It’s a long time coming but how ironic that a church started by a taxman should fall into the Tax office’s sights.
It appears that Church run enterprises may come under scrutiny in plans for the Tax office to complete a review of the charity sector.
CHARITIES and other non-government organisations could lose billions of dollars’ worth of tax perks as the Rudd Government’s taxation review prepares to examine whether the concessions offered to the $80 billion non-profit sector are justified. [source]
The tax man will be going up against the Catholic Church though(perhaps trying to recoup some of that money spent on WYD 08) who have always resisted moves to regulate the charity sector.
My guess though is that they will leave the churches alone, targeting sports stars,inefficient charities and those celebrities who seek to use not for profit status as tax dodges.
When it comes to the church what’s good for the goose is good for the goose and the Gander can go and get plucked.
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It will be interesting to see if anything comes out of that review. I’m sure the Churches will be lobbying very hard not to lose any of their tax exempt status.
I’ve started reading (though not got very far due to personal matters interfering with my life) “The Purple Economy” by Max Wallace. Subtitled ‘supernatural charities, tax and the state’. So will be writing some posts about tax exemptions and religions in the near future.
PS. I’M BACK
I read about this earlier today. Could be an interesting podcast topic! Speaking of which, YOU don’t want to miss the upcoming Tuesday show (or Wednesday for you, I suppose). I can say no more.
OZ,
Its promising but yeah, I don’t hold high hopes.
John,
I am one of your two subscribers. Haven’t missed an episode since issue 12 or so.
But hang on, Sean – didn’t Jesus instruct us not to question the Church, but instead, as Mark 21:7 puts it, to “lie back and take what we give you”?
Are you calling Jesus a liar?
(btw, would you object to my linking to your blog on mine?)
Ben,
I believe that’s what they like to say.
Have you heard the joke about the two priests in the urinal and the Nicobate patch?
I can call Jesus anything seeing he’s dead and I live far enough away from any of his crazy followers
Link away Ben, which blog is it the one in your profile or the New Matilda one?
This one has always been a pet hate of mine, not just for churches, but also for cashed up sporting clubs as well. Take, for example, wealthy leagues clubs in Sydney such as Canterbury or Penrith. Is there any need for these to be considered tax-exempt?
Anyone can start a not-for-profit and pay themselves a wage as an office bearer. I hope that this isn’t just a whitewash where the government gets towelled by lobbyists, but of course, you know that they will.
“But hang on, Sean – didn’t Jesus instruct us not to question the Church, but instead, as Mark 21:7 puts it, to “lie back and take what we give you”?”
Uh, Ben. Mark only has 16 chapters.
Dikkii,
Yeah I think they will succumb to the pressure of the churches and go after the little guy. I am sure even the sporting clubs will remain largely unscathed.
Cynic,
Ben’s a comedian (no really, a real live comedian). Not just a wise arse – well his probably both but any who you get what I mean, I hope
Sean, we might actually be up to 3 or 4 by now. But we appreciate your loyalty.
John,
At least I can say I was there at the beginning.
Are you basking in the reflective glow of our fame?
John,
Getting radiation burns my friend.
I’ll put you on my blogroll on my blogspot blog, Sean, although I may well link to you someday on New Matilda if there’s something relevant to whatever frivolous nonsense I’m writing about that week…