“New City church accused of claiming false tax exemption” The Journal News of New York’s Lower Hudson Valley reports here on charges that CSI Congregation of Hudson Valley Inc. continued to use a religious exemption from property taxes after the minister moved out and tenants began paying rent.
Month: October 2017
“Church Charges Zoning Denial Stemmed From Anti-African Discrimination”
“Church Charges Zoning Denial Stemmed From Anti-African Discrimination” Religion Clause reports here on a case filed in a Maryland federal district court by the Jesus Christ is the Answer Ministries.
“Government Settles 13 Contraceptive Mandate Cases”
“Government Settles 13 Contraceptive Mandate Cases” Religion Clause reports here on a press release stating that seventy-four plaintiffs in thirteen cases around the country settled lawsuits seeking religious exemptions from the contraceptive-coverage mandates implemented under the Affordable Care Act.
“Christian School’s Zoning Exclusion Did Not Violate RLUIPA”
“Christian School’s Zoning Exclusion Did Not Violate RLUIPA” Religion Clause reports here on Tree of Life Christian Schools v. City of Upper Arlington, (S.D. Ohio Oct. 13, 2017).
1742 Housing allowance decision
[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/5853761/height/90/width/450/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/c30000/” height=”90″ width=”450″ placement=”top”]The federal district court for the Western District of Wisconsin recently held that the Tax Code’s housing allowance violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause. The decision in Gaylor v. Mnuchin, (W.D. Wis., Oct. 6, 2017), deals with 26 U.S.C. § 107(2). It does not affect the exemption from taxed income based on the value of a church-owned home, traditionally referred to as a parsonage, which is found in 26 U.S.C. § 107(1). Josh explains how the housing-allowance exemption works, why the court concluded it is unconstitutional, and what ministers and religious organizations should look for as the case progresses.
FREE Webinar Nov. 2: Best Employee Practices for Houses of Worship
“FREE Webinar Nov. 2: Best Employee Practices for Houses of Worship” Register here for a free webinar sponsored by Church Executive and webinar featuring Frank Sommerville on November 2 at 11 a.m. E.D.T. The webinar will cover employee harassment, harassment policies, best hiring practices, terminating employees, and compliance with minimum wage and overtime rules.
1741 What to do with assets when a worshiping community closes
[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/5826736/height/90/width/450/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/c30000/” height=”90″ width=”450″ placement=”top”]If history is any indication, every worshiping community’s life ends sometime. If that happens under the U.S. Tax Code, there are limits on how assets must be distributed. Musical instruments, books, and furnishings can’t just be given to the donors who funded them. Fair prices must be received. And any assets left at the end of the legal entity’s existence must be transferred to another charitable entity, like another house of worship, a denominational entity, relief agencies, or social service providers.
“11 Ways Employees Commit Fraud: The most common types of fraud experienced by religious, charitable, and social service organizations”
“11 Ways Employees Commit Fraud: The most common types of fraud experienced by religious, charitable, and social service organizations” ChurchLaw&Tax has an infographic here.
“Claim of Fraudulent Luring Into Conversion To Christianity Dismissed on Ecclesiastical Abstention Grounds”
“Claim of Fraudulent Luring Into Conversion To Christianity Dismissed on Ecclesiastical Abstention Grounds” Religion Clause reports here on Rymer v. Lemaster, (M.D. Tenn., Oct. 4, 2017). The adopted magistrate judge’s recommendation is here.
“Court Says Tax Code’s Parsonage Allowance Is Unconstitutional”
“Court Says Tax Code’s Parsonage Allowance Is Unconstitutional” Religion Clause reports here on Gaylor v. Mnuchin, (W.D. Wis., Oct. 6, 2017). Freedom From Religion Foundation has a press release here. Here’s an excerpt from the court’s decision: Continue reading ““Court Says Tax Code’s Parsonage Allowance Is Unconstitutional””