IRS Warns Churches Against Campaiging

[nate]

http://tinyurl.com/z6ahz

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Internal Revenue Service has been warning churches and nonprofit organizations that improper campaigning in the upcoming political season could endanger their tax-exempt status.

In notices to more than 15,000 tax-exempt organizations, numerous church denominations and tax preparers, the agency has detailed its new enforcement program, called the Political Activity Compliance Initiative, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.

Under the initiative, the IRS plans to expedite investigations into claims of improper campaigning, no longer waiting for an annual tax return to be filed or the tax year to end before launching a probe. A three-member committee will make an initial review of complaints and then vote on whether to pursue the investigation in detail.

"While the vast majority of charities and churches do not engage in politicking, an increasing number did take part in prohibited activities in the 2004 election cycle," IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson said in a statement. "The rule against political campaign intervention by charities and churches is long established. We are stepping up our efforts to enforce it."


Ok, now where can we file a complaint?

[Jeff_Ricks]

http://tinyurl.com/z6ahz

Ok, now where can we file a complaint?I'd like to know what criteria the IRS uses to determine if a church has engaged in "prohibited activities." Anyone care to find out? It seems to me that the Church has crossed the line. If they have then let's file a complaint!

Jeff

[helemon]

I'd like to know what criteria the IRS uses to determine if a church has engaged in "prohibited activities." Anyone care to find out? It seems to me that the Church has crossed the line. If they have then let's file a complaint!

Jeff

The example given in the article had the preacher speak specifically about the candidates during his service and said that Jesus would not have approved of Bush's actions in Iraq. I think that is the line. They can encourage people to vote, they can tell them to vote for the candidate who most agrees with the churches teachings, but they can't say we want you to vote for x guy or we don't like y candidate.

[nate]

I'd like to know what criteria the IRS uses to determine if a church has engaged in "prohibited activities." Anyone care to find out? It seems to me that the Church has crossed the line. If they have then let's file a complaint!

Jeff

Government Restrictions on the Corporate Church
TITLE 26--INTERNAL REVENUE CODE

Sec. 501. Exemption from tax on corporations, certain trusts, etc.
(c) List of exempt organizations

(3) Corporations, and any community chest, fund, or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, or educational purposes, or to foster national or international amateur sports competition (but only if no part of its activities involve the provision of athletic facilities or equipment), or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals, no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual, no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation (except as otherwise provided in subsection (h)), and which does not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.

By law, the 501c3 church may not:

* preach propaganda
* influence legislation
* participate in political action
* endorse candidates
* oppose candidates
* publish or distribute political positions

http://tinyurl.com/zupcg

[helemon]

* preach propaganda

How do you distinguish between preaching propaganda and preaching? :duh

* influence legislation

Does that include the money they spent on trying to block the various gay marriage legislation?

* participate in political action

This needs elaboration.

* endorse candidates
* oppose candidates

They don't do this at least not explicitly they do it implicitly by saying vote for the person most like us and then publish their stance on homosexuality and abortion. It doesn't take a genius to figure out who they are endorsing.

* publish or distribute political positions

I think with most of these there is enough grey area for churches to get away with a lot! I also recall something about a % of their time cannot be spent on political issues. Something like less than 3%?


http://tinyurl.com/zupcg[/QUOTE]

[Jeff_Ricks]

How do you distinguish between preaching propaganda and preaching? :duh

Does that include the money they spent on trying to block the various gay marriage legislation?

This needs elaboration.

They don't do this at least not explicitly they do it implicitly by saying vote for the person most like us and then publish their stance on homosexuality and abortion. It doesn't take a genius to figure out who they are endorsing.

I think with most of these there is enough grey area for churches to get away with a lot! I also recall something about a % of their time cannot be spent on political issues. Something like less than 3%?


http://tinyurl.com/zupcgI think the church clearly is guilty of influencing legislation, on a number of issues throughout the years. Probably not enough to concern the IRS but hey, I say why not file a complaint anyway and let the IRS decide if it's enough. :) One the other hand, they're probably well aware of the Church's political meddlings.

Jeff

[helemon]

I think the church clearly is guilty of influencing legislation, on a number of issues throughout the years. Probably not enough to concern the IRS but hey, I say why not file a complaint anyway and let the IRS decide if it's enough. :) One the other hand, they're probably well aware of the Church's political meddlings.

Jeff
I think the church probably has a whole floor of tax lawyers advising them on these issues to make sure they don't cross the line. Their tax exempt status is not something they want to loose. From what I understand it was one of the major factors that led to blacks recieving the priesthood.

[Jeff_Ricks]

I think the church probably has a whole floor of tax lawyers advising them on these issues to make sure they don't cross the line. Their tax exempt status is not something they want to loose. From what I understand it was one of the major factors that led to blacks recieving the priesthood.Hmmm.... maybe if enough people complain to the IRS about the Church's stand and political influence regarding the "gay" issue then maybe we'll see Gordon announcing a new revelation soon! :D

Jeff

[helemon]

Hmmm.... maybe if enough people complain to the IRS about the Church's stand and political influence regarding the "gay" issue then maybe we'll see Gordon announcing a new revelation soon! :D

Jeff
I think it would be funniest to see BKP give that revelation! :D

[Born Free]

Hmmm.... maybe if enough people complain to the IRS about the Church's stand and political influence regarding the "gay" issue then maybe we'll see Gordon announcing a new revelation soon! :D

Jeff

We've heard heaps about Divine Revelation; I guess that would be Fiscal Revelation! :eek: :slap: :eek:

Daryl

[nate]

How do you distinguish between preaching propaganda and preaching? :duh

Good point. :D

Does that include the money they spent on trying to block the various gay marriage legislation?

It most definitely SHOULD...

I think with most of these there is enough grey area for churches to get away with a lot!

But I think you're probably right. Too much gray area, and way too much influence in the political arena to actually end up having the IRS seriously investigate them.

[Jeff_Ricks]

I think it would be funniest to see BKP give that revelation! :DOh yeah! That would be grand poetic justice!