If 47% Don’t Pay Taxes, Let’s Tax Churches

If 47% Don’t Pay Taxes, Let’s Tax Churches

St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church – Pennsylvania (Photo credit: Dougtone)

With all the talk about who pays taxes, it’s worth shaking up conventional wisdom. Re-examining fundamentals—like the tax exemption afforded churches—can be downright liberating. We may have a hard time criticizing a church or religion, but taxing them might be different.

For generations, churches have been exempt from income taxes. What’s more, all 50 states and the District of Columbia give them a pass on property taxes too. Ever since our founding fathers, it’s hands-off for federal income taxes, property taxes and more.