does the society try their best to pay taxes or to avoid doing so???

therevealer

They give strong counsel to adherents, but what do they do???

sir82

They're a 501(c)(3), they don't have to pay taxes.

Yes I know that sir82. But do they utilyze this exemption to the nth degree or do they do their best to fairly contribute where they should. When they do their special projects, even on the local levels, my experience is that they use to the full every loophole available. There are many threads showing how they go above and beyond in using their tax exemptions to the full. Why did they change to donation based payment for the literature. And does that suggest they were flying under the radar when they were selling for a set price.

sir82

Not sure I understand your point.

What organizatin would purposely not "utilize this exemption to the nth degree"?

Do you think the WTS should voluntarily pay more tax than they are legally obligated to?

If they break the law, then they should be prosecuted. If they adhere to the tax code, as written, I don't see where there is legitimate cause for complaint. If you think the tax laws are unfair, write to your congressman.

Why exactly should the WTS be obligated to pay more taxes than any other religious organization? "Because I don't like them" won't get you very far.

therevealer

Sorry that we come out on different wave lengths here. I have grown weary of their do as we say not as we do. There are many things that are automatic in this regard and there are some others that must be fought for. When the Swaggert thing evolved they were in with both feet even to the point of siding with and fighting with the evil babylon to strive to avoid paying taxes. Since they changed to voluntary donations, does that mean they were abusing their non-tax status. I think it must mean that. Now when you say what organization would _____ fill in the blanks, you are overlooking that they are not "any organization". They set themselves up as higher and better than all others. There have been many instances where they have tried to squeeze to hard and have had to forfeit their efforts. I am not saying it is or would be reasonable to expect them to say "we know we don't have to pay such and such but here ya go anyway, cuz we're just so great" but when they try to stand apart on a higher moral ground, they deserve higher scrutiny and I think they have shown themselves not overly exemplary in these matters. I think we will have to do the "agree to disagree" thingy here but that's okay for me. I just tire from the constant berating of the rank and file and even others of the world as to what they should do and not necessarily so much for themselves. Like the "you should avoid worldly contamination" but we will use the UN to our benefit. You be totally nuetral, even with your school aged children, but we have no problem with signing our names to documents avowing allegiances to our benefit. Anyway I am way off topic on my own thread, so I will shut-up now. LOL

truthseeker1969

Honestly, the easiest way for governments to determine tax exemption (for chairites) would be to stipulate or mandate that a percentage of income be used for the benefit of the community they operate in.

Example. Mormon church has a 3 billion dollar fortune but does nothing for its people period same with WBTS so stipulate that 20 percent has to be used in community projects with no religious mandate and you gain your exemption, if you dont you get the full corporate tax rate imposed with no tax deductions.

Donations I believe should be taxed anyway, its all about greed

DesirousOfChange

.......stipulate that 20 percent has to be used in community projects with no religious mandate and you gain your exemption, if you dont you get the full corporate tax rate imposed with no tax deductions.

Donations I believe should be taxed anyway, its all about greed.

All religion oriented businesses should be taxed like any other business. Period.

1st Amendment (US): "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

In my opinion, taxing religion based businesses on a basis equal to any other business would not constitute making a"law respecting the establishment of religion". Evidently, the Supreme Court viewed California's sales tax on religious material the same way. Equal taxation, NOT exempt from it. With the dire economic situation faced in the US, politicians (let alone citizens) could easily see religion as a bastian of wealth to be tapped.

ABibleStudent

DesirousOfChange - In my opinion, taxing religion based businesses on a basis equal to any other business would not constitute making a"law respecting the establishment of religion". Evidently, the Supreme Court viewed California's sales tax on religious material the same way. Equal taxation, NOT exempt from it. With the dire economic situation faced in the US, politicians (let alone citizens) could easily see religion as a bastian of wealth to be tapped.

Is the WTBTS a publishing company that is trying to avoid paying taxes, or a religion? I feel the WTBTS is the former and not the latter. Also, I feel that any organization that uses mind control techniques, like what the WTBTS uses or as described in Steve Hassan's book "Combatting Cult Mind Control" should pay taxes, because of the harm that they do to citizens of a country. Since the requirements for 501(c)(3) organizations are defined by Congress, I would support any tax revision that would prohibit organizations that practice mind control from being considered as tax exempt, or better yet replace the existing personal income tax with a retail sales tax.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

ABibleStudent

designs

Avoiding sales tax on the magazines was a big deal with them going to the 'here's your magazines on a donation basis' program.

does the society try their best to pay taxes or to avoid doing so???

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