Preacher Taxed On Regular Gifts From Congregation Members
While he was at Tuskegee University, Bishop Felton first learned about the notion of “handshake money” – donations made directly to the pastor on the way out of church. He didn’t like the way that it was done and resolved that he would handle it differently when he had his own church.
Atheist Group Asks To Disclose To IRS What Churches Disclose: Nothing
Form 990 is a required filing that creates significant transparency for exempt organizations. In 1971, it was harder to get your hands on Form 990, but a team of reporters working for Warren Buffet’s Omaha Sun took the trouble which allowed them to expose the extent to which fundraising had outstripped service delivery at the venerable Boys Town.
The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability recommends financial transparency for churches:
The financial statements (and the disclosure of the financial statements) are key components of transparency, both within the ministry and to donors and the public. This flows directly from biblical principles: “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed” (John 3:19–20 NIV).
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Over and over again courts have said that there is nothing sinister in so arranging one’s affairs as to keep taxes as low as possible. Everybody does so, rich or poor; and all do right, for nobody owes any public duty to pay more than the law demands: taxes are enforced exactions, not voluntary contributions. To demand more in the name of morals is mere cant.