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To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.

Organizations described in section 501(c)(3) are commonly referred to as charitable organizations. Organizations described in section 501(c)(3), other than testing for public safety organizations, are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions in accordance with Code section 170.

The organization must not be organized or operated for the benefit of private interests, and no part of a section 501(c)(3) organization's net earnings may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual

Some Schmo wrote:Yep, any time I hear someone complaining about taking god out of schools, making a case for displaying the 10 commandments in a public place, or bitching about the definition of marriage, I'm going to tell them they have no case and I don't want to hear it until I see their church paying taxes.

It's such a double standard. Don't these people understand separation of church and state? I think churches should have to pay taxes anyway, given all the wasted time already spent on things like prop 8. Given the crap load of money being raked in, it could help balance the budget and pay down the deficit.

TAK wrote:

Some Schmo wrote:Yep, any time I hear someone complaining about taking god out of schools, making a case for displaying the 10 commandments in a public place, or bitching about the definition of marriage, I'm going to tell them they have no case and I don't want to hear it until I see their church paying taxes.

It's such a double standard. Don't these people understand separation of church and state? I think churches should have to pay taxes anyway, given all the wasted time already spent on things like prop 8. Given the crap load of money being raked in, it could help balance the budget and pay down the deficit.

At a time when communities are squeezed for resources and budgets for schools and services are being cut - its a crock that churches sit on the most valuable properties exempt from paying taxes like any other business. Which is what a religion is. A business. To the extent that actually perform a charitable - I have no problem making at exempt. Other wise they perform much the same function as a Country Club and Yacht Club. And they pay taxes.

Jason Bourne wrote:
Here is the deal. For some reason congress and other communities believe that it is in societies best interest to give tax exemptions to NFPs including Churches. They also give you a tax benefit if you choose to support them. Don't like it? Write your congressman or senator or start a lobby group to persuade congress to change the law.

TAK wrote:in the mean time we all subsidize religions..

Some Schmo wrote:Given the crap load of money being raked in, it could help balance the budget and pay down the deficit.

asbestosman wrote:

TAK wrote:in the mean time we all subsidize religions..

Makes you wonder how much support the public would continue to have if they realized that they're subsidizing religions they don't like be it Catholics, Mormons, or Scientologists.

asbestosman wrote:

TAK wrote:in the mean time we all subsidize religions..

Makes you wonder how much support the public would continue to have if they realized that they're subsidizing religions they don't like be it Catholics, Mormons, or Scientologists.