IRS FORM FOR TAX-EXEMPT STATUS COMPLAINT -RE: CATHOLIC CHURCH

[Bonobo]

If anyone else here thinks, as I do, that the Catholic Church has meddled too far into politics in order to deserve to keep their tax-exempt status, please do the following.
Please keep this bumped through the days ahead and send this info to everyone you know. I also strongly suggest Facebook status as a means of spreading this.

It is high time we apply a little pressure of our own. From the regular folks. Us.

1. Here is a link to Form 13909. It is the IRS complaint form re tax-exempt status.
http://74.125.93.132/search?q=cache:Tf321ngKNhMJ:www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f13909.pdf+Form+13909+download&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
-and here is the pdf itself: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f13909.pdf

2. Submit form in the following way.
Form 13909 and any supporting documentation may be submitted in a variety of ways. They can be sent via:

Mail to IRS EO Classification, Mail Code 4910DAL, 1100 Commerce St., Dallas, TX 75242-1198,
Fax to 214-413-5415, or
Email to [e-mail].


By the way, this is entirely anonymous. Also, I only singled out the Catholic Church because they seem the biggest and most vocal of the offenders. I personally think all churches and religious institutions should be taxed.

-Thanks to Angry Dragon for the original idea to start this post.

[glowing]

1. I thought this was a "family" issue.. Wouldn't the C-Street politicians and their church

be subject to some investigating as well.

[Cleita]

3. Without a doubt. n/t

[Cleita]

2. It shouldn't be just the Catholic church but any number of the fundie

Churches who brought us George Bush and Sarah Palin. Also, how about the Westboro Baptist Church?

[Ignis]

33. So fill out a form for each. (nt)

[yodoobo]

4. If they become taxpayers. Their power will increase immensely

Look at how much power corporations have already as tax paying entities.

Giving the church that additional power would be incredibly scary.

FWIW, I doubt that filling out a form will make this happen though.

[Zodiak]

5. They met with Democratic leaders before the Stupak amendment was introduced

So how is this different than the corporations doing the same thing?

The church ALREADY has the power you describe, PLUS they do not pay taxes.

[Bonobo]

6. That is correct.

They already have the influence, they are allowed to pay no taxes, including on all the properties they own (I assume) and they wear the mantle of respectability, honor and purity that religion affords them.

[yodoobo]

19. correct.

And I don't want to see that power multipled 10 fold by legitimacy.

[csziggy]

7. The taxes on churches could pay for health care for all, I'd guess

[AngryOldDem]

9. It's quite simple.

If they want to play, then make 'em pay.

K&R'd.

[yodoobo]

18. I think its reversed

If they start paying, they will make us play.

[AngryOldDem]

20. It's already happening.

The Stupak fiasco was signed off on by the bishops, after consultation with Pelosi. (And, gee, I thought she was on their shitlist...) The Church was a main reason why the same-sex marriage law was repealed in Maine. Now, they're doing the same damned political gameplaying in D.C.

If they want a seat at the table, fine. They can just as well pay for it. They've been skirting the line for a long while with accepted political involvement by a nonprofit entity -- it's time to call them on it. The Church should not continue to be tax exempt if it plans to take an active role in shaping public policy, as it's now made perfectly clear it intends to do.

[yodoobo]

21. Well I agree but this is one hell of a bees nest to be poking

Taxing churches would bring churches legitimacy and make them a full fledged partner in Washington.

This would be the biggest "bring out the fundie" vote in the history of elections and we would see a complete reversal in Washington in every branch of government at the next several elections.

And they would want FAR more than a seat at the table. They would be deciding whether or not we are entitled to continue to have a seat at THEIR table.

I don't want a theocracy.

[JoeyT]

23. None of us want a theocracy.

But that's what we've pretty much got. All tax exemption does is give them more money to fight against equal rights and allow them to consolidate power further and further.

[truedelphi]

27. the Catholic Church already meddles in its handling of many issues regarding politics.

Except for some subversive groups of Catholics that meet privately, every Church service I have attended are all about supporting wars and limiting people's rights.

Sex is dirty, homosexuality is a sin, and on and on.

I really think that since they don't speak out against the injustices of war, the prejudices that gay people face, etc that they should pay taxes just like everyone else.

[loudsue]

36. I TOTALLY REJECT THAT ARGUMENT!!! It is unconstitutional

for churches to be doing this. How have we become so cowed that we allow such blatant illegal activity to continue without becoming outraged?? Churches already have WAY too much influence, and by stating the obvious and calling them on their illegality doesn't make them any more legal.

How have liberals allowed themselves to become such pawns of the powerful that we fall for the "powerful" vs. the "people" argument just to be afraid .... be VERY afraid... of the lawbreakers.

THIS is why we needed to prosecute Bush & Cheney & Rove and all their minions, and why we NEVER should have allowed Oliver North to become a "spokesperson" on the news without fire-bombing the news outlets. Crimes against the constitution and the PEOPLE of this nation are CRIMES. The Catholic church, centered in Rome (offshore company if there ever was one) are breaking OUR laws. Period.

Being more afraid of them only gives them more power.

[rhett o rick]

24. Power comes from giving money to Congress-critters NOT TO TAXES.

What are you thinking. They must pay taxes. It will not give them any more power than they already have.

[quakerboy]

29. Corporations do not have that power because they

pay taxes. They have it because they pay bribes, otherwise known as campaign money. Your argument is fallacious.

[redqueen]

8. K&R

[liberal N proud]

10. Make 'em PAY! - Give to Cesar what is Cesar's

[Bonobo]

11. Ironically, I found this:

http://www.amazon.com/Render-Unto-Caesar-Catholic-Political/dp/0385522282


Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life

“Using arguments from history as well as the wisdom of the world’s greatest thinkers, Archbishop Chaput urges Catholics to live our faith without compromise and to use our faith as the foundation for renewing American society in the twenty-first century. His tone is one of ‘now or never,’ and his presentation is crisp, intelligent, and accessible to a wide audience. This is an important book for Catholics to read and consider if we are truly to make a difference in the public square. Archbishop Chaput has made a unique and significant contribution to the Church and the nation at a time when voices like his are needed to be raised and heard.”
—Very Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M., President, The Catholic University of America

“At a time when the ‘faith and values’ vote has never been more important, Archbishop Charles Chaput deftly explores the intersection of morality, reason, and politics. This isn’t just a book for Catholics, but for anyone who cares about the state of America’s soul —and how that concern might shape the 2008 elections.”
—John L. Allen Jr., NCR and CNN senior Vatican correspondent

[pleah]

12. K&R

[Angry Dragon]

13. To Bonobo......Thanks

It is my understanding that the founding fathers were very learned men. They had studied the civilizations of Greece, Rome and others. They came from a country that had a state religion and found it wanting. They knew first hand the perils of mixing of churches and government. The abuses of the Catholic Church in Europe were closer to them than it is now to us, it was in their time.

They tried to set this country up so EVERYONE could believe as they wished as long as they did not hurt anyone nor tried to force their beliefs on another. We do not have this in this country now. What I have noticed is that as the churches in this country have felt they have gained power the hate level has increased. I am in my late 50's and have never seen the hate so rampant, even during the civil rights era, than it is right now.

It is not the religion that is to blame. Everyone has a religion. Religion is just one's own set of beliefs. Whether that includes a god or not, that does not matter. It is just your own beliefs on how you want to live your life. The beliefs include spiritual, politics, family, anything.

The churches are the issue, not the religion. Try to look at it as the message verses the messenger. The church is the message. Do not go after the messenger.

I will be back later to rec to keep it at the top.

The Angry Dragon is very angry.

[slackmaster]

14. I filled out a half dozen of those forms last year for various churches and NP orgs

I never got a meaningful response from the IRS for any of them.

[Bonobo]

15. You're not supposed to get a response, I think. Here.

The Review Process

Upon receipt, research is done to confirm the identity of the organization in question and once this is complete, information is entered into a database to help the IRS keep track of the progress of the review.

An experienced EO revenue agent then performs a thorough technical analysis of the allegation made on the referral. The agent uses a “reasonable belief” standard to evaluate the facts and to determine whether EO should take further action. Before taking action, the revenue agent must determine that the facts create a reasonable belief that the allegations may be true when considered fairly and in light of other reliable information.

The reviewing EO agent will decide one of the following:

The information does not warrant further action. In this case, the agent inputs information, including rationale, into the database and closes the referral.
The referral relates to activities that should be considered at a future date. The agent documents the database and schedules the appropriate date to re-evaluate the information.
The referral contains characteristics that require it to be forwarded to a committee of career EO managers and agents. This committee evaluates referrals monthly -- more often in some circumstances -- and decides whether to proceed with an examination. The committee also applies the “reasonable belief” standard.
The information warrants an examination of the organization. The agent documents his or her decision and the reasons for it in the database. The information item then becomes part of the examination file.
If this process results in a decision to examine an organization, the Classification Office will forward the case to a field group for assignment to a revenue agent. The revenue agent will contact the organization and schedule an appointment to begin the examination. (For details on the EO examination process, see Fact Sheet 2008-14.)

[Angry Dragon]

16. Just ran across this link

http://www.seattlecatholic.com/a050615.html


From this I gather the church feels that the state gathers its powers from god and is under god.

So the people that do not believe in a god do not have to live under the laws??

[Me.]

17. EXCELLENT!

K & R

[EFerrari]

22. Kick.

[Amonester]

25. Kick!

For the night crowD(U)!

Thx AD & BnB :hi:

[Raster]

26. Kick!!!

[dickthegrouch]

28. K&R

[pattmarty]

30. I'll tell ya what I think about "religions", is that every fucking one................

.......of them ought to be taxed. Then you can say, what deficit? AND, we've funded ALL the progressive things that need funding, now what do we do with the "extra" 30 trillion we have left?:sarcasm:

[brendan120678]

31. Why not all 401(c)(3)'s? Or at least those that...

advocate for political causes?

[AllyCat]

32. For nature of violation are you putting "political campaign" or "excessive

lobbying" or both?

[Bonobo]

34. I put both.

Do you agree?

[AllyCat]

41. Yeah. It doesn't say to only check one.

[h9socialist]

35. As Frank Zappa used to say:

TAX THE CHURCHES!!!!

TAX THE BUSINESSES OWNED BY THE CHURCHES!!!!!

[Bonobo]

37. "The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing", also "Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk". nt

[h9socialist]

38. No! "Heavenly Bank Account" Live. "You Can't Do that on Stage Anymore" Vol. 1

He's got tweny million dollars in his heavenly bank account
All from those chumps who was born again

And the governors agree to say "He's a lovely man."
He makes it easier for them to screw
All of you

He's got twenty million dollars in his heavenly bank account
You ain't got nothin' people

TAX THE CHURCHES!

You ain't got nothin' people

TAX THE BUSINESSES OWNED BY THE CHURCHES!

You ain't got nothin' people, Thank the Man!
Oh Yeah!

Oh, gimme half a dozening fo' dah' hotel rooooo-ihm!

[Bonobo]

39. .

:thumbsup:

Fucking missing Frank...

[ladywnch]

40. I am curious. Does anyone know if churches are taxed in any other countries?

I'm not suggesting that this should justify whether or not we tax them, I 'm just curious if any country taxes them?

[FLDCVADem]

42. We may not like what they've done

but they've broken no laws nor have they done anything to endanger their tax exempt status. Advocacy, either for or against an issue, is not prohibited.