I woder how how much revenue we could make if they paid their fair share?
I woder how how much revenue we could make if they paid their fair share?
Not a lot in the scheme of things. They probably should pay property tax as they do make use of city services but then the argument could be made that their members already pay property taxes so in effect it's paid for. Granted there are those who don't go to church and theoretically a part of their property taxes goes to make up for churches and non-profits who don't pay.
People who attend church can just put a bit extra in the collection plate to churches pay property tax. That's there choice, at this point I am not given a choice and must subsidize. It is unfair.
As a land owner in San Antonio who pays a substantial amount of $$ in property taxes, I am perplexed why I should subsidize religious organizations thru my property taxes. I live quite close to downtown, a location where there are many large Churches, some with pay as you go parking lots, childcare centers, and restaurants. These Churches sit on large lots with multiple buildings. and I for one feel like as a property tax payer my rights (separation of Church and State) are being violated by subsidizing there tax exempt status. Churches use local and community services, they should pay up like the rest of us. Opinions? Please lets not bash anyone religion, that's not the intent, a sane rational discussion of why the Federal government allows this free ride would be cool.
Tax exemptions | First Amendment Center ? news, commentary, analysis on free speech, press, religion, assembly, petition
Pope Francis Calls for Ending Tax-Exempt Status of Churches That Don't Help the Needy
People who attend church can just put a bit extra in the collection plate for churches pay property tax. That's there choice, at this point I am not given a choice and must subsidize. It is unfair.
Billions I should think, and they don't have to account for a dime. How do I get in this business?
As a land owner in San Antonio who pays a substantial amount of $$ in property taxes, I am perplexed why I should subsidize religious organizations thru my property taxes. I live quite close to downtown, a location where there are many large Churches, some with pay as you go parking lots, childcare centers, and restaurants. These Churches sit on large lots with multiple buildings. and I for one feel like as a property tax payer my rights (separation of Church and State) are being violated by subsidizing there tax exempt status. Churches use local and community services, they should pay up like the rest of us. Opinions? Please lets not bash anyone religion, that's not the intent, a sane rational discussion of why the Federal government allows this free ride would be cool.
Tax exemptions | First Amendment Center ? news, commentary, analysis on free speech, press, religion, assembly, petition
Pope Francis Calls for Ending Tax-Exempt Status of Churches That Don't Help the Needy
question?..... then why am i and others to subsidize people on welfare, and other government social programs.
I wont answer that one as it will steer the conversation off post. There are lots of other postings on this site in regards to government social programs, this thread concerns JUST Churches.
Sure, and homosexuals can just pay a little something say $10,000 a year for marriage licenses to help offset the subsidies paid for their AIDS epidemic, too. Yes, let's go with your 'reasoning'.
well its not so much the social programs, it anything of a subsidy, i was referring.
now i am not pointing at you,so don't take it that way...... " why do people say that there should not be subsidies on things they don't like, yet are for subsidies on things they do like"
I understand the concern and it is valid. But in the grand scheme of things, I got no problem just leaving the churches alone. For now.
We got bigger fish to fry. Very low hanging fruit.
I would be more worried about the Exxon, Walmart, and all of those other corporate welfare recipients than I would worry about some church exemption.
Think by Numbers » Government Spends More on Corporate Welfare Subsidies than Social Welfare Programs
Then why respond, its important to me and others? I don't judge what is important to others, do you?
That's the trouble with this country. People are more worried about terror cells than they are about cancer cells. Doing the numbers, a lot of people's prioritization of concerns don't really make sense.
As a gay man, I can honestly say, I don't find that offense, quite the opposite. It clearly shows your ignorance on the issue.
And what does that have to do with the taxation of churches? Nothing!!
Keep on topic
Then why bring it up?
We are discussing tax free status on churches
Not social programs, or the AIDS virus, jeesh
Did I hit a nerve? Certainly this has brought a few of the crazies out
Taxing religious organizations is not going to reduce your property taxes by any appreciable amount.
They're tax-exempt because your fellow citizens don't want to tax their houses of worship.
It's also a pretty old tradition, dating back to Constantine.
US law stipulates that churches that engage in political advocacy lose their tax-exempt status; though rarely enforced, this reinforces the separation of church and state. If tax exemptions are gone, churches will be free to endorse candidates and advocate political positions. And of course, they may get politically involved to regain their former tax-exempt status. There may be valid reasons to revoke the exemption, but "taxing churches will increase the separation of church and state" is not one of them.
Last but not least, they are non-profit organizations, which are generally tax-exempt.
As a land owner in San Antonio who pays a substantial amount of $$ in property taxes, I am perplexed why I should subsidize religious organizations thru my property taxes. I live quite close to downtown, a location where there are many large Churches, some with pay as you go parking lots, childcare centers, and restaurants. These Churches sit on large lots with multiple buildings. and I for one feel like as a property tax payer my rights (separation of Church and State) are being violated by subsidizing there tax exempt status. Churches use local and community services, they should pay up like the rest of us. Opinions? Please lets not bash anyone religion, that's not the intent, a sane rational discussion of why the Federal government allows this free ride would be cool.
Tax exemptions | First Amendment Center ? news, commentary, analysis on free speech, press, religion, assembly, petition
Pope Francis Calls for Ending Tax-Exempt Status of Churches That Don't Help the Needy
You might wanna read that 1st amendment again(for the first time), it doesn't say anything about separation of church and state
them not paying taxes doesn't mean you are paying them. even if they did pay for them your taxes would stay the same or worse go up as
their property value would be huge.
then we can see you complain that your property taxes skyrocketed due to the church down the street.
lets not bash anyone's religion but then that is why you started the thread.
most church's act as charity organizations helping out the local community.
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