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Should we rethink the "non-profit" tax status?

Should we rethink the "non-profit" tax status?

  • Yes, it no longer serves a purpose other than a tax dodge.

    Votes: 8 40.0%

  • Some, as some work is still good and other work shouldn't qualify.

    Votes: 4 20.0%

  • No, there's too much worthy work being done and it should be encouraged.

    Votes: 5 25.0%

  • Other (please elaborate)

    Votes: 3 15.0%
  • Total voters
    20
Fisher said:
Well, the short answer is that the Constitution does not define what income is. Congress via the IRS does. Now, I am interested to see if Article I, Section 9, Clause 4 "No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken" gets litigated in relation to Obamacare in 2014-2015.
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It would not be interpreted as a direct tax but one of choice. One can choose to purchase insurance, if required, or pay a tax in lieu of doing so...
 
radcen said:
You don't understand the definition of "unfettered".
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You don't think religious leaders meet with Senators and Congresspeople all the time? You don't think these people are influenced from the pulpit every Sunday? Seriously?
 
Cephus said:
It was a desire to keep the churches and the state wholly separate that was the initial reason not to pay taxes, plus the fact that churches often did a lot of charitable work so they were killing two birds with one stone. That's just not the case today. Nobody is stopping churches from speaking freely, but look at all of the preachers who are on TV, speaking openly about political causes, yet I bet their churches are paying no taxes, even though it's a clear violation of the tax code to do what they do.
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At the time of the revolution/Constitution, there were three ways in which power was gathered in the world, all of which threatened democracy: Power by status so all men are equal and there is no nobility in the US; domination by the wealthy elite which why the government was giving out free land and expanding like crazy--people on their own land supporting themselves would not be subjugated by wealthy interests; and the power of religion, which is why the church and state were separated. Removing that well placed barrier will undermine democracy in a way I am not sure you can fathom since we have not had religious wars in the US nor has the world seen a real one in quite some time.
 
AlabamaPaul said:
It would not be interpreted as a direct tax but one of choice. One can choose to purchase insurance, if required, or pay a tax in lieu of doing so...
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Time will tell.......
 
Fisher said:
I believe most ministers do pay taxes, if for no other reason, so they can draw social security and medicare when they retire.
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THEY pay taxes, but the business through which they are payed do not...which ultimately affects their pay.
 
we shouldn't have a tax on income so it would not be relevant
 
Cephus said:
Agreed. I think it would be easier if we just eliminated all tax exemptions except for registered charities and they are only tax exempt on the money that goes directly toward charitable causes. Any overhead, any administration costs, those are not tax exempt, whether you're a church or a national charity. Simplify the rules and eliminate the loopholes.
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.... a comment that sounds good, but really makes little sense. Your idea of "simplifying the rules" is to complicate them? You have the makings of a legislator.

Currently 100% of activities of non-profits (501-c-3) is tax exempt and contributions tax deductible. Its pretty simple. Your plan would have some formula for determining the tax deductibility of contributions based upon the percentage of revenue went to the chartered constituency vs. what percentage paid for overhead. That is a ton more complicated than that current system.
 
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AlabamaPaul said:
I'm wondering why no one is discussing how the 16th amendment contributes to many of the disagreements the country finds itself fighting over today. The question would be moot without it...
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You think state and local taxes don't count?
 
RabidAlpaca said:
I don't think anybody should be special. A church is a business just like any other, as the local ones have full time staff, and the CEO even has a big shiny golden palace. Everyone should pay taxes equally or nobody should.
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What he said ^
 
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