How to Revoke WTS' Tax-Exempt Status?

by doinmypart 9 Replies latest jw friends

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  doinmypart

  The IRS (U.S. government agency responsible for collecting taxes & enforcing tax laws) can remove an organization's tax-exempt status if the organization has doctrine contrary to public policy, or it carries on propaganda.

  As much as the WTS prints on blood, not voting, shunning, etc. which of these items can be submitted to the IRS? How does one submit a complaint to the IRS?

  "Contrary to public policy" and "propaganda" seem to be fairly broad, could something so simple result in the loss of tax-exempt status? Is instructing your membership not to vote contrary to public policy?

  I was reading a news article about how the IRS is warning churches not to engage in improper political campaigning or lose tax-exempt status. Maybe now is the time to find areas for complaint against the WTS...perhaps getting hit from the courts and the IRS will substantially weaken the WTS.
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  XJW4EVR

  Revoking the tax-exempt status of a religious organization is a slippery slope that should be tread upon very carefully.
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  BizzyBee

  Not sure of your grounds, but the starting point would be to contact the office of the New York State Attorney General.

  They are responsible for non-profit compliance issues.
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  Elsewhere

  I don't understand why churches are tax exempt to begin with. They consume public resources that are paid for using tax dollars, so why give them a free ride?
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  lilybird

  Yes.. but at least most churches give back to the community in charity work or looking after the homeless or needy, The watchtower society gives nothing to society . It is a totally useless organization that only causes disunity in families and death to members who refuse blood transfusions.I think for a church to be tax-exempt, they should be giving to the community in some way.
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  rebel8

  You could report the suspected violation to both NY and the federal IRS because nonprofits are regulated by both. Here’s the fed info:

  § 501. Exemption from tax on corporations, certain trusts, etc.

  I think this is where you report violations: http://www.irs.gov/compliance/enforcement/article/0,,id=106778,00.html
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  james_woods

  Just for what it is worth - I think that in today's general political climate, US government agencies are a lot more likely to take the side of a religion rather than an individual ex-member.

  I can still remember my brother-in-law trying to go to the ACLU for help with a lawsuit when he got DFd for apostacy - he basically got told to forget about it, that they (the ACLU) believed in unlimited religious freedoms for any and all religious organizations.

  Guess he should have figured that bunch would go down on the side of an organization that hates the flag salute and the cross, but protects pedophiles.
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  XJW4EVR

  Guess he should have figured that bunch would go down on the side of an organization that hates the flag salute and the cross, but protects pedophiles.

  Now that's funny!
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  mustang

  Revoking the tax-exempt status of a religious organization is a slippery slope that should be tread upon very carefully.

  Yes, opening this door is like Pandora's box; there are other useful entities that could get hurt in the backlash.

  But...

  I was reading a news article about how the IRS is warning churches not to engage in improper political campaigning or lose tax-exempt status.

  This is useful to remember and become a WATCHDOG: this will keep the JW's from getting political in the future and expanding their empire.

  Mustang
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  itsallgoodnow

  I don't know, is it "contrary to public policy" to deny its members their voting rights, the ability to serve in the military and access to secondary education? Not to mention propaganda, which they all do. This law was written for the purpose of revoking tax exempt status on religions they don't like for whatever reason and letting the rest of them do what they want to do. Who knows how much the WTS pays off government officials or lobbyists to allow them to keep doing what they do? I'm jaded enough to think they are involved in that, too.