NYT - Religion-Based Tax Breaks: Housing to Paychecks to Books (WTF?)

[Bozita]

This is frontpage, above the fold with large photo in today's NYT. All four parts of this series have gotten my juices flowing.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/11/business/11religious.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&ref=todayspaper&pagewanted=all

In God’s Name
Religion-Based Tax Breaks: Housing to Paychecks to Books


By DIANA B. HENRIQUES
Published: October 11, 2006

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...



In God's Name
Part 4: The Personal Exemptions

Articles in this four-part series examine how American religious organizations benefit from an increasingly accommodating government.

Other Articles in the Series

Part 1: Favors for the Faithful

Part 2: Limiting Workers' Rights

Part 3: Giving Exemptions

Use the link near the top of this post to access the 3 earlier parts, photos, amd more.

[sofa king]

1. No kidding?

I'm an ordained minister in the Universal Life Church. You can be, too:

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

[Zhade]

2. Yet another violation of the separation of church and state.

Hey, liberal believers - another fight for you to take up!

(We atheists don't have a god in this fight, and aren't listened to anyway.)

[Moderator]

3. Duplicate

This is a duplicate of a thread that was moved to Other Articles ( not breaking news) earlier today.

Here is a link:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x239706