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jhasp

(101 posts)

36. Depending on the location, church-owned buildings not used for religious worship are taxed in the US

Sun Oct 14, 2012, 09:32 AM

Oct 2012

I live in Wisconsin and our church pays $20k per year in property taxes for an empty building that we were given. We are required to pay the $20k until it is developed as a worship center. A Catholic church in the area was assessed property taxes on a gift shop on its property because it was being used for a commercial purpose. Note: the Catholic church was not happy about this and did argue against it.

Also, churches are non-profits and the issue with taxes and political speech is not whether the organization would pay taxes (PACs don't pay taxes because they are also non-profits), but whether the donors would be able to deduct their donations on their taxes because the church has 501c(3) status. I don't think that churches should receive 501c(3) status. However, I do think that they should be able to create 501c(3) organizations that focus purely on charitable works (providing shelter, food, healthcare, etc.).

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Catholic Church To Lose Historic Property Tax Exemption In Italy [View all] DeSwiss Oct 2012 OP

I wish something that rational would happen in the US. DURHAM D Oct 2012 #1

That alone would probably resolve the deficit. :-| n/t DeSwiss Oct 2012 #5

It very well could if certain pastors keep trying to challenge the IRS cstanleytech Oct 2012 #13

No one can say "holiday" tree without being accused of warring on Christmas, Jesus and Christendom. merrily Oct 2012 #20

In the US the tax system already excludes commercial property pnwmom Oct 2012 #25

Depends on what county/state you live in. DURHAM D Oct 2012 #33

There have been Federal SCOTUS rulings on this, so the state laws are in line. n/t pnwmom Oct 2012 #38

I agree...if you talk politics from the pulpit adigal Oct 2012 #31

You don't understand Yo_Mama Oct 2012 #48

That is just not true. DURHAM D Oct 2012 #50

Can you provide an example? Yo_Mama Oct 2012 #60

Exactly what we should do. No tax exemption williesgirl Oct 2012 #2

And to be able to sell church property for non-payment of taxes..... DeSwiss Oct 2012 #7

Do it here,baby! aquart Oct 2012 #3

And it's also one way to get Rmoney to pay taxes! DeSwiss Oct 2012 #8

We already have that system here. The new law in Italy applies pnwmom Oct 2012 #26

Where do you live that commercial properties DURHAM D Oct 2012 #34

It was settled by the SCOTUS long ago that the exemption doesn't apply to commercial properties. pnwmom Oct 2012 #37

That does not address commercial property DURHAM D Oct 2012 #39

Did you read the other part of the post? It addresses the issue of taxation of commercial use of the pnwmom Oct 2012 #43

It is an option. DURHAM D Oct 2012 #44

Can you show me the law that applies where you live? That applies exemptions to all properties pnwmom Oct 2012 #46

You are not listening or simply don't understand DURHAM D Oct 2012 #47

I do understand. I also know that you've claimed, without evidence, pnwmom Oct 2012 #53

There are constitutional issues with doing it Yo_Mama Oct 2012 #62

That's what I've been saying. Commercially used property gets taxed, pnwmom Oct 2012 #63

Since a lot of religious institutions are recieving tax dollars, they should pay. freshwest Oct 2012 #4

Of course they should! DeSwiss Oct 2012 #9

Italy! Of all places to tax the Roman Catholic Church..... Proletariatprincess Oct 2012 #6

Yes indeedy! DeSwiss Oct 2012 #10

There is so much irony in that story the Pope had to change his underwear after hearing the news davidpdx Oct 2012 #23

Yes, Yes, Yes defacto7 Oct 2012 #11

GREAT PIZZA EXCUSE!!! DeSwiss Oct 2012 #12

They already have too much say in government. Proletariatprincess Oct 2012 #15

Drip, drip... canuckledragger Oct 2012 #14

Shocking! Italy? Really? johnlucas Oct 2012 #16

It's about time spiderpig Oct 2012 #17

K&R idwiyo Oct 2012 #18

I've never understood how exempting churches complies with separation of church and state. SunSeeker Oct 2012 #19

Nuke the Vatican HankyDub Oct 2012 #21

K&R. Yes please! Overseas Oct 2012 #22

Imagine what this would do in the US if this happened here condoleeza Oct 2012 #24

I will gladly let them tax the churches here...Say, oh, a modest 10%? That way, they can pay for silvershadow Oct 2012 #27

For information purposes only... OnlinePoker Oct 2012 #28

It also gives new meaning to the phrase meow2u3 Oct 2012 #56

All Italians will also be taxed on their own residence too dipsydoodle Oct 2012 #29

Awesome news!! I hope there is a domino effect!!! hue Oct 2012 #30

R#44 & K for, may Zeus make it so EVERYWHERE!1 n/t UTUSN Oct 2012 #32

Whoa. Bout time. lonestarnot Oct 2012 #35

Depending on the location, church-owned buildings not used for religious worship are taxed in the US jhasp Oct 2012 #36

some are not going to like facts getting in the way of their blind hatred for all things religious leftyohiolib Oct 2012 #40

Wow. That should be enforced in the US, too. nt valerief Oct 2012 #41

Let's be the next country to tax churches!!! NC_Nurse Oct 2012 #42

Time for the US to follow, on ALL churches. joanbarnes Oct 2012 #45

Splendid idea. All those Mormon temples must have really high valuations! Coyotl Oct 2012 #49

+12 haikugal Oct 2012 #51

That is a start but what about Italy making the Vatican part of Italy again awake Oct 2012 #52

Actually it was the Lateran Treaty of 1929 signed between Mussolini and the Pope WilmywoodNCparalegal Oct 2012 #58

This is not surprising for us Italians WilmywoodNCparalegal Oct 2012 #59

Awesome! The Great Grifting Church finally has to chip in a bit. Arugula Latte Oct 2012 #54

k&r n/t RainDog Oct 2012 #55

Wow, In ITALY of all places?!? Odin2005 Oct 2012 #57

I can see how that would make a lot of people very happy. LanternWaste Oct 2012 #61