Taxing Religions

[pure_agnostic]

Religious organizations in the US get a free ride when it comes to paying taxes. Both directly and indirectly. (Red numbers indicate estimated amount lost to local, state, and federal governments in 2011. I don't have reliable estimates for entries without numbers.)

• They don't pay federal income taxes. $35.3 billion lost.
• They don't pay state income

Comments

[alyoshas_world]

Do these same organizations provide any benefit to the state, or does the stare just give them this free money out of the government's generous hearts?

[the_rukh]

It depends but some do charity work, I could see the specific charity work being written off, some do quite a bit. The ones soaking already fairly poor people so the preachers can drive around in platinum limos might have a hard time justifying it though.

[alyoshas_world]

What about schools, hospitals, etc.? Do these add any benefit to the state?

[pure_agnostic]

I'd say schools and hospitals do provide benefit to the public. Many of which are run by religions and receive taxpayer funds.

However, many religious based schools and hospitals implement policies aligned with religious dogmas. (e.g. - No contraception or abortions provided at those hospitals even for nonreligious patients. All students at the school must attend religious services even though they don't practice that particular religion. etc...) Which basically means these schools and hospitals use taxpayer funds to enforce religious doctrines on those who don't practice their religions.