the preferential treatment of a protected group is

#The preferential treatment of a protected group is how to

This gives churches a “fundraising advantage.” It prevents AA from getting donations larger than $5,000 because they would then have to disclose the donors’ names, something churches don’t have to do. Overall, AA argues, the IRS gives unfair preferential treatment to religious groups and discriminates against atheists. Thus, American Atheists is forced each year to disclose information about its employees, volunteers, and donors - members of the most hated minority in America today that is subjected to great prejudice and discrimination - whereas churches and many religious organizations need not make such disclosures. It, therefore, files its informational return each year while enduring discriminatory treatment. It would violate the sincerely held belief system of American Atheists to seek classification as a “religious organization or church” from the IRS.

Most religious organizations and churches are not. … American Atheists is forced to expend time and money making accurate annual filings with the IRS each year or risk losing tax-exempt status or being subject to other sanctions for non-compliance. … American Atheists was forced to undergo expense to apply for 501(c)(3) tax exempt status that churches and most religious organizations are not forced to undergo. Those tax deductions we’re not getting from the religious world cost our country an estimated $71,000,000,000 a year.Īmerican Atheists has urged the IRS to classify them as a religious group so they can get access to those same benefits, but the IRS has said no each time. Considering how many pastors there are who live in multi-million dollar mansions, it’s pretty obvious a lot of churches take advantage of this rule. There’s no limit to the size of these deductions, either. Churches don’t have to withhold income tax from salaries paid to pastors. Other non-profit groups, on the other hand, have to file that paperwork meticulously.Ĭhurches also get other special benefits the rest of us don’t: Pastors, for example, can deduct the cost of mortgage payments and homeowners insurance from their taxable income. So are they doing things that actually benefit the public and, thus, warrant a tax-exemption? Who knows. Religious groups don’t have to do that.įurthermore, churches don’t have to tell the IRS what they do with the money they take in. Usually, groups that are tax-exempt have to submit an application to receive that benefit (Form 1023) or pay a large fee ($850). Religious groups (including churches) are tax-exempt, just like non-profit groups.

#The preferential treatment of a protected group is how to

Ok… let’s put this lawsuit in English (courtesy of a math teacher who has no legal training but claims to know how to read): § 501(c)(3) in violation of Plaintiffs’ rights to the Equal Protection of the Laws required by the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment, the First Amendment, and the Religious Test Clause of Article VI, § 3 of the Constitution to the United States of America. seek an injunction and declaratory relief to stop Defendant in his capacity as Commissioner of the, and hence the IRS, from giving preferential treatment to religious organizations and churches under I.R.C. Tonight, American Atheists announced that they, too, are suing the IRS, but for a different reason: They say Shulman is giving preferential treatment to churches and religious organizations (PDF): We’re still waiting to see how that lawsuit plays out.

It was the IRS’ job to make sure that happened, and even when the churches flaunted their violations of the law, the IRS pretended like nothing was happening. In other words, if churches are taking in so much money, tax-free, they should not be allowed to break the law and endorse political candidates.

The preferential tax-exemption that churches and other religious organizations obtain, despite noncompliance with electioneering restrictions, amounts to more than $100,000,000,000 annually in tax-free contributions made to churches and religious organizations in the United States. (They also said Shulman violated their Equal Protection rights.) They said that Douglas Shulman, the IRS Commissioner, was violating the Establishment Clause of the Constitution by not doing his job and enforcing the “you can’t endorse a candidate from the pulpit” rule. Last month, the Freedom From Religion Foundation sued the IRS over this.