Churches Need Not Apply In order to be considered for tax-exempt status by the IRS an organization must fill out and submit IRS Form 1023 and 1024. However, note what the IRS says regarding churches and church ministries, in Publication 557: Some organizations are not required to file Form 1023. These include: Churches, interchurch organizations of local units of a church, conventions or associations of churches, or integrated auxiliaries of a church, such as a men’s or women’s organization, religious school, mission society, or youth group. These organizations are exempt automatically if they meet the requirements of section 501(c)(3).Jikan wrote:Depending on the country, this is necessary for tax purposes. It's not so easy for a religious group to get tax-exempt status as it is in the US (in Europe especially). it took several years for the Tendai sangha to get such status in Denmark, for instance.justsit wrote:What difference would it make if it was registered or not?KonchokZoepa wrote:justsit that would be a good thing if buddhism would be a registered religion like christianity.
Churches Are “Automatically Tax-Exempt” According to IRS Code § 508(c)(1)(A): Special rules with respect to section 501(c)(3) organizations. (a) New organizations must notify secretary that they are applying for recognition of section 501(c)(3) status.
(c) Exceptions. (1) Mandatory exceptions. Subsections (a) and (b) shall not apply to—(A) churches, their integrated auxiliaries, and conventions or associations of churches. This is referred to as the "mandatory exception" rule
. Thus, we see from the IRS’ own publications, and the tax code, that it is completely unnecessary for any church to apply for tax-exempt status. In the IRS’ own words a church “is automatically tax-exempt.”
You can start a church tommorro Jikan.
(do study the 503 ca to make sure ypur in line with legal aspects,there is a thin line between a preacher stealing from the church (fraud) and a preacher who has a very very large salary
(joel olstein,pat robertson)
If your Tendai temple needs any help with legal laws concerning the church just ask me and Im pretty sure I can find you the legal codes from there just check with an IRS represetative on the ingormation and run with it.
Peace and Love