Time For Churches To Pay Taxes?

[Fionn mac Cumh]

The thread title says it all.

[Pliny]

No. There is that thing, you know... The constitution and the first amendment...

[Fionn mac Cumh]

Originally Posted by Pliny

No. There is that thing, you know... The constitution and the first amendment...

Do explain how that allows them to not pay taxes? Also, taxes were at one time unconstitutional until the good ole 16th amendment got passed.

[Pliny]

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.


Taxes are "laws" and Congress has NO power to make law concerning the establishment of religion. Also, taxes unduly burden the free exercise thereof.

You're welcome.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Fionn mac Cumh

The thread title says it all.

After all the expenses, most churches would owe nothing.

Churches spend a lot of their money on bills

[Fionn mac Cumh]

Originally Posted by Pliny

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.


Taxes are "laws" and Congress has NO power to make law concerning the establishment of religion. Also, taxes unduly burden the free exercise thereof.

You're welcome.

How is making them pay taxes restricting their religion?

[KeptByTheWord]

If pastor's homes alone were allowed property taxes, this would bring in a huge tax revenue. I can understand church property being a tax write off, but not pastor's homes. The work of a pastor provides them with an income, of which they should pay taxes on, just like everyone else.

I could understand deductions for church utility bills etc., but there should be a limit on exactly what is tax-free. For example, I know pastors who use the church credit card to buy all their gas, groceries, and living expenses with - tax free. This is outrageous, in my opinion.

No wonder many "aspire" to the ministry - the income benefits and tax write offs are the best in the country really (maybe even better than those of the President of the USA, lol).

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Pliny

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.


Taxes are "laws" and Congress has NO power to make law concerning the establishment of religion. Also, taxes unduly burden the free exercise thereof.

You're welcome.

Couldn't that be said to be violated when tax law is written to make religious bodies tax exempt? However, it was deemed legal if ALL religious NPCs were considered equally tax exempt under the law. By that logic... should the government chose to lift all tax exemption for religious bodies... it would be perfectly legal as long as all religious bodies are equally held liable for taxation.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

If pastor's homes alone were allowed property taxes, this would bring in a huge tax revenue. I can understand church property being a tax write off, but not pastor's homes. The work of a pastor provides them with an income, of which they should pay taxes on, just like everyone else.

I could understand deductions for church utility bills etc., but there should be a limit on exactly what is tax-free. For example, I know pastors who use the church credit card to buy all their gas, groceries, and living expenses with - tax free. This is outrageous, in my opinion.

No wonder many "aspire" to the ministry - the income benefits and tax write offs are the best in the country really (maybe even better than those of the President of the USA, lol).

Pastors have to pay the same taxes everyone else does on income. Yes they have to pay property taxes if they buy a home. If they buy a car they have to pay sales tax

Using a church credit card is illegal I believe, for personal use

[good samaritan]

Churches should not pay taxes. Every member of the congregation is taxed already and would be doubly taxed because the church is the congregation. The pastor's salary and any for profit employee does have to pay taxes, but the church should not have to pay taxes and it is not logical to think they should. Before I allowed anyone to forbid me from teaching the word of God they can take away tax exempt status, but it would be an injustice.

From my limited study, before 501c3, churches have always been tax exempt. Tax law is a door for government to try and control pulpits. Churches should not pay taxes, but if tax exemption is going to interfere with our freedom of religion then I'll gladly pay taxes. Also, privately and individually owned property is taxable. Pastors do pay taxes on all of their personal property. If the church owns a parsonage then it isn't taxed, but neither does it belong to the pastor.