Religion-Based Tax Breaks: Housing to Paychecks to Books

(this is total Bush Bull SHIT!!)

For tens of millions of Americans, the Rev. Rick Warren is best known for his blockbuster spiritual guide, “The Purpose Driven Life,” which has sold more than 25 million copies; his success as the founder of the 22,000-member Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif.; and his efforts on behalf of some of the world’s neediest people.

But for tens of thousands of ministers — and their financial advisers — Pastor Warren will also be remembered as their champion in a fight over the most valuable tax break available to ordained clergy members of all faiths: an exemption from federal taxes for most of the money they spend on housing, which typically represents roughly a third of their compensation. Pastor Warren argued that the tax break is essential to poorly paid clergy members who serve society.

The tax break is not available to the staff at secular nonprofit organizations whose scale and charitable aims compare to those of religious ministries like Pastor Warren’s church, or to poorly paid inner-city teachers and day care workers who also serve their communities.

The housing deduction is one of several tax breaks that leave extra money in the pockets of clergy members and their religious employers. Ministers of every faith are also exempt from income tax withholding and can opt out of Social Security. And every state but one exempts religious employers from paying state unemployment taxes — reducing the employers’ payroll expenses but also leaving their workers without unemployment benefits if they are laid off.

more...

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/11/business/11religious.html?_r=1&th=&oref=slogin&emc=th&pagewanted=print

Just think of all the bombs that new money could build.

All we need to do is give tax breaks to organizations that are charitable, whether they are secular or not. This will cover your good local church, your good secular charity, and will force out the mega-corporations that are hiding behind religious banners.

Pastor Warren argued that the tax break is essential to poorly paid clergy members who serve society.


Poorly paid? When I was last an active member of a church (circa 1992) the pastor made $35,000 a year. I can only imagine what he makes now, tax free.


I currently work two full time jobs seven days a week and don't gross that much.

add back in what you pay for utilities and housing..and the federal withholding ..and fica...

and while you're at it, make your wife an "employee and fellow minister"....retain all the taxes on her "salary"..

now .... beg every sunday and claim poverty...skim off the top of the collections..


rinse & repeat..

is it any wonder why so many storefront ministries crop up everywhere..

The truth is that if the people supporting these ministries financially had the same set-up, perhaps they could enjoy life more, and not "need" the counsel and comfort of the ministry
:puke:

I'm definitely voting "no".

Join me as an ordained minister in the Universal Life Church. It's free, and now it looks as if it might be worth a helluva lot in tax breaks.

http://www.ulc.net/index.php?page=ordain&PHPSESSID=1aac5d60867119776cd2004ffc14fac1