2017 Tax Bill Has Churches Start Paying Some Taxes

[Revoltingest]

https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/article215653425.html

Tucked away in the new tax law congressional Republicans passed late last year with no Democratic support is a provision slapping certain nonprofits and charities, including houses of worship, with a 21 percent tax on the value of some employee benefits.

The expectation is the tax would relate to parking spaces and public transit passes. But those affected by the provision are genuinely unsure what exactly would qualify as a taxable expense because they still haven’t received official guidance from the Treasury Department.

“It has a fairly narrow impact in America, and it is about treating a nonprofit hospital the same way you treat a for-profit hospital, making sure the Gates Foundation or some other doesn’t have an advantage over a private sector business when competing for workers,” he said.

“People call it a tax on churches and charities. There is no tax on churches and charities,” said Rep. Tom Rice, R-South Carolina. “What we’ve said is, ‘We’re trying to make things fair across the board. So organizations — all organizations, for-profit, nonprofit, everybody that gives their employees free stuff, we’re trying to make it equal.’”

Some complain that complying with paying taxes is too complicated for churches.
It's difficult & expensive to handle the procedures.

The new tax on the value of employee benefits means that many institutions are going to have to prepare tax forms for the very first time — a convoluted and potentially costly exercise.

“Most churches do not have the sophistication that’s necessary to deal with the tax code,” Clyburn told McClatchy. “Small churches that exist in communities I represent … don’t operate as businesses. They’ve never operated as businesses.”

Poor babies!
Welcome to the world the rest of us live in..

This is a good change.
Let's hope that it survives the next election cycle.

 

[BSM1]

Just a side note: as a contractor in the state I live in the State was constantly trying to decide what we should tax when working with churches. This was difficult because anything associate with the church service was non-taxable. It became such a mess that the state finally just threw it's metaphoric hands up and told us, "if it's not hidden in a wall don't tax it!". It was the only time I laughed in my third state audit, btw.

 

[Father Heathen]

I'm surprised that this is coming from republicans, given their hatred of taxes and love of churches.

 

[fantome profane]

Just a side note: as a contractor in the state I live in the State was constantly trying to decide what we should tax when working with churches. This was difficult because anything associate with the church service was non-taxable. It became such a mess that the state finally just threw it's metaphoric hands up and told us, "if it's not hidden in a wall don't tax it!". It was the only time I laughed in my third state audit, btw.

Does that mean you tax the pipes but not the sink?

Weird.

 

[BSM1]

I'm surprised that this is coming from republicans, given their hatred of taxes and love of churches.

The idea that we can possibly be wrong is definitely an eye opener....just sayin'.

 

[BSM1]

Does that mean you tax the pipes but not the sink?

Weird.

Yep. In my case it was security systems. All I was required to tax was the hidden wiring.

 

[Revoltingest]

Yep. In my case it was security systems. All I was required to tax was the hidden wiring.

Sales tax?

 

[Quetzal]

Long time coming, I am in support of this.

 

[BSM1]

Sales tax?

Yep.

 

[tytlyf]

I'm surprised that this is coming from republicans, given their hatred of taxes and love of churches.

Republicans didn't know it was in the bill. They already want to appeal it. Even though the taxes are very minimal and only affect a small % of non-profits. (this is more than churches).

Don't worry, republicans will make sure their evangelical base doesn't get upset.

Good move, wrong party.

 

[Father Heathen]

Republicans didn't know it was in the bill. They already want to appeal it. Even though the taxes are very minimal and only affect a small % of non-profits. (this is more than churches).

Don't worry, republicans will make sure their evangelical base doesn't get upset.

Good move, wrong party.

I think the more sane fiscal conservatives should distance themselves from their kooky evangelical counterparts. Doing away with superstitious bigotry and scientific illiteracy would definitely benefit them in the long run.

But I agree; the taxation of churches is long overdue, especially considering their tendancy to meddle in politics.

 

[TheBannerofHomuraAkemi]

This is pretty Ironic don't you think?

 

[tytlyf]

But I agree; the taxation of churches is long overdue, especially considering their tendancy to meddle in politics.

We need to tax these organizations because a lot of non-profits have become tax shelters for the wealthy and those 'in the know' when it comes to evading taxes on their wealth.

Since the system has been corrupted, institute the taxes. Possibly down the road when the corruption ceases, then we can talk about dropping the rates.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I'm surprised that this is coming from republicans, given their hatred of taxes and love of churches.

It's an assault on workers, so I can't say it surprises me. In all the ways they could have taxed churches, they went after what specifically benefits workers, so they have to "compete" with private sector jobs. God forbid anyone take care of their employees. I'm surprised they didn't add in a provision to ban any sort of collective bargaining for non-profit employees.

We need to tax these organizations because a lot of non-profits have become tax shelters for the wealthy and those 'in the know' when it comes to evading taxes on their wealth.

Sure, some of them need to be taxed, but it seems to be a tax on giving your employees benefits.

 

[Phantasman]

https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/article215653425.html







Some complain that complying with paying taxes is too complicated for churches.
It's difficult & expensive to handle the procedures.

Poor babies!
Welcome to the world the rest of us live in..

This is a good change.
Let's hope that it survives the next election cycle.

If the church gets involved in political views, they should be taxed.

 

[Riders]

Is this Trumps doing?If so I cant believe I'm saying this but Trump finally did something right. My goodness a good change! But how will this affect Christians and the Christian vote, Trump should be careful with that.

 

[Ellen Brown]

https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/article215653425.html







Some complain that complying with paying taxes is too complicated for churches.
It's difficult & expensive to handle the procedures.

Poor babies!
Welcome to the world the rest of us live in..

This is a good change.
Let's hope that it survives the next election cycle.

Sometimes, in frustration, it seems like all religions should have their assets taxed. Perhaps that would end a lot of the debate about who they let in?

 

[Revoltingest]

This is pretty Ironic don't you think?

Ironic, no.
Fiscally responsible, yes.

 

[Revoltingest]

Sometimes, in frustration, it seems like all religions should have their assets taxed. Perhaps that would end a lot of the debate about who they let in?

Aye, let them pay property taxes like the rest of us.

 

[Shad]

Fine by me.