US: Should churches be taxed?

[Shu]

Yeah, that makes sense. That would have been the only issue I would have, is if employees of the churches aren't taxed on their annual income.

So I guess my next question would be, what exactly are we wanting to have taxed? Weekly tithes? Donations from wills? Monetary gifts? I don't think any of those should be taxed. Those are people willingly donating their money to the church.

I was referring to property taxes. They are considered a non profit organization. Due to they are not selling retail, or normal commercialized goods they are considered non profit.

If you are a home owner, you pay taxes. If you are a small business owner you pay taxes, due to the real estate. (land) - Though churches are exempt in this regard, which to me is a little strange.

 

[CassinoChips]

I was referring to property taxes. They are considered a non profit organization. Due to they are not selling retail, or normal commercialized goods they are considered non profit.

If you are a home owner, you pay taxes. If you are a small business owner you pay taxes, due to the real estate. (land) - Though churches are exempt in this regard, which to me is a little strange.

Ah, yeah, I can see your point there. I don't know that I would agree with an equal tax rate to home ownership, but I can see the argument with those mega-churches, where they are reinvesting money into the structure itself and upping the value of the property through the use of other people's money. Maybe a separate property tax bracket for religious structures.

 

[ribbit]

The Catholic church that I used to go to was very small and I'm fairly certain it got by mostly on donations. Though I don't know (nor did I really care) much about any behind the scenes stuff or if they got money elsewhere. I think it really depends on where the main source of income is coming from for each church.