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Tax Exemption for Churches

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yankintx

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As a land owner in San Antonio who pays a substantial amount of $$ in property taxes, I am perplexed why I should subsidize religious organizations thru my property taxes. I live quite close to downtown, a location where there are many large Churches, some with pay as you go parking lots, childcare centers, and restaurants. These Churches sit on large lots with multiple buildings. and I for one feel like as a property tax payer my rights (separation of Church and State) are being violated by subsidizing there tax exempt status. Churches use local and community services, they should pay up like the rest of us. Opinions? Please lets not bash anyone religion, that's not the intent, a sane rational discussion of why the Federal government allows this free ride would be cool.

Tax exemptions | First Amendment Center ? news, commentary, analysis on free speech, press, religion, assembly, petition

Pope Francis Calls for Ending Tax-Exempt Status of Churches That Don't Help the Needy
 
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I woder how how much revenue we could make if they paid their fair share?
 
I woder how how much revenue we could make if they paid their fair share?

Not a lot in the scheme of things. They probably should pay property tax as they do make use of city services but then the argument could be made that their members already pay property taxes so in effect it's paid for. Granted there are those who don't go to church and theoretically a part of their property taxes goes to make up for churches and non-profits who don't pay.
 
I woder how how much revenue we could make if they paid their fair share?

Billions I should think, and they don't have to account for a dime. How do I get in this business?
 
Not a lot in the scheme of things. They probably should pay property tax as they do make use of city services but then the argument could be made that their members already pay property taxes so in effect it's paid for. Granted there are those who don't go to church and theoretically a part of their property taxes goes to make up for churches and non-profits who don't pay.

I can only speak for the amount of Churches in my area, downtown San Antonio, some of these churches sit on acres of prime real-estate, and they don't pay one nickel for city services. People who attend church (its there choice to attend, they are not forced) can just put a bit extra in the collection plate for churches pay property tax. That's there choice, at this point I am not given a choice and must subsidize. It is unfair.
 
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People who attend church can just put a bit extra in the collection plate to churches pay property tax. That's there choice, at this point I am not given a choice and must subsidize. It is unfair.

question?..... then why am i and others to subsidize people on welfare, and other government social programs.
 
This has already been gone over in many threads.

Churches are excepted from taxes, not exempt from tax laws; exemption implies they need legal permissions of some sort. Sniveling about how large some churches get over time isn't an argument for repealing the Bill of Rights just because somebody woke up one day and decided they didn't like churches or something. Those churches have likely been there a very long time as well, long before the land got 'valuable', and served as magnets for other development, so in effect they subsidized growth around them, from another viewpoint. They also don't get free electricity, water, and sewer, and carry insurance as well, so that claim is bogus as well.
 
As a land owner in San Antonio who pays a substantial amount of $$ in property taxes, I am perplexed why I should subsidize religious organizations thru my property taxes. I live quite close to downtown, a location where there are many large Churches, some with pay as you go parking lots, childcare centers, and restaurants. These Churches sit on large lots with multiple buildings. and I for one feel like as a property tax payer my rights (separation of Church and State) are being violated by subsidizing there tax exempt status. Churches use local and community services, they should pay up like the rest of us. Opinions? Please lets not bash anyone religion, that's not the intent, a sane rational discussion of why the Federal government allows this free ride would be cool.

Tax exemptions | First Amendment Center ? news, commentary, analysis on free speech, press, religion, assembly, petition

Pope Francis Calls for Ending Tax-Exempt Status of Churches That Don't Help the Needy

Do you believe all non profit organizations should be taxed, or do you just have it in for churches?
 
People who attend church can just put a bit extra in the collection plate for churches pay property tax. That's there choice, at this point I am not given a choice and must subsidize. It is unfair.

Sure, and homosexuals can just pay a little something say $10,000 a year for marriage licenses to help offset the subsidies paid for their AIDS epidemic, too. Yes, let's go with your 'reasoning'.
 
Billions I should think, and they don't have to account for a dime. How do I get in this business?

They don't have to account for a dime? Yeah right. I suppose it would be asking too much to provide some evidence of this?
 
Taxing religious organizations is not going to reduce your property taxes by any appreciable amount.

They're tax-exempt because your fellow citizens don't want to tax their houses of worship.

It's also a pretty old tradition, dating back to Constantine.

US law stipulates that churches that engage in political advocacy lose their tax-exempt status; though rarely enforced, this reinforces the separation of church and state. If tax exemptions are gone, churches will be free to endorse candidates and advocate political positions. And of course, they may get politically involved to regain their former tax-exempt status. There may be valid reasons to revoke the exemption, but "taxing churches will increase the separation of church and state" is not one of them.

Last but not least, they are non-profit organizations, which are generally tax-exempt.
 
As a land owner in San Antonio who pays a substantial amount of $$ in property taxes, I am perplexed why I should subsidize religious organizations thru my property taxes. I live quite close to downtown, a location where there are many large Churches, some with pay as you go parking lots, childcare centers, and restaurants. These Churches sit on large lots with multiple buildings. and I for one feel like as a property tax payer my rights (separation of Church and State) are being violated by subsidizing there tax exempt status. Churches use local and community services, they should pay up like the rest of us. Opinions? Please lets not bash anyone religion, that's not the intent, a sane rational discussion of why the Federal government allows this free ride would be cool.

Tax exemptions | First Amendment Center ? news, commentary, analysis on free speech, press, religion, assembly, petition

Pope Francis Calls for Ending Tax-Exempt Status of Churches That Don't Help the Needy

You might wanna read that 1st amendment again(for the first time), it doesn't say anything about separation of church and state
 
question?..... then why am i and others to subsidize people on welfare, and other government social programs.

I wont answer that one as it will steer the conversation off post. There are lots of other postings on this site in regards to government social programs, this thread concerns JUST Churches.
 
I understand the concern and it is valid. But in the grand scheme of things, I got no problem just leaving the churches alone. For now.

We got bigger fish to fry. Very low hanging fruit.

I would be more worried about the Exxon, Walmart, and all of those other corporate welfare recipients than I would worry about some church exemption.

Think by Numbers » Government Spends More on Corporate Welfare Subsidies than Social Welfare Programs

That's the trouble with this country. People are more worried about terror cells than they are about cancer cells. Doing the numbers, a lot of people's prioritization of concerns don't really make sense.
 
I wont answer that one as it will steer the conversation off post. There are lots of other postings on this site in regards to government social programs, this thread concerns JUST Churches.

well its not so much the social programs, it anything of a subsidy, i was referring.

now i am not pointing at you,so don't take it that way...... " why do people say that there should not be subsidies on things they don't like, yet are for subsidies on things they do like"
 
Sure, and homosexuals can just pay a little something say $10,000 a year for marriage licenses to help offset the subsidies paid for their AIDS epidemic, too. Yes, let's go with your 'reasoning'.

As a gay man, I can honestly say, I don't find that offense, quite the opposite. It clearly shows your ignorance on the issue.

And what does that have to do with the taxation of churches? Nothing!!

Keep on topic
 
well its not so much the social programs, it anything of a subsidy, i was referring.

now i am not pointing at you,so don't take it that way...... " why do people say that there should not be subsidies on things they don't like, yet are for subsidies on things they do like"

Then why bring it up?

We are discussing tax free status on churches

Not social programs, or the AIDS virus, jeesh

Did I hit a nerve? Certainly this has brought a few of the crazies out
 
I understand the concern and it is valid. But in the grand scheme of things, I got no problem just leaving the churches alone. For now.

We got bigger fish to fry. Very low hanging fruit.

I would be more worried about the Exxon, Walmart, and all of those other corporate welfare recipients than I would worry about some church exemption.

Think by Numbers » Government Spends More on Corporate Welfare Subsidies than Social Welfare Programs

Then why respond, its important to me and others? I don't judge what is important to others, do you?

That's the trouble with this country. People are more worried about terror cells than they are about cancer cells. Doing the numbers, a lot of people's prioritization of concerns don't really make sense.

I don't know about other communities, but San Antonio has a church on almost every corner, I have no issues with churches or those that wish to attend.

And how does the IRS determine what is a church? Obviously L Ron Hubbard was right, its an easy way to rake in cash lol
 
As a gay man, I can honestly say, I don't find that offense, quite the opposite. It clearly shows your ignorance on the issue.

And what does that have to do with the taxation of churches? Nothing!!

Keep on topic

What was the topic again? Your ignorant claim that "separation of church and state" is a right? or maybe your ignorance of Walz v Tax Commission of the City of New York (1970) which ruled that property tax exemptions dont violate the establishment clause?
 
Then why bring it up?

We are discussing tax free status on churches

Not social programs, or the AIDS virus, jeesh

Did I hit a nerve? Certainly this has brought a few of the crazies out

no, my nerve are not hit this forum does not do that to me...... but i hear the theme of subsidies often.

please understand my comment was not dig at you.

peace be with you:)
 
Taxing religious organizations is not going to reduce your property taxes by any appreciable amount.

They're tax-exempt because your fellow citizens don't want to tax their houses of worship.

It's also a pretty old tradition, dating back to Constantine.

US law stipulates that churches that engage in political advocacy lose their tax-exempt status; though rarely enforced, this reinforces the separation of church and state. If tax exemptions are gone, churches will be free to endorse candidates and advocate political positions. And of course, they may get politically involved to regain their former tax-exempt status. There may be valid reasons to revoke the exemption, but "taxing churches will increase the separation of church and state" is not one of them.

Last but not least, they are non-profit organizations, which are generally tax-exempt.

Is Scientology non profit?
 
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Given that the church was tax exempt before you moved to the area, you're not subsidizing anything. You are subsidizing the schools with most of those taxes.
 
As a land owner in San Antonio who pays a substantial amount of $$ in property taxes, I am perplexed why I should subsidize religious organizations thru my property taxes. I live quite close to downtown, a location where there are many large Churches, some with pay as you go parking lots, childcare centers, and restaurants. These Churches sit on large lots with multiple buildings. and I for one feel like as a property tax payer my rights (separation of Church and State) are being violated by subsidizing there tax exempt status. Churches use local and community services, they should pay up like the rest of us. Opinions? Please lets not bash anyone religion, that's not the intent, a sane rational discussion of why the Federal government allows this free ride would be cool.

Tax exemptions | First Amendment Center ? news, commentary, analysis on free speech, press, religion, assembly, petition

Pope Francis Calls for Ending Tax-Exempt Status of Churches That Don't Help the Needy

them not paying taxes doesn't mean you are paying them. even if they did pay for them your taxes would stay the same or worse go up as
their property value would be huge.

then we can see you complain that your property taxes skyrocketed due to the church down the street.
lets not bash anyone's religion but then that is why you started the thread.

most church's act as charity organizations helping out the local community.
 
You might wanna read that 1st amendment again(for the first time), it doesn't say anything about separation of church and state

I would answer that but choose not to respond to sarcasm. Reword without the unnecessary sarcasm and I will answer.
 
them not paying taxes doesn't mean you are paying them. even if they did pay for them your taxes would stay the same or worse go up as
their property value would be huge.

then we can see you complain that your property taxes skyrocketed due to the church down the street.
lets not bash anyone's religion but then that is why you started the thread.

most church's act as charity organizations helping out the local community.

Most churches don't have to follow the IRS guidelines for charities, separate rule book.
 
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