Random Politics & Religion #00

Special tax rules apply to churches in the same manner that special tax rules apply to 501C3 non profit organizations. Because churches are clearly recognized as non profit organizations.


The "intolerance" of the church shall not be tolerated.

KN isn't around. We're still talking about taxes.

*pulls at scalp*

Special tax rules apply to churches in the same manner that special tax rules apply to 501C3 non profit organizations. Because churches are clearly recognized as non profit organizations.


The "intolerance" of the church shall not be tolerated.

Congress has enacted special tax laws applicable to churches, religious organizations, and ministers in recognition of their unique status in American society and of their rights guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. Churches and religious organizations are generally exempt from income tax and receive other favorable treatment under the tax law; however, certain income of a church or religious organization may be subject to tax, such as income from an unrelated business.

They can only be audited under very certain circumstances, they do not have to file annual returns, and they are immediately granted tax exempt status. All of this being different from the other 501(c)(3) non-church/religious organizations.

Yes, exactly who gets to decide what views are worthy of "consequences"? Because I'm sure if they were liberal views instead of conservative ones, the narrative would be quite different.

All you're illustrating is that they occupy their own sub catagory within the non-profit category. If we were to strip them of all that distinguished them from the rest of the non profits, they would still be a 501C3 non profit. Tell me why again is it justified to attack this type of non profit and not others?

Is it because you love anti-Catholicism?

All you're illustrating is that they occupy their own sub catagory within the non-profit category. If we were to strip them of all that distinguished them from the rest of the non profits, they would still be a 501C3 non profit. Tell me why again is it justified to attack this type of non profit and not others?

Is it because you love anti-Catholicism?

Why are churches in your mind automatically conservative?

Milamber was referring to the act of refraining from performing gay marriages when he mentioned consequences, which is a conservative stance. I'm getting tired of having to clarify and explain obvious things to you guys. You can actually think before you type if that helps.

Special tax rules apply to churches in the same manner that special tax rules apply to 501C3 non profit organizations. Because churches are clearly recognized as non profit organizations.

a church that is opposed to the payment of Social Security
and Medicare taxes for religious reasons files IRS Form 8274,
Certification by Churches and Qualified Church Controlled
Organizations Electing Exemption From Employer Social
Security and Medicare Taxes
...
Churches and religious organizations are not liable for FUTA
tax. For further information on FUTA, see IRS Publication 15,
Circular E, Employer’s Tax Guide, and IRS Publication 15-A,
Employer’s Supplemental Tax Guide. See also, IRS Publication
517, Social Security and Other Information for Members of the
Clergy and Religious Workers.
...
Unlike other exempt organizations or businesses, a church
is not required to withhold income tax from the compensation
that it pays to its duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed
ministers for performing services in the exercise of their ministry
...
Generally, a minister’s gross income does not include the fair
rental value of a home (parsonage) provided, or a housing
allowance paid, as part of the minister’s compensation for
services performed that are ordinarily the duties of a minister
...
The compensation that a church or religious organization pays
to its ministers for performing services in the exercise of ministry
is not subject to FICA taxes. However, income that a minister
earns in performing services in the exercise of his ministry is
subject to SECA tax, unless the minister has timely applied for
and received an exemption from SECA tax.
...
Congress has imposed special limitations, found in IRC
section 7611, on how and when the IRS may conduct civil tax
inquiries and examinations of churches. The IRS may only
initiate a church tax inquiry if an appropriate high-level Treasury
Department official reasonably believes, based on a written
statement of the facts and circumstances, that the organization:
(a) may not qualify for the exemption; or (b) may not be paying
tax on an unrelated business or other taxable activity.

The "intolerance" of the church shall not be tolerated.

No, the "intolerance" of a church is not without consequences.

I guess there's no such thing as a conservative or liberal stance anymore, due to outliers. That makes a ton of sense, thanks for clearing that up.

I guess there's no such thing as a conservative or liberal stance anymore, due to outliers. That makes a ton of sense, thanks for clearing that up.


So you are for punishing churches for specific views? Careful, you might just prove Nausi right.

Oh please, conservative and liberal stances are not discussed here. Republican vs. democrats are with a hell of a lot of assumptions used on who is one or the other.

Yes, exactly who gets to decide what views are worthy of "consequences"? Because I'm sure if they were liberal views instead of conservative ones, the narrative would be quite different.

I'm getting tired of having to clarify and explain obvious things to you guys. You can actually think before you type if that helps.

Not views, ACTIONS.

Or, in this case, lack of actions. Keep going, though. You guys are starting to contradict your earlier statements, so this is getting good.

Or, in this case, lack of actions. Keep going, though. You guys are starting to contradict your earlier statements, so this is getting good.

Okay, so let me get ask you guys a very straightforward question. I hardly expect a straightforward answer, but it's worth a shot.

Assuming that churches in general will not have their current privileged tax classification changed, would you be in favor of making only those churches who do not perform gay marriages pay taxes?

Looking for a yes or no here.

No, I'm for the government not giving preferential treatment to anyone automatically. If secular organizations aren't playing by the rules, yank their exempt status as well. But, in a country where the government is supposed to be clearly divorced from religious establishments, everyone seems to be ok with them being automatically granted exempt status and having zero accountability.

Individuals are free to believe and practice whatever they want, organizations that seek recognition and special status from the government have to play by the rules. Let's separate the people who are earnest in their beliefs from the ones hiding behind them.

Okay, so let me get ask you guys a very straightforward question. I hardly expect a straightforward answer, but it's worth a shot.

Assuming that churches in general will not have their current privileged tax classification changed, would you be in favor of making only those churches who do not perform gay marriages pay taxes?

Looking for a yes or no here.

You said no, but you're still beating around the bush towards a yes. Let me try again:

Do you think that refusing to perform gay marriages should automatically deny a church's non-profit status?

Okay, so let me get ask you guys a very straightforward question. I hardly expect a straightforward answer, but it's worth a shot.

Assuming that churches in general will not have their current privileged tax classification changed, would you be in favor of making only those churches who do not perform gay marriages pay taxes?

Looking for a yes or no here.

Okay, so let me get ask you guys a very straightforward question. I hardly expect a straightforward answer, but it's worth a shot.

Assuming that churches in general will not have their current privileged tax classification changed, would you be in favor of making only those churches who do not perform gay marriages pay taxes?

Looking for a yes or no here.

Can we move on now?

you are 100 times more likely to be killed by a cop in america in 2015 than killed by lightning.

at least these guys say so.