Should churches pay taxes?

[billwald]

>>The profits in large non-profits are usually distributed to employees and executives in excess pay and benefits.

>Can you provide a link for those stats - would love to see the info

Took a course in insurance principles at Clarkson University nee College. The prof made the point that non-profits are inherently less productive (higher labor costs) as evidenced that the for profits still exist. Say Ford was a non-profit and GM was a c-corp. Which company would you expect to have lower prices for goods and services?

In Seattle SAFECO (stock company) and PEMCO (mutual company) sell almost exactly the same products at about the same price and have been doing so for many years. Both are local companies. One would expect PEMCO to consistently undersell SAFECO. Same with credit unions and savings banks.

 

[billwald]

>In the IRS’ own words a church “is automatically tax-deductible.”
Churches Have a Mandatory Exception To Filing Tax Returns

OK, The CHURCH doesn't file a tax return but the members do. Only donations to 401c(3) churches are deductible. Anyone want their entire congregation to get audited for unauthorized deductions? If your members don't care then the church should not care. It would cost me a couple of grand a year if I lost that deduction.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

We charge for membership in my association, and we sell merchandise. We do not take donations, so the money supporting us has already all been taxed.

 

[Magnetic Poles]

If churches are connected to public water & sewage, receive public police & fire protection, then they should pay like every other entity. Simple. Render unto Caesar, said Jesus. Few actually heed his words.

 

[Alcott]

Simple. Render unto Caesar, said Jesus. Few actually heed his words.

Like you. The taxes had been assessed-- they owed them. Churches in the USA have not had taxes assessed-- they don't owe them.

 

[mandym]

If churches are connected to public water & sewage, receive public police & fire protection, then they should pay like every other entity. Simple. Render unto Caesar, said Jesus. Few actually heed his words.

You have taken scripture out of context. It most certainly does not apply in this scenario. The government gives the exemption therefore there is no Caesar to give to.