a candidate to speak in a church service about his or her candidacy; allowing a candidate to pass out campaign literature at the church; allowing the candidate to collect names and addresses at the church, to use the church mailing list or directory, or to use church facilities; and providing volunteers from the church.
Support or oppose candidates for judicial office even if the candidates are required to run on a nonpartisan basis.
DOs—Political activities churches and nonprofit organizations may do:
Allow a candidate for public office to appear at a church meeting or service as long as it is not for campaign purposes.
Introduce a candidate to the congregation as a visitor during a church meeting or service.
Allow a candidate for public office to preach or read Scripture as long as the candidate does not “preach†about his campaign or solicit volunteers or finances for the campaign.
Conduct nonpartisan voter registration programs and get-out-to-vote campaigns.
Distribute neutral voter information materials stating the positions of the candidates for public office on the issues of the campaign.
Rent its mailing list to candidates for public office; however, the list must be made available to all candidates for that public office on the same terms and at the same prices.
Allow candidates to use the church facilities; however, all other candidates for that public office must be invited to use the facilities on the same terms.
If you want to file a complaint notify the IRS. Since 1990 Branch Ministries is the only church that has lost tax exempt status.
If you think additional legislation is needed contact your elected representatives.
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