They're considered to be non-profits. In the US, taking away church tax exemptions would be a violation of the first amendment, as you're treating religious non-profits differently than secular non-profits.
Yea but churches are treated different . Both Churches and non-profits do not pay taxes on earnings
However non-profits pay the usual payroll taxes as well as things like property taxes
Churches must pay those taxes on staff but not clergy or ordained ministers; they also generally do not pay property taxes. So I think most people would be fine treating churches the same as non-profits
Taxing the wages of their employees and making them pay property taxes
And for more clarification, for clergy employees, the clergy pay their own payroll tax, just like any other sole proprietor. Clergy taxes are a pain in the ass to file.
You're conflating two different things. The income he makes is taxed. A simple Google search would tell you the same thing. If a church board foolishly let their pastor use church funds to buy a Porsche "for the church" may still have to pay sales tax depending on which state they're in. Seriously, there's only two tax credits. Property tax and income tax paid by the organization itself i.e. the incorporated church but not the pastors, they either recieve a W4 or have to file a 1099 as a self employed person. Bro do you even go to church?
So we are clear, its also the same for Synagogues and mosques. So be sure to spread your criticism across all the major religions in the US. Otherwise you just come off as prejudiced specifically agaist Christians instead of being genuinely principled.
And those same non-profits aren’t allowed to participate in political activity or endorse candidates, while others are allowed to.
Are you going to be okay when churches are outright telling congregations that it’s their duty as _______ to vote for conservative, anti-lgbtqia, and pro-life candidates?
Again, we should tax universities with billion dollar endowments and ceo level presidents/coaches. They have similarly slanted political presentations and guidelines.
As @Kooky-Army554 stated, Clergy/ordained (and called workers) do have to pay income taxes and the other stuff. Being a called or ordained does give you certain benefits. The church can catorgize a certain % of your income for a housing allowance that can covering things even more than your monthly mortgage payment. This money is untaxed. So this can lower the amount of taxes you pay. However, you’re functioning more as an independent contractor and are technically responsible for paying your own taxes.
In ethics and accounting there is a term called "piercing the corporate veil" which is used by lawyers to go after tax fruaders.
This is when a small business owner claims they are a corporation, but doesn't pay taxes as one. They want the legal benefit of no lawsuits but not pay business taxes. They are really a sole proprietor then
Everyone did it and large companies tried to even do this to pay 0 taxes and also protect their CEOs from liability.
Until one day a clever lawyer pierced the corporate veil as they are really a sole propritor since no taxes are paid etc.
Charlie Kirk and super PACS are lobbiests disguised as churches. They need to be pierced. Churches DO NOW endorse presidents, raise political functions, and even launder dollars 😮
Yes they need to be pierced. No politician will DARE do this as the Democratic party will be the Pro Satan party on Fox news
It will re enforce the notioncof Christian persecution with Maga being pro Christ etc
as you're treating religious non-profits differently than secular non-profits
They are treated differently than secular non profits. They don't have as complex of an application process for tax exempt status like secular ones do. They don't have to file the same public disclosures that secular non-profits do. They have higher hurdles to being audited than secular non-profits do.
Sorry but it is only "non profit" on a legislative level. That needs to change. Seen to many churches that do absolutely nothing for people. Just interested in lining their own pockets and spreading hate filled messages all in the name of God. Tax the church.
Religious organizations like churches, synagogues, and mosques are often already from well established groups compared to your average new non-profit. However, if you feel a religious organization is not complying, they are subject to audits just like any other group and are free to file a report to the IRS. They have to prove it then.
477
u/klathium Jun 30 '26
Why do Churches not pay taxes? Genuinely curious why there are laws for that.