Does Mitt get a lower tithing rate? ....

[_Rollo Tomasi]

What with all the hoopla in the news surrounding Mitt's taxers, I couldn't help but peruse Mitt's newly disclosed tax returns, particularly the 2010 return. It showed that Mitt and his wife had an adjusted gross income in 2010 of $21,646,507.00. For those who believe the law of tithing requires 10% of one's gross income, this would mean total tithing of $2,164,650.70 based on that gross income figure. However, Mitt's return shows that cash in the amount of $1,525,167.00 was paid to the LDS Church (included in this figure are likely non-tithing donations (i.e., fast offerings, etc.), but this couldn't be determined from the form). This calculates to about 7% of Mitt's gross income.

His 2010 tax return also shows that another $1,458,807.00 was donated by Mitt's wife (I believe) to a charity (set up by Mitt and his wife) called "The Tyler Foundation." In the tax return for "The Tyler Foundation," $145,000.00 was donated by the foundation to the LDS Church. The form does not say what for, so I know whether this was some other form of "tithing," but even presuming it was, and adding it to the above figure, brings total contributions to the LDS Church of $1,670,167.00, or just less than 7.5% of Mitt's adjusted gross income.

I guess this means that Mitt pays tithing on his net income, not gross. That very question was asked today by a reporter on a conference call between the press and Mitt's campaign and tax advisors, who responded that they did not know whether Mitt paid tithing on gross or net income.

in my opinion, the Brethren have never said whether tithing should be paid on gross or net income because, by leaving the issue ambiguous, this often leads TBM's to pay on gross income just 'to be on the safe side' . But Mitt is not falling for it.

[_DarkHelmet]

It is interesting that he donates to other charities before he has fulfilled his tithing requirements. That is a no-no.

[_bcspace]

Yes, there is a tension here. A perfectly reasonable one that causes people to quest spiritually for the right answer that works for them. In reality, very little in life is going to be spelled out for you so the real questions are you going to give grudgingly and are you going to rely on God for answers within the bounds He has set?

It is interesting that he donates to other charities before he has fulfilled his tithing requirements. That is a no-no.

And yet there is no punishment or censure for it.

[_Bond James Bond]

I have a feeling if a lot of Mormons were to provide their tax returns we'd learn that 6-8% is the new 10%.

The important thing is that Mitt didn't get offended and leave the church or succumb to any desires to leave the church and sin, because $1.6 million could be $0 for the LDS Church next year.

[_Dr. Shades]

I read another article somewhere that talked about Romney donating lots of stocks to the church. The church allows this.

That probably makes up the remaining 2.5%.

[_bcspace]

I have a feeling if a lot of Mormons were to provide their tax returns

And yet such has never been required.

[_Bond James Bond]

I read another article somewhere that talked about Romney donating lots of stocks to the church. The church allows this.

That probably makes up the remaining 2.5%.

I saw that article. I think he was donating it tax-free as part of a loophole.

[_aranyborju]

I read another article somewhere that talked about Romney donating lots of stocks to the church. The church allows this.

That probably makes up the remaining 2.5%.

I saw that article. I think he was donating it tax-free as part of a loophole.

It's not a loophole, it's just a standard deduction.

[_moksha]

I read another article somewhere that talked about Romney donating lots of stocks to the church. The church allows this.

That probably makes up the remaining 2.5%.

Wasn't that in a tax year other than 2010?

[_moksha]

Castigating Mitt on his lower tithing bracket is just playing in to what Rep. John Boehner calls the "politics of envy". If we had that much money we too would look for a good tithing attorney.