Should The Mormon Church Pay Taxes? (...

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-19-2007
Should The Mormon Church Pay Taxes? (...
97
Fri, 09-19-2008 - 12:56am

Should The Mormon Church Pay Taxes? (See 1st post.)



  • No. Don't tax them.
  • Yes. Tax them.


You will be able to change your vote.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-27-2001
Sun, 09-21-2008 - 1:13pm

There is good reason for not taxing non-profits, including religious institutions.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-25-2008
Sun, 09-21-2008 - 1:45pm

I believe than to the extent that a not-for-profit is actually engaged in charitable work, that portion of their work should not be taxed, as it benefits the community as a whole.


However, a church is just another social club, except to the extent, for example, that they run a soup kitchen, or a school, etc.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-27-2001
Sun, 09-21-2008 - 1:47pm

Clubs that get together that are not for profit also do not pay taxes.


This includes thinks like the Knights of Columbus, the Elks, etc.


my4lovies2aug4.jpg picture by LadyCaribou


Thank you, nicole_ftm for my siggy!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-19-2007
Sun, 09-21-2008 - 2:01pm

Some of the biggest, sometimes-political instutions such as the Roman Catholic church, the Church of Latter Day Saints, and many Jewish communities give back so much to their communities that they ease the burden of welfare, homeless shelters, AIDS care, disaster relief, counseling, charitable medical care, education, and many, many more causes that the government would have to pick up the slack for if they were taxed.


I think we could do more good with the money raised from taxing churches by putting that tax money into health care or low income housing or literacy programs

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-21-2005
Sun, 09-21-2008 - 4:12pm

I think the argument can really extend beyond churches not paying taxes. Many institutions that are incredibly rich in resources not only PAY no taxes, but donations to them are eligible for tax deductions. Harvard University has a 35 BILLION DOLLAR ENDOWMENT, doesn't pay taxes, and people still line up to give them multi-million dollar donations every year.

Now, I do that in tax deductions encourage charitable giving, and I appreciate that in this country, we're given a choice about the charities we want to support -- in theory, this should increase accountability and that is a good thing. Independent charities can also accomplish things better than government-run agencies perhaps could in certain cases (like when neutrality is required). But I also think the guidelines of what really counts as a tax-deductible charitable contribution should be reconsidered.

Caroline

Caroline

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-27-2008
Sun, 09-21-2008 - 4:18pm

I don't see a Sunday Service as any different than any other fund raising effort, or fund awareness raising event.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-21-2005
Sun, 09-21-2008 - 4:33pm

>>I don't see a Sunday Service as any different than any other fund raising effort, or fund awareness raising event. The people who do the work of charity in religion need motivation just like those who do the work of charity for secular organizations.<<

I don't know enough about how the LDS Church is set up, but I know that groups like Catholic Charities are separate 501(c)(3)s from their diocease or whatever. So the $5 you might throw into the collection plate, unless it's for a special collection, isn't going to the soup kitchen -- it's going to maintain the building, pay the priest, etc.

Caroline

Caroline

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-25-2008
Sun, 09-21-2008 - 5:03pm
And, to the extent that they don't provide active charitible works, they should be taxed as well
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2008
Sun, 09-21-2008 - 5:25pm
but if the contributions come from us, the little guy who already paid taxes on the contributions, would that not be a double tax?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 09-21-2008 - 5:49pm
Again, absinthe, you and I are in perfect agreement! Is this getting to be a habit? *wink*

The 3 Day

Sandy

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