This is a tid bit that I once heard from an old brother who was a witness throughout the Rutherford era. Maybe others have heard this as well.
In the 30's J B Rutherfraud, Franic Freddy, and company subtly allowed jw's to officially be recognized as a "religion". Remember that he used to rant and rave how that "Religion is a snare and a racket". For many years the wtbts was chartered as a 'bible educational Society', not wanting to be recognized as a "religion" because religion was "bad" in god's eyes. But in the 30's the U.S.tax laws changed regarding many tax exempt organizations. "Religious organizations" however, maintained their tax free status. Thus jw's became a "religious organization".
Sounds like money makes policy in dub-land!
just saying!