I really don’t think the loss of the exemption is a big deal...
First of all, more than half of the population files a short form and can’t get a tax right off anyway. As far as property tax is concerned, that’s a state issue. As far as income taxes are concerned, most churches don’t make a profit... If they do they should not be exempt anyway.
Most churches are kept alive by big donors..not the small ones. The lack of a deduction for contributions will be a big issue.
losing the federal tax exemption makes tithing more expensive.
but the real killer will be property taxes.
church properties in expensive real estate markets can be worth millions or tens of millions of dollars.
if “discriminatory” churches are subject to the highest commercial property tax rate, they will all lose their buildings in short order.
Just because property taxes are a state issue doesn’t mean they won’t have to pay them if they lose tax exempt status. Even small churches are often sitting on prime, otherwise commercial property and have very valuable buildings. The taxes would be crushing.
I guess the government can then PAY for the use of the facilities as polling places. Regardless, this is a shockingly horrible thing to do. Obama is a very bad person and unworthy of his office.
There is something not right about pastors being driven around in limos and living in huge mansions but this is what not paying any taxes can do.
Imagine the lifestyle every American could have were they "tax exempt" like churches !
That’s not the deal, the deal is to apply extra taxes to churches for being “immoral” in the eyes of the government. Is it survivable? Without a doubt to me, it is.
Church property will be taxed at “best use” level, thus the chruch will pay the same property tax as if it were a 100 story office building or a sprawling shopping mall, etc. and be forced to sell.
I agree. I would rather be free from oversight than tax exempt. I would imagine, though, that it would affect the pastor’s salary and benefits. They are able to opt out of social security and have a tax free housing allowance (or parsonage) as a part of their salary. Pretty nice deals if you can get them.