As the tax filing deadline hits on Monday, it's worth remembering that there are a whole lot of people and organizations who won't have to file like you and me. On Friday, Bill Maher called out one of the largest categories of tax-exempt organizations. No, not corporations this time- religions, and this being Maher, the language is likely NSFW.
The "Forever 21" vs "Forever 33" line is quite strong, by the way.
Not surprisingly, this tax-free status for religious organizations can allow for abuses. With that in mind, here is John Oliver and Rachel Dratch announcing the end of the tax-free "Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption" (started from Oliver's epic segment last year on money-grubbing televangelists, and how they don't have to pay taxes on it). Our Lady got plenty of donations- both the monetary kind and, uh, in-kind. And yes, this segment becomes very NSFW.
So keep this tax-free status in mind as you see the creepiness of fundie Moms pulling kids out of school for Jesus lunches in Middleton. Then ask yourself why you're paying so much in taxes and getting so little political influence, while the religious organizations pay nothing, but seem to be getting a lot more than they deserve. This needs to be evened out on both fronts.
My biggest problem is that churches and other non-profits are not only exempted from income tax, but that they are also exempt from paying property taxes. It's a double dip, and it's unfair to local residents and other property owners.
ReplyDeleteAlso, here's a new website I thought you'd be interested in (I am not affiliated with it in any way):
http://www.teachinginwisconsin.com/