Now’s the Time To End Tax Exemptions for Religious Institutions

http://time.com/3939143/nows-the-time-to-end-tax-exemptions-for-religious-institutions/

I don't think government should be determining what a valid religion is, and churches should only get exemptions for the charity they do.

Thoughts?

 

Most churches do not bring in a lot of money.........they kind of need the exemption to survive.

 

Sounds socialist to me.

 

It would be socialist if the government gave them money but they don't.

They have to beg for it.

I have no problem with them being exempt.

 

I have been in two legally recognized "churches" whose sole purpose was for a libertarian to avoid taxes. It's a scam. Legal. But a scam.

 

Government taxes what it wants less of (smoking) and subsidize what it wants more of (welfare). Taxation would be direct interference in religion.

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...give-religions-more-than-82-5-billion-a-year/

Mmmhmm. Whats the difference? The American taxpayer is supporting the churches through tax exemptions.

 

If the church continues to be charitable as it is, then it should be exempted from taxes, same as other philanthropist businessmen..

 

I think the charities should be exempt. But the prime real-estate many churches sit on? Not so much.

 

Taxation is punishment. Subsidies are support. Taxpayers are not supporting churches unless they contribute directly to the church.

 

Subsidies are support. Exactly. Its support by the government who is funded by the taxpayers.

 

If the purpose of the establishments is to raise funds for humanitarian purposes then it should be exempted as well.

 

Well then you should not be so confused about taxation and subsidies since they are separate things. In your world, let's tax churches by how much you think they are subsidized, which in turn would cancel each other out. So we are now back where we started. What you want is to tax them more.

 

Ok I want to run a charity out of a 10,000 square foot mansion in downtown Manhattan.

Exempt me?

 

So exemption and subsidies are the same? Even when NO money at all is being collected?

 

Okay No problem, as long as the word "charity" is there and is being religiously undertaken. In charity it is the action the bares great substance not the staging point.

 

Ok now times that by...I dunno how many Catholic churches that are prime real-estate? Lets say 250 churches and seminaries that are worth more than 1 million dollars.

 

Some would see it as high valued properties, but for some they are called place for refuge and a place to practice their faith, and the support they bestow would never mean business for them but to address the needs of the needy and to assist the organization as well.

 

That is the mistake you make in the OP.

 

I disagree still.

I dont think changing tax exemption would have that much interference on a large institution like the catholic church. First I dont consider preaching the gospel charity. Maybe I am wrong? I dont know. Second the actual charity work should be exempt. If you do enough good works your taxes are extremely low anyway. Last, I wouldnt mind making it a tiered system so smaller and independent churches can survive.

 

This may be true.

For me it would be pointless to start a discussion on something I've read up on. Of course I could just search for it myself, but I enjoy the forum format as well.

Care to elaborate on my mistake?

 

Actually it should be a non profit religious organization whose sole purpose is for their belief of the after life and the well being of those who are still living, if taxes are imposed then it will disrupt other non profit charitable institution as well.

Nonprofit corporations are exempt from income taxes if they conduct business solely for the benefit of the general public. State laws on corporations vary from state to state, but generally states give tax breaks and exemptions to nonprofit corporations that are structured and operated exclusively for either a religious, charitable, scientific, public safety, literary, or educational purpose. Nonprofit organizations may charge money for their services, and donations to tax-exempt nonprofit organizations are tax deductible. The Internal Revenue Service must approve the tax-exempt status of all nonprofit organizations except churches.
https://www.hg.org/nonprofit-organizations.html

But the church is always willing to make amendments if it is needed,
like what happen in the Vatican bank where some unscrupulous individuals wishes to hide behind the exemption.

The Vatican bank has been shrouded in mystery for decades, but a tax treaty agreed on Wednesday between the Holy See and Italy is a sign of changing times at an institution that is trying to shed its image as a haven for money laundering and tax avoidance.

The deal, which will require both sides to share financial and tax information, is part of a broader drive by Pope Francis to clean up the Vatican bank, or the Institute for Works of Religion (IOR) as it is formally known.

For years, the bank has been seen as a vehicle to help rich Italians evade taxes and other illicit activities that were far removed from its core mission – to provide banking services for the Catholic church and help its charity reach all corners of the world.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/01/vatican-bank-agrees-tax-treaty-italy

If the Church are into profit then I'm sure that they would tolerate the illicit transactions mentioned above.

 

Ok I will go along with that if you include all current tax-exempts. Including all political tax exempts, environmental exempts. All of them.

 

A few years ago, New York State tried to force the Catholic Church to do something against their teachings. The Church said no and before going against Church doctrine, they will close all their institutions. Well that was the end of that. It was never brought up again. If the Catholic Church closed down all their hospitals and charities, it would have been impossible for the state to cover the costs.

Also years ago a study was made that found religious institutions can better rehabilitate people, and at a much lower cost than state institutions. This stands to reason since Church workers will either donate their time, or work at a much lower wage than other workers. Nothing came of it though, because who would be getting what...

 

Like if you have your own bank I think you are doing a little more than just what is good for the general public; am I right?