Senate Joint Resolution 2 – Senator Miller. Proposes an amendment to the state constitution to exempt buildings and personal property regularly used for religious worship from property taxation.
What’s the justification for this, again? Exempting do-good, non-profit organizations from taxation is plausible to me. Many churches fall into that category. But that’s not what this proposal does. It exempts property from taxation for the sole reason that the property is being used to do obeisance to a perceived higher power of some sort.
I’m not sure why this is being passed as an amendment. Churches have always been exempt from property tax as not-for-profit organizations. It seems that every six months or so, I hear that such status is about to be revoked. Perhaps it is out of that “fear” that this is being done.
Just let me add that if the not-for-profit status were taken away, many congregations would be in danger of closing. And the first place that congregations would have to turn to find the money to pay taxes would be in the area of ministering to the poor and needy.
I know our tax bill would be around $50,000-70,000/year. We would not survive such a bill.
I guess my point is that other philanthropic non-profits –religious or not– ought to be on the same tax footing. I’m sure most of them would be in bad shape if they had to contribute a full share of taxes.
Boy, I can’t wait for all the folks to claim they have their own churches at home so they can get around paying property tax.
Maybe Sen. Miller should just stick to protecting her medical interests.
Doug-I agree! United Way, etc. would be in tons of trouble!
But, if Sen. Miller’s amendment passes, I’m going with Joe’s plan — my home and office will become shrines to the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Happily, that gives us September 19th, International Talk Like A Pirate Day, as an extra holiday.
While still not sure what I would really prefer to see as to taxation (property, income, sales, etc. etc. ) for not for profits including churches and all the others, there is definitely a cost to all tax payers for this exempt status. As an excerise just check with the county assessor’s office as to how much property in your county is tax exempt. No matter how good their intent the reality is that all the taxpayers of that county are paying for this exempt status. In leiu of no tax status would consider a “service fee” as a legitimate alternative—police, roads, emergency response, etc. etc.. In my county between the various not for profits and then add in the government owned (local, state, federal) the total value and financial dealings and the sum is a major factor in the local economy. The local services and infrastructure they need/use are provided by the taxpayers. And yes, we have some of those “personal religious exemptions”. Whether I support their philosophy or not, I do end up through my taxes supporting their existence.
It’s definitely a judgment call though. These philanthropic organizations give a variety of good back to the community. Are they taking more than they give or vice versal? Pretty tough thing to measure. But it’s well worth keeping in mind that every exemption means a cost of some sort to others.
The question is, how much of the church property value is going to helping the poor, and how much is serving as a meeting place for religious expression? Obviously a large part of the church function is to serve as a location for shared religious experience, rather than simply helping the poor. It’s a place to go to feel better, more or less.
Some places where people go to feel better, more alive, or whatever, pay taxes. Bars, strip clubs, movie theaters, restaurants, etc., pay taxes. If they choose to help the poor in some way, they make tax-deductible donations. Some venues for such experiences, such as sports stadiums, probably don’t pay taxes–and in fact are often built with tax revenue.
So what we’re left with is, the government values religious expression and sports. And they’re picking our pockets to do it.
T- and I would say that there is good reason for bars and strip clubs to pay taxes. They typically are a drain on the police forces in town. I can only think of one time I called the police (for a burglary in the church). I’ve had a few funerals and weddings where I was fearful I might need to call the police. I have also called for an ambulance once; but the person who needed the ambulance (he had emphysema and was short of breath) ended up footing the bill. Sports venues are an odd bird, because the argument for their tax-exempt status is that people visiting the stadium will drop tax dollars in other ways (food at concession stand, hotel stays, eating at restaurants, shopping, etc.)