IRS warns churches to avoid campaigning

[cal04]

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."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060718/ap_on_el_ge/ca_irs_churches

[Tyler Durden]

1. ABOUT FUCKING TIME.

When I was marooned in Houston, Fundie churches all over the citie WALLPAPERED themselves in rePuke posters and fliers.

Now let's go get DOBSON too!

[The Backlash Cometh]

31. I second that emotion.

[meegbear]

2. Hear that Pat and Jerry?

As your pal Tom Delay would say "Fermez la bouche".

[tsuki]

3. Only applies to libr'ul churches. nt

[hvn_nbr_2]

16. Exactly. nt

[formercia]

20. Now that the tide has turned

selective enforcement on the march.

[megatherium]

26. oddly enough the freepers are convinced this is targeted at

them. I dropped by freeperville to see what the inmates were saying about the war, and I noticed this story. They're sore because the librul black churches flagrantly disregard IRS rules, or so they were saying. They think this IRS rule is a restriction on the freedom of speech of churches.

[ThomCat]

30. Of course! There were no warnings the churches

were lining up behind the reich wing. But let's see one sermon about peace or economic justice and the IRS will be all over it.

[partylessinOhio]

4. Well, ain't that the pot calling the kettle black!

It's all more smoke and mirrors.

If any church loses it's tax-exempt status, it will surely be very "selectively" applied to only churches not considered Fristian.

[ixion]

5. which means that a vast majority of the so-called mega-churches, and

many of the generalized main stream xian chruches ought to lose their funding.

I was in a wedding for a friend a while back, and the minister had 'W' paraphenalia all over his office and his car, and even wore the little flag on his lapel.

Should this church lose it's tax-exempt status? IMO, it's a big YES. :grr:

[AnOhioan]

6. I will believe it when I see it n/t

[DoYouEverWonder]

7. I'm sure thye'll only go after the Black Churches

and folks like Robertson and Falwell will have little to worry about.

[mom cat]

8. You beat me to it! ... I was just thinking that.

[Lowell]

9. I don't understand why churches are tax exempt

in the first place. The only way to honestly apply this is to simply tax them all. They are money driven machines anyway.

[melm00se]

11. just a guess

but perhaps it is because a portion of the money donated is used for charitable works and education, both worthy causes and ones most likely hit 1st if the their not for profit status were to be eliminated.

[doubleplusgood]

13. bingo !

Churches (Morality Watchers) should be treated just the same as Weight Watchers or any other business that purports to provide some sort of public "benefit".

[Lochloosa]

17. Seperation of Church and State and to qualify for 501(c)(3) status

Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity. Violation of this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise tax.

As the NRA says: enforce the laws on the books!

[Pacifist Patriot]

18. Money driven machines?

The small church is still in the majority of churches. I could see your argument in terms of mega-churches that are run like corporations, but that's not where most people go to church. And then it becomes a dicey line. Our tax-exempt status is probably the only thing keeping our doors open right now. If we had to pay taxes we wouldn't be around to provide the services we do. I hate being in that position but that's the reality we face.

[Vincardog]

28. Because of the 1st Amendment.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

[woodsprite]

10. Does this mean our politicians will finally stop preaching too? n/t

[tinfoilinfor2005]

12. Maybe we could help out the IRS with a few pictures taken before

the next elections. Our local Baptist church was poster heavy in 2004 and involved in taking down dem signs along the highway. From now on I might make a point of getting evidence and passing it on to the overworked IRS. Just doing my civic duty! :)

[GOTV]

14. Ken Blackwell...

... has a whole network of what are called "patriot pastors" working to get him elected. Is the IRS open to pointers to possible violators from indivicual citizens?

[Hawkowl]

19. Reward

The IRS does offer cash rewards to people who provide leads to tax evaders.

[tabasco]

15. I'm sure the Bush cabal will get right on it

when Preacher Bob tells the flock about the godless lib'ruls and how they have to vote republican or go to hell.

They probably will crack own on the churches preaching peace. We just can't have Christians believing in peace when we all know Jesus was a crack commando who taught "Kill 'em all - let God sort 'em out!!"

[me9399]

25. I read this somewhere (forgot what it was)

that at some of these megachurches that the members are being told to vote republican or risk being banned from attending that particular church.

[goforit]

21. Get your cameras out folks, time to catch them in action.

[City Lights]

22. Three cheers!

:toast:

What took so long?

[dbackjon]

23. Are they going to go after the Mormons and Catholics and Southern Baptists

As a whole, since all three are actively campaigning for anti-gay marriage amendments.

[megatherium]

27. No. The IRS rules cover partisan politics, and in theory

the anti-gay marriage effort is not partisan. Of course, the reality is that it is partisan--the Republicans are promoting this issue in hopes of getting their fundamentalist base out to vote. (In 2004, the local evangelical megachurch where I live put billboards everywhere saying "God's plan for marriage one man one woman", and their October sermon series that year was on marriage. They were obviously cooperating with the Republicans, who had put a ballot measure for a constitutional amendment there to ban same-sex marriage. The thing passed 75%-25% and a very close Senate race went Republican. As Jesus might have said, they already have their reward.)

[Patiod]

24. Insert DEMOCRATIC before the word "campaigning"

This is not going to be used to enforce rules against any campaigning on behalf of Republicans, mark my words

[mtnester]

29. Oh, and since the contractor for the IRS screwed up the ability to flag

for bogus refunds ANY returns from last year, I am thinking the IRS needs the dough, and the deeper the pocket the better...as in MEGA churches.

Look out Rodney and Russell...they be coming for YOU here in Ohio! And I HOPE I am able to stand in your yards and WATCH when they do, cause I know where both of ya live. Drive by one of them EVERY day.

[genieroze]

32. Hallelujah