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This is a must watch video. The question is; should Government be allowed to tax churches? In this piece, the State of AZ ruled they did not have to pay taxes but, La Paz County is still moving forward with a $50,000 tax lien. ADF has now filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Church.
Click on the link for more on the story. Quartzsite Story
Enjoy
Tom
Tags: Church of the Isaiah 58 Project, Erik Stanley, Pastor Mike Hobby, Quartzsite Arizona
Posted by Tom Brown on March 21st, 2011 under Video
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Posted by Tom Brown on March 21st, 2011 under Video
RSS 2.0 | Respond | Trackback
Personally, I think all churches should be taxed. One of the newer religions here bought their second church, a former Saab dealership, property sold for $2 million, then there was all the changes they had to make to the building. The town has lost tax revenue on a $2 million piece of property, a rather hefty loss. Why not let religion pay their fair share of taxes on property? They already don’t pay taxes on earnings so why not on the property? If they can afford to purchase a $2 million property, they should be able to pay tax on it. That’s a high price for property here, unlike California where property values are so high.
I’m kinda on the fence about this one. I think that what that church is doing,helping with feeding & clothing the poor & needy is a wonderful thing. BUT,on the other hand I do have to agree that they should pay some type of tax. Mind you,not go after them with that much & put any liens on them,but tax them with certain guidelines (so that it makes it fair but yet not empty their budget). Homeless shelters,half way houses pay taxes? What about thrift stores,soup kitchens?
Where I live,they just remodeled my church (Catholic one) – inside & out. The outside has brand new landscaping & a fence (which I’m sure was not cheap). Then the inside got totally done over – they even went as far as ordering/shipping an Italian organ from Italy that cost “the church” $50,000.00. Now,that’s way over the limit. There was no need for that. I’m not saying that churches are wealthy,but a lot of people would be shocked & surprised at how much they rake in for services,functions,donations.
So,I guess I’m siding that if the churches have extra money to spend on certain items like that,then they should have a little bit of money to give for taxes (even if it were to contribute a small figure).