Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Yo_Mama

(8,303 posts)
62. There are constitutional issues with doing it
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 02:00 PM
Oct 2012

The law here is pretty well understood and pretty broadly applied.

Local taxing authorities can give exemptions on commercial property, but they normally do so to attract businesses in. In other words, they give an exemption for five or ten years (or a lower tax rate) in order to get a convention center built, or a business complex built, or move in a factory.

That's the use of local tax exemptions with which I am familiar. It's possible that some such arrangement could be made with a non-profit, but they rarely have enough money to make it worthwhile for the locality.

Technically, if a local tax authority were to decide to exempt commercial use property from taxation if it were owned by a church on a wholesale basis, it would be unconstitutional, and a suit would remove the exemption.

I wish something that rational would happen in the US. DURHAM D Oct 2012 #1
That alone would probably resolve the deficit. :-| n/t DeSwiss Oct 2012 #5
It very well could if certain pastors keep trying to challenge the IRS cstanleytech Oct 2012 #13
No one can say "holiday" tree without being accused of warring on Christmas, Jesus and Christendom. merrily Oct 2012 #20
In the US the tax system already excludes commercial property pnwmom Oct 2012 #25
Depends on what county/state you live in. DURHAM D Oct 2012 #33
There have been Federal SCOTUS rulings on this, so the state laws are in line. n/t pnwmom Oct 2012 #38
I agree...if you talk politics from the pulpit adigal Oct 2012 #31
You don't understand Yo_Mama Oct 2012 #48
That is just not true. DURHAM D Oct 2012 #50
Can you provide an example? Yo_Mama Oct 2012 #60
Exactly what we should do. No tax exemption williesgirl Oct 2012 #2
And to be able to sell church property for non-payment of taxes..... DeSwiss Oct 2012 #7
Do it here,baby! aquart Oct 2012 #3
And it's also one way to get Rmoney to pay taxes! DeSwiss Oct 2012 #8
We already have that system here. The new law in Italy applies pnwmom Oct 2012 #26
Where do you live that commercial properties DURHAM D Oct 2012 #34
It was settled by the SCOTUS long ago that the exemption doesn't apply to commercial properties. pnwmom Oct 2012 #37
That does not address commercial property DURHAM D Oct 2012 #39
Did you read the other part of the post? It addresses the issue of taxation of commercial use of the pnwmom Oct 2012 #43
It is an option. DURHAM D Oct 2012 #44
Can you show me the law that applies where you live? That applies exemptions to all properties pnwmom Oct 2012 #46
You are not listening or simply don't understand DURHAM D Oct 2012 #47
I do understand. I also know that you've claimed, without evidence, pnwmom Oct 2012 #53
There are constitutional issues with doing it Yo_Mama Oct 2012 #62
That's what I've been saying. Commercially used property gets taxed, pnwmom Oct 2012 #63
Since a lot of religious institutions are recieving tax dollars, they should pay. freshwest Oct 2012 #4
Of course they should! DeSwiss Oct 2012 #9
Italy! Of all places to tax the Roman Catholic Church..... Proletariatprincess Oct 2012 #6
Yes indeedy! DeSwiss Oct 2012 #10
There is so much irony in that story the Pope had to change his underwear after hearing the news davidpdx Oct 2012 #23
Yes, Yes, Yes defacto7 Oct 2012 #11
GREAT PIZZA EXCUSE!!! DeSwiss Oct 2012 #12
They already have too much say in government. Proletariatprincess Oct 2012 #15
Drip, drip... canuckledragger Oct 2012 #14
Shocking! Italy? Really? johnlucas Oct 2012 #16
It's about time spiderpig Oct 2012 #17
K&R idwiyo Oct 2012 #18
I've never understood how exempting churches complies with separation of church and state. SunSeeker Oct 2012 #19
Nuke the Vatican HankyDub Oct 2012 #21
K&R. Yes please! Overseas Oct 2012 #22
Imagine what this would do in the US if this happened here condoleeza Oct 2012 #24
I will gladly let them tax the churches here...Say, oh, a modest 10%? That way, they can pay for silvershadow Oct 2012 #27
For information purposes only... OnlinePoker Oct 2012 #28
It also gives new meaning to the phrase meow2u3 Oct 2012 #56
All Italians will also be taxed on their own residence too dipsydoodle Oct 2012 #29
Awesome news!! I hope there is a domino effect!!! hue Oct 2012 #30
R#44 & K for, may Zeus make it so EVERYWHERE!1 n/t UTUSN Oct 2012 #32
Whoa. Bout time. lonestarnot Oct 2012 #35
Depending on the location, church-owned buildings not used for religious worship are taxed in the US jhasp Oct 2012 #36
some are not going to like facts getting in the way of their blind hatred for all things religious leftyohiolib Oct 2012 #40
Wow. That should be enforced in the US, too. nt valerief Oct 2012 #41
Let's be the next country to tax churches!!! NC_Nurse Oct 2012 #42
Time for the US to follow, on ALL churches. joanbarnes Oct 2012 #45
Splendid idea. All those Mormon temples must have really high valuations! Coyotl Oct 2012 #49
+12 haikugal Oct 2012 #51
That is a start but what about Italy making the Vatican part of Italy again awake Oct 2012 #52
Actually it was the Lateran Treaty of 1929 signed between Mussolini and the Pope WilmywoodNCparalegal Oct 2012 #58
This is not surprising for us Italians WilmywoodNCparalegal Oct 2012 #59
Awesome! The Great Grifting Church finally has to chip in a bit. Arugula Latte Oct 2012 #54
k&r n/t RainDog Oct 2012 #55
Wow, In ITALY of all places?!? Odin2005 Oct 2012 #57
I can see how that would make a lot of people very happy. LanternWaste Oct 2012 #61
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Catholic Church To Lose H...»Reply #62