They <i>are</i> taxed, as W2 employees. In fact, they pay <i>more</i> tax than other people, because in addition to full income tax, they pay <i>double</i> SS tax. Look it up.
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Church Tax, Wadda ya think?
- Thread starter KINGOFSHORTS
- Start date
They <i>are</i> taxed, as W2 employees. In fact, they pay <i>more</i> tax than other people, because in addition to full income tax, they pay <i>double</i> SS tax. Look it up.
Precisely. I suspect the loudest objectors are those men of god with the nicest cars and fanciest clothes.Quote from Kassz007:
If the church really did give all money as humanitarian aid, etc., then they have nothing to worry about. Charitable donations and whatnot should be deductible just like any other corporation...
Quote from KINGOFSHORTS:
I think it makes sense, Those Televangalists rake in billions a year tax free and none of it goes to local communities, its all for their extravagant lifestyle. On TV you see them every day begging for money, having to make the 4 million dollar goal for the day etc..
Idiotic idea. Churches and charities help the poor at a tiny fraction of wasteful welfare programs. It's not as if a few televangelists are a representative sample.
most churches only give out about 10% to charity work and even that is somehow related to gaining new converts. most of the money is eaten up maintaining fancy buildings and salaries.Quote from filter_sweep:
I agree that anyone working for a church and collecting income, such as a pastor, should be taxed just like the rest of us. And that includes his home, vehicles, etc. if the church picks that stuff up.
However, there are churches out there, such as the one I go to, where no one receives payment for services rendered. All the money collected goes towards things like humanitarian aid, in addition to keeping the lights on, etc. What would be the point in taxing an entity like that? Take money from the church, who was going to use that money to try and better society, and give it to the government, so they can try and better society with it? Like they've demonstrated any competency at doing that in the past?
I'm a bit more libertarian in my political leanings, so I'd rather not see the government, which always has been and always will be corrupted by incentives and conflicts of interest, be the main source of welfare distribution in this world. While churces aren't perfect, I've always been impressed by the outreach programs and humanitarian aid they give freely to the world. Government should only provide the meagerest of safety nets, let's go back to a time when neighbors helped neighbors.
Quote from Free Thinker:
most churches only give out about 10% to charity work and even that is somehow related to gaining new converts. most of the money is eaten up maintaining fancy buildings and salaries.
Salaries of church employees -- pastors, organists, clerical staff -- <i>are</i> taxed, quite heavily -- as I mentioned before. Some slow learners on this thread.
Quote from Rodney King:
Salaries of church employees -- pastors, organists, clerical staff -- <i>are</i> taxed, quite heavily -- as I mentioned before. Some slow learners on this thread.
They don't want to learn. Plain and simple. Most so-called "free thinkers" are anything but.
And anyway you slice it, charity programs run by churches have nowhere near the waste and overhead of their government-run counterparts. Oh, and church (and other private) schools educate kids for a fraction of gov't schools and do a better job to boot.
Instead of raising taxes on anyone, cut waste and programs at the gov't level. What a novel idea.
Quote from Kassz007:
Churches should absolutely have to pay taxes. This is actually one of the main reasons I despise religion. Just because I believe or don't believe in certain things does not mean I should have to pay taxes and you don't.
No you despise religion for a host of other reasons!!!!!! Maybe what you really despise is the way you are living. : )
And tax charities too, the biggest scammers. 90% of proceeds go to administration. Greenscam, PETA, Oxfam.
Tax politicians for campaign money, even better.
Tax politicians for campaign money, even better.
i was responding to the charitable work claim about churches. the truth is if secular charities operated with the same 90% overhead ratio as church charities they would be shut down for fraud.Quote from Rodney King:
Salaries of church employees -- pastors, organists, clerical staff -- <i>are</i> taxed, quite heavily -- as I mentioned before. Some slow learners on this thread.
thats bullshitQuote from MKTrader:
And anyway you slice it, charity programs run by churches have nowhere near the waste and overhead of their government-run counterparts. Oh, and church (and other private) schools educate kids for a fraction of gov't schools and do a better job to boot.