Comments on: Ada Seeks Taxes On Church Rental Property

By: pollypinks

pollypinks — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:00:46 +0000

Perhaps the church should look into operating it’s own daycare.

EDITOR NOTE–We have made the same observation in the past. If a private party leased space to the YMCA for day care, they would have to pay taxes. The solution is for the church to operate the day care as part of its service to the community, but they probably don’t want the liability. If they are bringing income outside their religious mission, it is subject to tax.

By: Frederick

Frederick — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 21:42:34 +0000

How about the first amendment? Does it apply? There is no way under the first amendment that a religion can be taxed unless it be acting in commerce. Owning property and receiving currency for its use is not a commercial activity. Any tax would be a law prohibiting the free exercise of the religion. Won’t work.

EDITOR NOTE–Sorry Fred. The whole issue is about USE and the church itself acknowledges the 18% space is not used for religious activities. As we said earlier, if the church operated the day care there would be no issue.

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 17:18:56 +0000

You could carry the same logic to the State Land Board ownership of the Storage business they recently purchased. It is not used for a public purpose and should therefore be taxed just like any other business and property.

Even Urban Renewal agencies have to pay property taxes on property they own not used for a public purpose.