SoftBonds -> RE: Anyone looking for a church to boycott? (3/2/2012 5:50:39 AM)
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ORIGINAL: DaddySatyr quote:
ORIGINAL: SoftBonds quote:
ORIGINAL: DaddySatyr Are you clear that you just wiped out most PACs? As discussed, earlier; most PACs are 527 organizations and enjoy tax-exempt status, as a result (check back two pages or so). Peace and comfort, Michael OK, let me re-phrase it. Tax-exempt means non-profit. There are several types of non-profit, but they fall into two main types. Political organizations (PAC's, etc.) are non-profits, but contributions are not tax deductible... Likewise, a lot of social organizations, organizations to promote a career field (the AICPA or the AITP). A completely different group are the folks who can get tax deductible contributions. Churches and Charities! These groups can get contributions that are not taxed because those contributions are perceived as being donated to the public welfare. A sort of "in kind," tax payment. Such payments are intended to support the poor, preachers (I know, but...), pay for church buildings and shelters for the poor, etc. Not for political speech. SO, the IRS will let you take payments to a church or charity off your taxes. But if the organization becomes a political organization, that STOPS. Clear as mud? Almost but, you didn't read the points I've already made. To answer yours, specifically: you don't think a church contributes money to a political campaign? They have their own PACs to do that. Otherwise, they'd be in violation of the law. Now, if you were to propose a law that any church that stated anything that was opposed to what the law is (or wants to move to be) ceases to be a church, you are well into violation of the first amendment. By "de"-establishing a church, you're "establishing" all the others (until you get around to going after them, too). Eventually, you're left with whatever the government will allow you to believe, a de facto "religion" whether it has an organization or not;absolutely a violation of the first amendment. Capice? Peace and comfort, Michael I think we are in agreement then. I was just pointing out the law of the land. I used to work at a CPA firm, and had to deal with the relevant code sections (we'd do pro-Bono tax documents for the non-profits, yes, they have to file tax forms to not pay taxes if they collect a certain amount of money). That and...I don't know if that is the case here, but I don't want people to think churches are completely free to do whatever. I can't just call my business a church to get out of paying taxes... So I am pointing out that the argument that churches cannot use church funds to pay for political advertising without losing their tax-deductible status is correct, whether it applies in this case or not.
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