[wildandcrazyrussian]

Our church was never a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, which status requires sending in an application with (now) a $400 or $850 processing fee, then waiting up to 18 months for a decision. It would be the height of folly for a church ever to apply for such a restrictive status anyway. Did you know they have up to a 300% penalty for "self-dealing?" (essentially, taking money out by insiders without provable good cause).

It would be far better NOT to apply to the government (IRS) for their permission to be a non-profit that happens to be a church. Just be a Constitutionally-protected church.

[antidisestablishment]

Tax exempt status is not granted by 501c3 status; limited liability is. Churches are automatically tax exempt, but church leaders are personally liable for church activities (including tax liabilities). There are no restrictions on church speech unless the church puts themselves under the statutory obligations of incorporating.

This decision is much more onerous than most people understand and it should not be undertaken lightly. Why do churches accept the devil’s yoke? The leadership trades the protection of God for the protection of man—sons of their father Jacob.