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Should Congress revoke the NFL's tax exempt status?

Should NFL be required to pay Federal taxes?

  • Yes (explain)

    Votes: 35 76.1%
  • No (explain)

    Votes: 6 13.0%
  • Other (explain)

    Votes: 5 10.9%

  • Total voters
    46
From change.org:



http://www.change.org/petitions/con...exempt-status-of-the-national-football-league


The question is fairly black and white; should the NFL's status as tax exempt be revoked?

I voted other. I agree with you I just don't think one individual organization should be targeted by legislation as I think it sets a bad precedent and is manifestly unfair. I would support a more general change in legislation that happens to cover the NFL but broadly affects other groups and organizations.
 
The amount is irrelevant.

I wouldn't bet money that it will be changed anytime soon. But it is good that the issue is out there and being discussed. If nothing else it will at least give more of the population an idea of exactly what are government does in our name.

Are there other non-profits that you would like to see taxed?
 
I voted other. I agree with you I just don't think one individual organization should be targeted by legislation as I think it sets a bad precedent and is manifestly unfair. I would support a more general change in legislation that happens to cover the NFL but broadly affects other groups and organizations.
While I haven't said so specifically, that's what I advocate as well. I'm not railing against the NFL in particular, they just happen to be the example of the day.
 
Name some and I'll answer 'yes', 'no', or 'maybe'.

Charities
Churches
Ethnic Clubs (German, French, Italian, whatever)
Colleges and Universities
Presidential Foundations/Libraries
Sports Leagues
 
Are there other non-profits that you would like to see taxed?

Here's a candidate that I personally have investigated, the Lied Animal Foundation, a true money-maker that pays no taxes and has a history of murder to increase the bottom line. http://www.manysplendidcats.com/

I'd like to see every one of them taxed. You know that if they actually used their donations to do good, I'd feel differently. But most of them are just corporations wearing sheep's clothing. They pay themselves well, contract services to friends and often the supposed cause sees only a fraction of their unearned income (donations). On a scale of 1 to 10, altruism is usually about a 1.
 
From change.org:



http://www.change.org/petitions/con...exempt-status-of-the-national-football-league


The question is fairly black and white; should the NFL's status as tax exempt be revoked?

In my humble opinion those calling for the NFL's tax exempt status to be revoked probably don't understand it completely. The NFL is the association to which the teams belong. I know it sounds like WHAT THE HECK because football is big business but all the money is made by the teams, not the league, and the teams do pay taxes. The NFL doesn't own any teams nor sells any tickets. I might be wrong but I think the NFL (the tax exempt league) only makes money through dues paid by the teams, the NFL Cable TV Network, NFL Films and fines.

A good comparison more people might understand would be suppose there's a gated community of multi-million dollar homes. Within that gated community is a home owners' association that maintains the common grounds, runs the clubhouse, swimming pool, staffs the guard gate, etc. Although the homes are worth millions each, the HOA doesn't own any. All they do is cut the grass, writes and enforces HOA rules, facilitates elections for the HOA among the home owners and pays a small staff of security guards all funded by homeowner dues and maybe a little from selling stuff in the pro-shop. The homeowners paid sales taxes when their purchased and pay annual property taxes through the nose. However since the HOA is nothing more than the homeowners' residence club, its a non-profit group. In essence its no different than the American Medical Association, a private tax-exempt non-profit association of doctors. Although all member doctors are making a decent income and do pay taxes themselves, their club does not.
 
I think this article tells a better story. It explains the reasoning behind it in full, not with a "Oh look! Another big evil corporation making money we can't tax!" slant on it. If you still disagree, that's you prerogative. But at least you will do so with all the facts at hand. Notice how the change.org story even stole the first paragraph of the usa today article yet failed to attach the rest where it says:
"All 32 teams are subject to tax"
as well as
"The league's most recent tax form said that it distributed $4.3billion to clubs, where such money is subject to tax."
or
""Every dollar of income generated in the NFL — such as tickets, TV rights fees, merchandise sales, etc. — is subject to federal income tax."
To tax or not? The NFL's relationship with the IRS
 
Most definitely, building a $1 billion stadium in the great recession was tasteless enough, but this is nothing but pure entertainment. They are not a necessity of life.
What may be more tasteless is the fact that we as a society buy tickets to said facility. These guys don't just build stadiums without a demand for the stadium. This isn't Field of Dreams. If they don't build it, they won't come.
 
In my humble opinion those calling for the NFL's tax exempt status to be revoked probably don't understand it completely. The NFL is the association to which the teams belong. I know it sounds like WHAT THE HECK because football is big business but all the money is made by the teams, not the league, and the teams do pay taxes. The NFL doesn't own any teams nor sells any tickets. I might be wrong but I think the NFL (the tax exempt league) only makes money through dues paid by the teams, the NFL Cable TV Network, NFL Films and fines.
The NFL does merchandising for the teams. The NFL also coordinates broadcast contracts. Plus other stuff.

And, yes, much of that money is filtered down to the teams. And yes, the teams do pay taxes. But, any money that isn't filtered down, money that is retained by the league, regardless the reason, should be taxed. If that takes a red-defining of what a non-profit is and does, so be it.

I would apply this to other professional sports leagues as well.

Given how "big business" the NCAA has become, I would be open to applying the same taxation to them also (if they enjoy the same status).
 
No taxes because they would have to sell their logos to Cayman Island corporations and rent them back at exorbitant rates.
Let's keep them all American.
 
They are not taxed?????

Tax them and you can tax the churches while you are at it - except what they donate to worthy causes like the rest of us.:cool:
 
The NFL does merchandising for the teams. The NFL also coordinates broadcast contracts. Plus other stuff.

And, yes, much of that money is filtered down to the teams. And yes, the teams do pay taxes. But, any money that isn't filtered down, money that is retained by the league, regardless the reason, should be taxed. If that takes a red-defining of what a non-profit is and does, so be it.

I would apply this to other professional sports leagues as well.

Given how "big business" the NCAA has become, I would be open to applying the same taxation to them also (if they enjoy the same status).

Schools? NCAA money is used to finance the education of students, most of whom don't play for their college's teams.

BTW: If I'm not mistaken non-profits aren't allowed to "retain" any money after expenses, thus no profits to tax.
 
http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2012/131/922/2012-131922622-0907a8cd-9O.pdf

Gosh darnit, they're trying their best to operate as a charitable organization on a meager $quarter of a billion a year! LOL I'm being facetious.

Even though they have a big budget, they're not a for profit business. In America profits are taxed, not revenue and there is a difference. If we change the definition of non-profit in order to tax the NFL, we change the definition of "profit" and risk creating an anti-business climate in America. NFL share-holders, the 32 team owners, do not get paid dividends. Instead the PAY money to the NFL.
 
What???? I didn't know the NFL was tax exempt! Why on earth is THAT? That's ridiculous! I say cut this before we cut food stamps. (Obviously, I'm not a sports fan.)
 
Why don't we just tax people and stop pretending that other entities can pay taxes.

I agree with you in principle but I think it would take more then just that to be fair. The entire system needs reformed in my opinion and until these entities can no longer benefit individuals they need to be taxed. What I mean by this is lets say Corporation X purchases lush resort properties to house their top CEOs, furnish them cars, planes, ect. all of which are used for personal use as well as business use. Many business will simply count them as business expenses while the individual may pay no taxes on these benefits. Essentially if entities were tax exempt they could simple provide employees with all that they need and avoid the tax burden on their employees.
 
Here's a candidate that I personally have investigated, the Lied Animal Foundation, a true money-maker that pays no taxes and has a history of murder to increase the bottom line. Advocacy for exceptional cats in imminent danger

I'd like to see every one of them taxed. You know that if they actually used their donations to do good, I'd feel differently. But most of them are just corporations wearing sheep's clothing. They pay themselves well, contract services to friends and often the supposed cause sees only a fraction of their unearned income (donations). On a scale of 1 to 10, altruism is usually about a 1.

I have no doubt you researched them and I accept your judgement; however, I do have to respond to this: "corporations wearing sheep's clothing". What propaganda nonsense. If you don't want corporations to exist then seek to have them outlawed! Just keep in mind that organizations such as the Red Cross are corporations.

You may backtrack now.
 
I never realized that the NFL was tax exempt in the first place. I can see no reason why it should be. I say revoke it.
 
I have no doubt you researched them and I accept your judgement; however, I do have to respond to this: "corporations wearing sheep's clothing". What propaganda nonsense. If you don't want corporations to exist then seek to have them outlawed! Just keep in mind that organizations such as the Red Cross are corporations.

You may backtrack now.

Why should I backtrack? Where are you coming up with "corporations". My topic is "non-profit" corporations and if you want to do some research, you'll see exactly what I see, fine wages, friends in management and subcontracting services to secret affiliates. This is true in many cases, not all. Some are completely dedicated to their good works. Some politicians are honest. Some cats speak Klingon.

Overstating your case will not give you victory.
 
The NFL acts as an organization entity for the teams, it's not a for-profit institution.

The fact that Goddell's pay (who. by the way, definitely pays taxes) is used as evidence to the contrary demonstrates the ignorance of supporters of taxing the NFL.

Is UNICEF not a non-profit merely because their higher executives get large paychecks?
 
The NFL acts as an organization entity for the teams, it's not a for-profit institution.

The fact that Goddell's pay (who. by the way, definitely pays taxes) is used as evidence to the contrary demonstrates the ignorance of supporters of taxing the NFL.

Is UNICEF not a non-profit merely because their higher executives get large paychecks?
The fact that Goodell pays income tax is neither here nor there. Bill Gates also pays income tax and his company is "for profit", yet we don't consider that to be double-taxation.
 
The fact that Goodell pays income tax is neither here nor there. Bill Gates also pays income tax and his company is "for profit", yet we don't consider that to be double-taxation.

when did I say that? All I said about Goddell's taxation is that his pay has absolutely nothing to do with NFL's non-profit status.

The NFL is a non-profit because it doesn't operate for-profit but as an organization institution for the Football teams.
 
Why should I backtrack? Where are you coming up with "corporations". My topic is "non-profit" corporations and if you want to do some research, you'll see exactly what I see, fine wages, friends in management and subcontracting services to secret affiliates. This is true in many cases, not all. Some are completely dedicated to their good works. Some politicians are honest. Some cats speak Klingon.

Overstating your case will not give you victory.

I reacted to your statement comparing corporations to wolves, which to me is too broad. If you are referring to non-profits, it still seems to overbroad to me, but whatever. Victory? WTF is that on an online board?
 
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