RE: Should religious organizations be taxed?
December 17, 2011 at 12:13 pm
(This post was last modified: December 17, 2011 at 12:15 pm by Welsh cake.)
Well, on the subject of should they be taxed or not, the answer is an obvious "YES" but there would have to be -massive- amendments to the law and how we interpret HMRC policies and guidelines on Tax exemptions within just the UK alone.
Currently, Christian denominations can easily argue they're a 'charity' because they can assert they're providing a benefit to the public, rather than a specific individual. A benefit that can originate from secular alternatives or means, but a benefit they can claim they bring to the community regardless. Also, charities that are members of particular national organisations or movements (such as churches) are also excepted from registration.
As it stands they don't even have to sign up with the Register of charities or the charity commission. They don't have to show their financial profile or submit their annual income figures at all if they're not under a charity regulator.
And even if their particular cult is not recognised by the local government or authority they can still appeal or apply to HMRC for tax relief anyway.
Currently, Christian denominations can easily argue they're a 'charity' because they can assert they're providing a benefit to the public, rather than a specific individual. A benefit that can originate from secular alternatives or means, but a benefit they can claim they bring to the community regardless. Also, charities that are members of particular national organisations or movements (such as churches) are also excepted from registration.
As it stands they don't even have to sign up with the Register of charities or the charity commission. They don't have to show their financial profile or submit their annual income figures at all if they're not under a charity regulator.
And even if their particular cult is not recognised by the local government or authority they can still appeal or apply to HMRC for tax relief anyway.
