IRS raids business, home of creationist (Dr. Dino)

Pensacola New-Journal ^ | 17 April 2004 | Bret Norman

[balrog666]

Internal Revenue Service agents are investigating a Pensacola man who operates a creationist theme park and museum off Old Palafox Road and who they say is evading taxes on more than $1 million in income.

This week, federal IRS agents raided the home and businesses of Kent Hovind, 51, in the first block of Cummings Road, confiscating all computer and paper records of financial activity since January 1997.

[balrog666]

Don't these guys believe any laws apply to them?

[balrog666]

Thought-this-might-interest-you ping.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

"We had a problem with your tax return..."

[steplock]

"Don't these guys believe any laws apply to them?"

You WERE refering to the IRS weren't you?

[Cicero]

The IRS can do anything they damn well please, and nothing will happen. Every administrative bureaucrat, congresscritter, enforcement officer, and judge in the country is paid with tax dollars. This is their bread and butter. They are not about to undermine the sources of their salaries.

[unixfox]

This means absolutely NOTHING to these un-americans.

4th Amendment

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated; and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized.

But hey, this is an old document and it doesn't mean anything anymore.

[DannyTN]

"Don't these guys believe any laws apply to them?"

It sounds like Hovind may very well be in the clear on the IRS issues if he has properly followed procedures for churches and charitable organizations.

But the building permit issue is just stupid. Building permits exist for good reason and churches should not be exempt.

If this article is true, Hovind is going to let his work as a Creationist suffer a huge credibility blow over a $20-$200 building permit. And that's just stupid!!!

[Kerberos]

"Hovind, who has not been charged, suspects he is being targeted because of his religious beliefs. "

Oh no, here we go already with the "Their persecuting me because I am a Christian," whine. Hey budrow, pay your taxes like everybody else have too, then no one will bother you when you peddle your tripe.

[Zeroisanumber]

"They don't understand how the church is created and registered, how it operates under church law, which is entirely separate from secular authorities."

Ohhhh... GOD told you not to pay taxes! I get it now.

[PatrickHenry]

PING. [This list is for the evolution side of evolution threads, and some other science topics like cosmology. Long-time list members get all pings, but can request evo-only status. New additions will be evo-only, but can request all pings. FReepmail me to be added or dropped. Specify all pings or you'll get evo-pings only.]

[MattAMiller]

The article mentions that they obtained a search warrant you know.

[SoCal Pubbie]

Maybe the guy just thought the IRS had become extinct, or that maybe we've evolved beyond the need for income taxes?

[In_25_words_or_less]

Sounds like a tax raid about taxes, not beliefs.

But the Pensacola area is loaded with tightly-wound, high-strung churches that are sure to blow fuses at word of this. And the Pensacola News-Journal seems to have written the story just for them.

[AdmSmith]

Being a creationist, he is just using creative bookkeeping

[PropheticZero]

NO. When I as a christian donate my money to my church, I'm donating money thats already been taxed. They aren't avoiding anything.

Allowing taxation of religions opens the door for government regulation of religion.

How many churches would get shut down if they were taxed at the percentages we are being taxed at.....what if they kept to the same logic and decided if they have all this money they aught to pay more.

[nuconvert]

Lol.
I'd like to see pictures of this theme park and "Dino Adventure Land".
Sounds religious to me!
W I L M A !!!

[nuconvert]

dino pong

[PatrickHenry]

Even a church, if that's what Hovind is operating, is taxable on its "unrelated" income. For example, if a church owns and operates a carwash next door, that is a taxable enterprise. I believe the same thing applies to a preacher's book sales, theme park income, etc., and -- although we have very little information to go on -- that may be Hovind's problem here.

[ovrtaxt]

Don't these guys believe any laws apply to them?

Are you kidding? The IRS has operated above the law since it's inception.

The fairtax bill, HR25, abolishes the IRS and the income tax. It has almost 50 cosponsors in the House, including Delay and Hastert. www.fairtax.org

[nuconvert]

This is in Pensacola....fun for all ages!

http://www.dinosauradventureland.com/dal2.asp?pg=rides&specific=9