Churches make the voluntary decision when they apply for tax-exempt status. I don't like this policy, but it is what it is.
If their attendees wish to tithe sufficiently to support paying taxes then more power to them. But if a Church wishes to remain a tax-exepmt entity they have to comply with the rules.
Now if only an IRS agent will follow Jesse Jackson around during an election cycle and start yanking exemptions in liberal Churches......
L
If you make choice A and pay no taxes and you make choice B and pay taxes, I just don't see it as a free choice.
I bet most people don't know that any minister can claim every thing he puts into his home as a deduction - such as grass for the yard, any improvement (paint flooring etc) before he has to pay taxes on his income - something the average taxpayer isn't allowed to do. I believe this rule from IRS came about from the time when ministers income was very very low and they lived in parsonages. Now they make just as much money as most people. For instance, in the 5,000 +/- town where we live, the Baptist minister makes $50,000 plus benefits (car, house allowance)