Churches tax free?

I agree.

However...

moot point in your own thread,

but I digress

 

this thread = my head asplode

If you knew how much of your taxes actually went to the government, you wouldn't care how much the churches paid.

 

so hilariously true. . . while somebody trying to get rilled up might argue that they don't contribute much, it's not like they're taking any either. . . and my other statement on the already taxed income dollars of the members still stands.

 

They take as much as I do. I pay taxes on everything. Don't tax the rake, tax the land tho.

 

I've always wondered... if a church is 501c3 and the staff is employed by the church, does the staff still pay income tax?

 

yes.

 

I'm in favor of a consumption tax for all...this includes individuals, churches, corporations...

I am not a fan of income and asset taxes.

A consumption tax would make the system much more equitable and fair for all. It also would cost much less to administer, saving the government (the tax payers) millions, probably billions.

Of course, this may never happen because it takes power away from government. It also makes it more difficult for politicians to buy votes.

 

Yes. I'm the treasurer at my church. We also handle SS and medicare payments just like any other business. The pastors are different. They pay taxes like they're self-employed (by law).
http://www.freechurchaccounting.com/clergytax.html

 

My thoughts exactly

 

Nice contribution

 

This and the fact that the American people don't want a consumption tax (remember that Revolution old what's his name was going to start...the one who didn't convince the people of a single state that this was a good idea?).

This sounds like the simple solution until you look at the facts. Then you realize that a consumption tax would amount to a tax Increase for nearly all Americans.

You have to get government spending under control first, and then you can look at what is needed in taxes. I agree that the rich should pay more, but the poor should also pay their 'Fair Share'.

 

this

 

good post

although I'm not along with the "rich should pay more" crowd.

a federal consumption tax is basicially a fed sales tax. I'd love it over being taxed on my income...my property...capital gains...etc...

it also would dramatically cut costs for businesses...and, in theory, allowing them to hire more and/or reduce their end product costs to the consumer...thereby offsetting much of the "consumption" tax.

btw...a consumption tax does raise taxes on the rich. bought a million dollar yacht lately? how about a jet? imagine the federal dollars collected under a consumption tax law on the sale of one of those puppies.

 

My opinion is a flat tax on everything that you buy. Perhaps exempt some things ( food and grocery items for example ). If you buy more expensive stuff,you pay more tax. And the rate is the same percentage regardless of any other aspect. Joe Blow buys a new mercedes that he can just afford...same tax rate as if Donald Trump buys the same car. But the more money you spend the more tax you pay.

As far as the news article,I think it's a start,but there is still a LONG way to go to address this issue. The Catholic Church has been allowed to cover up this type of behavior for far too long.

 

Shit like this is why I call foul on churches not paying taxes. Old Mitt gives quite a chunck before taxes to the Mormons and then the church spends it on "for profit" ventures, not charity work.

"The church has plowed resources into a multi-billion-dollar global network of for-profit enterprises: it is the largest rancher in the United States, a church official told Nebraska's Lincoln Journal Star in 2004, with other ranches and farms in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Australia and Great Britain, according to financial documents reviewed by Reuters."

Want a tax break, start helping people in need, instead of growing the empire. Scientology is in the same racket (All faith's really)

 

while your post may be correct...

not fair to include all faiths and all churches.

I can give examples (and believe I already have in this thread)

I'll update this post:

we actually raised funds for over 1200 kids.

 

How is paying taxes on real estate or whatever going to address absolutely anything in the article you linked to?

Okay, both of you should probably rethink this a bit. While the church itself is exempt from taxes (money raised & spent for church-related activities), every single one of the members, including the leadership, pay taxes just as you do. In other words, going to church on Sunday, or preaching on Sunday, doesn't exclude anyone from taxes. Of course, since they pay taxes, they have every bit as much right as you to use public roads, public transportation, public schools, public parks, and so on.

Further, the church is not a law enforcement agency. It's concerned with the spiritual & moral realms, not the criminal realm. Should you be punished because you know of a crime and don't report it? If not, why are you holding churches to another standard? Forgiveness and rehabilitation is another key aspect of the church. That doesn't always work with every individual, but why blame the church (instead of the individual) for that?

 

The claim about religion above is an outright lie. Prove it in some substantial way.

 

pic is bogus...numbers probably are too.

one thing for sure, the guy in the religion pic...don't know who he is. but if he is supposed to represent Jesus...it is way wrong. fact is Jesus probably looked a lot more like Bin Laden than some singer in a 1960's rock band.

 

The Catholic Church has roughly 1.147 billion members, 408,024 priests, worldwide. Why would you view all those negatively based on the actions of the one man in that article?