GainesvilleMoms.com

I was just going over the post about gas prices and University tax breaks and decided to broach another more sensitive topic. I've heard that churches do not pay taxes on their property and buildings. Now I'm all about supporting the church as an asset to the community and individual. However, have you seen how many churches there are in Gainesville? There is a church in town that owns acreage on 24th AND over 200 acres right on Newberry Road!!! Who do you think makes up for this break and is this fair?

You got a problem with that church that owns all that land?

I do think this is a very fair question. I'm not yet in Gainesville, so I won't comment on any particular church. I will say however that there are churches in my area that have huge congregations and bring in plenty of money. Now yes, I realize this money is typically intended to be used for mission trips, the upkeep of the church etc. etc., but maybe there is middle ground. Maybe churches making a "profit" of a certain amount or more could be taxed. I definitely don't think one solution would make everyone happy.

In Indiana, it's the Amish that are the most controversial. There's a town not too far from me called Shipshewana. It's basically run by the Amish. Most of the businesses are either Amish owned or Amish run. I can't even imagine what some of those people are raking in. Mostly the business owners. But guess what? Amish don't have to pay taxes. Is that right?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mary Reichardt:
I've heard that churches do not pay taxes on their property and buildings.

Please read the following. Every stat you will EVER find on who's giving will show the very same thing; churches give more to charity (to help the local, state, etc communities) than any foundation, charity, group, etc. Without churches, your taxes would be so high many of us would be on the street! Heck, even the Red Cross couldn't operate without the shelter for volunteers and food (provided by churches)!


http://www.american.com/archive/2008/march-april-magazi...s/a-nation-of-givers

If taxes are a worry, perhaps we should not continue to vote for our current politicians who think raising taxes (constantly) actually HELPS the working poor! Thriving businesses help an economy. Areas with the highest business taxes ALWAYS have the worst economies. There is study after study showing the same thing.

http://www.heartland.org/Article.cfm?artId=20233

Check out the Fair Tax book. I doubt this (among other tax issues) would ever even bother you if we were to go to the fair tax....

ok, since someone else brought up the tax exempt status of most churches, is everyone aware that one of the requirements for a church to receive the tax exempt status is for them to stay out of politics? there is legal language detailing it all but i know from my church's standpoint, noone can instruct us how to vote, the church cannot be used for rally's or in any way that suggests we support one particular candidate or party. we can present voters with documents detailing how candidates have voted in the past but it has to be fair and across the board.

so that being said, can anyone explain to me how a candidate himself can present the morning message to a congregation on Father's Day? Doesn't that cross the line somehow? How can churches allow a man like Rev. Wright to preach like he does and still maintain their tax exempt status? i remember Bill Clinton speaking in a church in Harlem during the last Presidential election, many of his comments were in direct support of John Kerry.

don't get me wrong, i believe churches provide more back to communities and deserve whatever tax breaks we can offer, but i believe everyone should have to play by the rules.

I agree softball mom. I certainly did not say anything negative about any church in particular...just simply stated a fact and asked a question to get the opinions of others. I love my church and am proud of the fact that it gives nearly %40 of its income to charity. However, I know that many churches are million dollar industries and am just curious as to what the common stand is on these tax breaks. Thank you for all your passionate and informed comments.

Mary,
Thank you for posing the question. It is something that we should all think about. I was glad to hear so many opinions on this one.

quote:

Originally posted by Mary Reichardt:
I agree softball mom. I certainly did not say anything negative about any church in particular...just simply stated a fact and asked a question to get the opinions of others. I love my church and am proud of the fact that it gives nearly %40 of its income to charity. However, I know that many churches are million dollar industries and am just curious as to what the common stand is on these tax breaks. Thank you for all your passionate and informed comments.

When someone ends a sentence with THREE exclamation points, it tells me they feel passionate about their statement (good or bad). The initial question had a negative tone, in my opinion. I'm an equally passionate person, hence my question.