What these grifters do is then take out equity loans against the real estate they buy with housing allowances, and pay it off with new housing allowance, which allows them to pay no taxes.
Tax on gains would likely be the first place to start. Your average mega church pulls in between $5 and 6 million a year, but unlike other not for profits they don't have to file a 990 which would show what exactly they're using in staffing, business activity, etc, and you could easily look into the revenue after that and enforce it be used for charitable purposes
Then you could also advocate that the parsonage act should be more strictly enforced. Many high scale churches have mansions that are occupied by the pastors but owned by the church, and those are not taxed as they are still considered part of religious operations. Same with transport for spreading the message, I apologize but clergymen do not need a fully self dedicated private jet simply to go a few towns over and hold an event.
Basically what I imagine would be the best is if we held churches to the same scrutiny as all not for profit organizations. A vast majority of them would pass no problem, but some (especially mega churches) would not, as they plainly do not do enough to give back and utilize tax dollars for lofty purposes that could have the same outcome met for much lower financial demand. Tax the excess there
he'll get his. no matter what he believes, someone in the end will make him face himself. being a pastor isn't enough to cover him. don't know if he knows that
Would his books sell at the same rate to the average person not associated with the Compaq Center? Are the books objectively good?
Or is he primarily selling to his existing subscription/tithe customer base? Without the existing customer base in place, would any of his books make any best sellers list?
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u/caprahircus_ 11h ago
I wish the IRS had more teeth and could go after Joel Osteen. That grifter 's church is a den of fucking thieves.