05-12-2011, 12:10 AM
Spock wrote:
[quote=Grace62]
The reason that churches aren't taxed is based on the constitutionally protected freedom of religion. The founders believed that churches could not survive if they were taxed, and the gov't intentionally causing them not to survive would in effect be depriving citizens of their freedom to practice religion.
I will state for a fact that my little church would not survive if we had to pay property taxes, which on our property would be around $25K a year. Our entire operating budget is only $80K/year. We are open to anyone and do a lot of good in our community. I think we deserve not to be taxed. Even if you think a particular church is not doing good, if they are practicing a constitutionally protected religion, they should be allowed to do so.
Pastors and other church staffers do pay tax on their incomes.
Churches are prohibited from using the church to do politics, and that's where some have run afoul of the IRS. (Interesting free speech argument you could have there, but there's a natural conflict between taxation of political activities and churches doing politics. Big, complicated subject. I could argue both sides.) Individuals who amass personal wealth from church donations should also be scrutinized very closely because they are clearly abusing the law.
I thought the church was its congregation not real estate. If you can't afford the building, sell it. It won't stop you practicing your religion.
We use our building to do a great deal of social work that benefits our community. The town could not purchase these services for the amount of taxes they would collect if a for-profit owned our property. I get that you might prefer that churches not exist, but our existence is in fact constitutionally protected.