Should religious organizations be exempt from tax in the US?

[Great Nepal]

If they give to charity, they can claim tax exemptions for charitable donations like you know... every other organisation

Almost all churches give to charities of some sort.

Read the underlined; if they do then they can fill out the form and claim exemptions like every other organisation.

[The Kingdom Historia]

i just reliezed what i just put but i meant that if they are producing buisness like figures yearly like the church of scientology then they should be taxed .

[The Time Alliance]

Do we tax charities?

Not public registered charities.

Then why tax churches that earn money via donation and then use some of that money towards church and non-church charities.

[Galloism]

Churches are nonprofits and many give to charity, do you want to tax charities too?

If they give to charity, they can claim tax exemptions for charitable donations like you know... every other organisation

Only up to 10% of their net taxable income, like every other organization?

[Eaglleia]

Not public registered charities.

Then why tax churches that earn money via donation and then use some of that money towards church and non-church charities.

Don't ask me, I said yes.

[Gaelic Celtia]

If they give to charity, they can claim tax exemptions for charitable donations like you know... every other organisation

Almost all churches give to charities of some sort.

Which means thwy can apply for tax exemptions, not be exempt from tax altogether.

[Great Nepal]

Not public registered charities.

Then why tax churches that earn money via donation and then use some of that money towards church and non-church charities.

If your claim is that all churches fulfill criteria to be considered public registered charities or otherwise get tax exemption them us removing their special privilege on taxation will do no harm; the church can just fill out a form and remain tax free.

[Occupied Deutschland]

Of course they should be. Not least because the taxation of religious belief is seven different kinds of fucked up, and not most because their present status allows for laws bidding them closed to direct interference in the political process, which is a good thing.

If churches are taxed, they lose any such restrictions and no one could or should complain about their usage of their newfound freedoms to participate in the political process by lending their support to the candidate(s) of their choice.

Tax exemption is a better plan, morally and pragmatically, for a secular society.

[Herargon]

They should pay a tax equaling the amount of followers they have.
But, they don't have to pay taxes for something as giving homeless shelter for a night, giving meals and helping.
That, is where a true religion stands for; getting people together and let them just live in peace, imho.

[The United Brony Armies]

Not public registered charities.

Then why tax churches that earn money via donation and then use some of that money towards church and non-church charities.

Because every other business that gives to charity is still taxed. If a church makes money in figures yearly it is technically a business. Therefore it should be taxed as one.

[Valica]

The goverment can't tax your faith organization because the church's money comes from the taxpayers

If I pay for a coffee at Starbucks, they are going to pay taxes using taxpayer money.
That's how money works, silly.

You aren't required to pay at church, so you aren't paying extra taxes.
The church would pay the taxes on the money it receives from the members and bake sales or whatever churches do.
Since a church isn't forced to give money out, it's not a charity.
Therefore it should be taxed.

[Great Nepal]

If they give to charity, they can claim tax exemptions for charitable donations like you know... every other organisation

Only up to 10% of their net taxable income, like every other organization?

If that is prevailing rule for exemptions for other organisations in said jurisdiction; then yes. Churches are organisations, they should be treated in the same way and subject to same restrictions as every other organisation.

[Eaglleia]

They should pay a tax equaling the amount of followers they have.
But, they don't have to pay taxes for something as giving homeless shelter for a night, giving meals and helping.
That, is where a true religion stands for; getting people together and let them just live in peace.

Uh....so if they're taxed...they'll be losing the money they use for those things. >.>

[The Time Alliance]

The goverment can't tax your faith organization because the church's money comes from the taxpayers

If I pay for a coffee at Starbucks, they are going to pay taxes using taxpayer money.
That's how money works, silly.

You aren't required to pay at church, so you aren't paying extra taxes.
The church would pay the taxes on the money it receives from the members and bake sales or whatever churches do.
Since a church isn't forced to give money out, it's not a charity.
Therefore it should be taxed.

But if they do act as charities they should be able to exempt

[Galloism]

Only up to 10% of their net taxable income, like every other organization?

If that is prevailing rule for exemptions for other organisations in said jurisdiction; then yes. Churches are organisations, they should be treated in the same way and subject to same restrictions as every other organisation.

They are subject to the same rules as every other 501(c)3 organization (other than being exempt from annual reporting, which I don't agree with), does that count?

[The Kingdom Historia]

dont tax the local churches. tax the larger establishments and scienctology

[Great Nepal]

If that is prevailing rule for exemptions for other organisations in said jurisdiction; then yes. Churches are organisations, they should be treated in the same way and subject to same restrictions as every other organisation.

They are subject to the same rules as every other 501(c)3 organization (other than being exempt from annual reporting, which I don't agree with), does that count?

Yes, although they shouldn't be exempt from annual reporting either. If other 501(c)3 organisations have to file annual report, so should churches.

[The Time Alliance]

dont tax the local churches. tax the larger establishments and scienctology

Yeah... tax the Catholics, Mormons and Muslims but not the protestants. Amirite?

[Divair2]

No.

[Pope Joan]

If you tax churches, many of us will close. Our budgets are cut close to the bone as it is.

So then you get no tax after all.

And you lose our thrift shop, and the heating oil and gasoline money we give to people who would otherwise be cold and unable to drive 30 miles to where the jobs are. No secular groups are around to pick up that responsibility.

[Ostroeuropa]

They should follow the same rules as the national stamp collecting society.

[Occupied Deutschland]

No.

Soon:
"Flock, the only true Lord-supported candidate in this latest race is Bill Jacobsen. We here at the Church of Latter Day Saints urge you to support Bill Jacobsen. You're offering today goes to the campaign committee of Bill Jacobsen. Let us pray for Bill Jacobsen's victory."

[Bundesdeutschland]

Yes. Let them stay exempt.

[Divair2]

No.

Soon:
"Flock, the only true Lord-supported candidate in this latest race is Bill Jacobsen. We here at the Church of Latter Day Saints urge you to support Bill Jacobsen. You're offering today goes to the campaign committee of Bill Jacobsen. Let us pray for Bill Jacobsen's victory."

Doesn't sound much different than the modern day.

[The United Brony Armies]

They should pay a tax equaling the amount of followers they have.
But, they don't have to pay taxes for something as giving homeless shelter for a night, giving meals and helping.
That, is where a true religion stands for; getting people together and let them just live in peace, imho.

You pay taxes on money you make, no offense, but I don't think a church will be making much money from the homeless