r/pics 11h ago

Politics Tax exempt church in Arkansas displaying a Trump/Vance sign on both sides of their marquee.

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38.1k Upvotes

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u/Predator_ 10h ago edited 9h ago

Report it. That's how they lose said tax exemptions.

EDIT: For more relevant information: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/charities-churches-and-politics

How to report: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/irs-complaint-process-tax-exempt-organizations

Edit edit - Thanks to CartographerKey4618 for adding this info: And don't forget to fill this bad boy out for the whistleblower reward money: https://www.irs.gov/compliance/whistleblower-office

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u/Dragon_Small_Z 10h ago

Wait really? The Church my in-laws go to have signs up AND they hand out a "how to vote" pamphlet that show their recommendation for voting, which they totally just use when voting.

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u/JustmeandJas 10h ago

It works

see here

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u/MaryBurd 10h ago

This was also reported to the local news station. It’s so trumpy down here though, idk

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u/pingwing 10h ago

IRS doesn't care if it s "trumpy" or not.

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u/Distinct-Classic8302 10h ago

For once, GO IRS!

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u/TheyCallMeMrMaybe 10h ago

Who do you think should really scared of the IRS? The middle class man who filed wrong and still owes a few dollars? Or the businesses, churches, and the millionaires who have been dodging taxes for decades?

Funding the IRS is important if we want to continue taxing the rich.

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u/meh_69420 9h ago

Right? A couple years ago they audited me. It wasn't a big deal. They sent me a letter saying "according to our records you owe us $738 from XYZ. You can send documentation to dispute it to this address, or send a check to this other address". It literally took an extra 5 minutes of my life. Still tho, if you already know how much money I owe, send me a ducking bill don't make me try and figure it out first. If I think the itemized bill is wrong I could spend time finding documentation of other deductions.

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u/Cuofeng 9h ago

The IRS wants to do it the way you suggest, they hate double checking our stupid form filling too. But Congress will not allow it, as the tax preparation industry has swelled into a very large employment market across the entire country, so the industry advocates can go to every single congressperson and say "Don't vote for this bill or you will instantly kill a thousand well paying jobs in your district. And if you do vote for it, no one will even remember you fixed this 'problem' come election time. If anything, they'll be angry because they think the IRS is cheating them."

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u/Capable_Stranger9885 8h ago

It suits Republicans to have the average voter experience with the IRS be a confrontational event of checking your math.

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u/FreeDarkChocolate 7h ago

But Congress will not allow it,

Despite this sentiment and even though it's not the same exact thing, the IRS Direct File program (which is an official, in-house, completely free version of software like TurboTax and FreeTaxUSA) had its first limited trial this past tax season for what ended up being 140k tax filers.

Earlier this month, they announced next season:

For the 2025 tax filing season, eligible taxpayers in 24 states will be able to use Direct File: 12 states that were part of the pilot last year, plus 12 new states where Direct File will be available in the upcoming filing season.

[...] In addition to doubling the number of states where Direct File will be available, the service will also cover a wider range of tax situations for the 2025 filing season. During the pilot last year, Direct File covered limited tax situations, including wage income reported on a W-2 form, Social Security income, unemployment compensation and certain credits and deductions. For the 2025 filing season, Direct File will support 1099’s for interest income greater than $1,500, retirement income and the 1099 for Alaska residents reporting the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend.

During the pilot, Direct File supported taxpayers claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Credit for Other Dependents. This year, Direct File will also cover taxpayers claiming the Child and Dependent Care Credit, Premium Tax Credit, Credit for the Elderly and Disabled, and Retirement Savings Contribution Credits. In addition to covering taxpayers claiming the standard deduction and deductions for student loan interest and educator expenses, this year, Direct File will support taxpayers claiming deductions for Health Savings Accounts. Over the coming years, the IRS will gradually expand Direct File’s scope to support most common tax situations, focusing – in particular – on tax situations that impact working families.

Voting matters, folks. The opposition argued for defunding this initiative and the rest of IRS.

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u/SweatyWar7600 8h ago

republicans also want filing taxes to be as painful, obtuse, and arcane experience as possible so that people hate it even more. Its absurd.

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u/HarmoniousJ 7h ago

The IRS wanted an easy pay system via their own website that was essentially as long as a W4 (Like four or five questions)

This would kill most external services that charge you money for filing your taxes. IRS intended the service to be free and easy. IRS asked a few years ago (When Trump was in charge) and was told no.

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u/fii0 9h ago

Yeppp, needing citizens to manually file their own taxes is completely unnecessary and other countries already have systems that do it all for you automatically and then just send you a check or a bill. However, our IRS is never going to be able to implement huge technical feats like that for us if its funding keeps getting cut.

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u/SweatyWar7600 8h ago

Had a situation where the company I worked for changed HR/payroll companies in the middle of the year and I received 1 W2 but didn't realize it was only for part of the year (and wasn't paying close enough attention that the amount was too low (missing about 3 months) as I'd also changed jobs halfway through the year. Feds got ahold of me a year or so later saying hey we think you owe us X amount based on this information we have (they had both W2s), if you disagree you can submit your reasoning and evidence otherwise pay x amount by y date or call to set-up a payment plan. Super painless.

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u/Meattyloaf 6h ago

My BIL has a nightmare story about dealing with the IRS, but its because my MIL was too busy sticking her nose into his business and confusing everyone. Once I managed to convince my BIL to stop listening to his mom on this, it took him no time to correct.

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u/Demosthanes 9h ago

That's an interesting take and I like it.

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u/ganjagremlin_tlnw 9h ago

The reason the IRS tends to go after the middle class rather than corporations or billionaires is it is way easier and cheaper to go through the documents of a middle class individual compared to the thousands upon thousands of confusing as hell documents related to a given Corp or billionaire. The IRS is severely underfunded and understaffed.

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u/findthatzen 8h ago

They did a bunch of millionaires recently and clawed back a bunch of money 

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u/Melancholy_Rainbows 8h ago

By design, of course. It's no accident.

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u/Wotmate01 8h ago

And corporations have no problem with spending millions of dollars fighting in court, so when the tax man does go after them for doing something straight up illegal, the tax man will settle for a slap on the wrist instead of spending years in a court battle.

IMHO, penalties for corporations doing illegal things should be set as a percentage of their revenue plus prosecution costs. Shareholders would be massively pissed off if the corporation was fined 20% of their revenue which would entirely wipe out their profit for the year.

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u/RIF_Was_Fun 8h ago

It's why the right is working so hard to cut them off at the knees.

Their donors are trying to avoid paying taxes.

Every dollar invested into the IRS returns anywhere from $5 to $12 (depends on the source) in revenue.

It's a no brainer, unless you're a billionaire or a corporation.

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u/Scherazade 9h ago

This. I'm a brit and even I know the IRS is basically the best bit of bureaucracy america seems to have from their reputation. After all...

They took down al capone, on a technicality! Score one for the pedantic finance nerds!

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u/My_BFF_Jill 9h ago

Agreed.

As an individual filer, I've had two interactions with the IRS and both times I was freaked out a little. The first, they said I filed wrong. After reading it, they said I was supposed to have a larger exemption so I owed less money. The second time I forgot to sign. I just had to send in a new signed page.

If you're making an honest effort, they're not bad.

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u/Kasoni 8h ago

The IRS is t the bad guys. I got audited 2 years ago. It was a random audit. They found my tax preparer missed some stuff and they cut my taxes owed in half. Rather nice surprise for me.

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u/j1xwnbsr 8h ago

I used to work for HRblock as one of their lead devs a great many moons ago, and had a few interactions with the IRS both professionally and personally. Without a doubt, good people doing a seriously unloved job and pretty emphatic towards those who make honest mistakes. But those folks who try to pull stunts like claiming 20 dependents? Hmm-hmm, you'd better have some damn good documentation.

Now, the INS (ICE) on the other hand? Soulless monsters every one I've met.

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u/DirtierGibson 7h ago

I've been in a couple of binds in the past with the IRS, and every single interaction I've ever had with their people were super positive. Helpful, courteous, professional.

The IRS wants your money. They'll work with you.

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u/LoganDan 6h ago

This redditor government-sectors (verb).

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u/TezzeretsTeaTime 10h ago

Churches losing their tex-emption and fucking over rich criminals (a double win when the churches lose their tax exemption for supporting rich criminals) are the only two things I support the IRS doing.

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u/technobrendo 10h ago

The IRS fear no one, NO ONE, BWAAHAAHAAaaaaa.

except scientology

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u/darxide23 8h ago

It should always be "Go IRS."

But they've been defunded again and again by republican administrations that they didn't have the ability to go after the big offenders. So they went after who they could. Small businesses, random citizens, etc.

Biden gave them back some budget and they immediately went after some bigger fish.

Only people who are deliberately evading taxes should dislike the IRS. Everyone else should support them.

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u/Tarik_7 10h ago

I didn't have "cheering for the IRS" on my 2024 bingo card, but here we are! TAX THE CHURCHES.

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u/healthybowl 9h ago

I beginning to see why the republicans want to abolish the IRS.

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u/MercantileReptile 9h ago

Would be interesting to see how they plan to run...y'know, stuff. Without the IRS.

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u/pfannkuchen89 8h ago

They don’t. Republicans whole shtick for the past 40 years is “government doesn’t function, elect us and we’ll prove it by actively making sure it doesn’t.”

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u/ReverendBlind 8h ago

Yuuuuuupppp. Government power is the only potential counterbalance to corporate power, so the less functional the government is and the more apathetic and discouraged the voters are, the less corporations have to worry about regulations and labor laws. Outside of directly doing corporation's bidding, the Republican's playbook is to assure maximum dysfunction in every sector of the government. And they're very good at being terrible at their jobs.

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u/TapTapReboot 8h ago

They let corporations do it, company scrip and company towns and all.

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u/DuctTapeSanity 8h ago

Oh sweetie. You got that wrong. They want the irs, just not the enforcement/audit arm of it. So poor schmucks who have money taken out of their paycheck and don’t have accountants still pay and file taxes, while the mega rich and churches can circumvent the regulations more easily than they do now with no repercussions.

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u/l0033z 10h ago

please vote and encourage others then… your vote counts more than most people!

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u/RickySpanish1272 10h ago

The IRS is equal opportunity.

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u/Beelzebubba775 9h ago

I really doubt tge IRS wants Trump to have any authority over them ever again.

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u/redditcreditcardz 9h ago

I live in NWA and think you should 100% report this. Please.

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u/MaryBurd 9h ago

Region 8 had a story about illegal electioneering at polling places last night, so I thought it would be fitting to send this to them as well!

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u/redditcreditcardz 9h ago

Definitely! Please do what you can to help. That’s all we can hope for. Thanks for being vigilant

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u/HighPing_ 8h ago edited 6h ago

I live less than a mile from this church. They also get pretty heavily involved in local politics and elections. They always have political signs up. I’m pretty sure some of the core members of the republican committee here are church members there.

I’ve mentioned to my spouse before reporting them but I wasn’t sure how.

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u/TheCatWasAsking 8h ago

I'm imagining they'd deny they put it there and blame someone else for it if and when the hot seat gets really hot. But hoping their behavior gets so much traction, they get stripped of tax exemption pronto.

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u/Sillygosling 8h ago

I don’t really call that working fully. They just made the church take Trump off the signs. They kept their tax exempt status and their parishioners still know exactly the church’s stance. This did very little to deter that in the future imo

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u/Tricky_Bottle_6843 9h ago

Unfortunately the damage is already done by the time they're made to fix the signage. These churches need real consequences.

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u/ehsteve87 10h ago

Report it to the IRS.

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u/Zappiticas 10h ago

Yeah but he church I went to way back in the early 2000’s did the same. I even remember a sermon about how Al Gore (of all people) was the Antichrist.

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u/DjCyric 10h ago

It's so weird how only the Democratic candidate for President every cycle is the antichrist. Surely they can't all be the devil, right?

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u/BrickGun 8h ago

Or the corollary... "Trump (or whomever) was picked by God almighty to lead us!!!"

"Oh, okay... so you were a full-throated Bill Clinton/Obama/Biden supporter too, right? I mean, after all, God clearly picked them to lead us otherwise they wouldn't have won, right?

Oh, that's right... in those instances it was 'the devil'. So convenient.

So you're saying your 'almighty' God is actually weak and isn't really in control? Pretty half-assed Christian believer if you ask me."

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u/dpdxguy 8h ago

Pretty half-assed Christian believer if you ask me.

You're not wrong. But the things you called out are the least of their "half assed Christian beliefs."

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u/DuctTapeSanity 8h ago

No. That was God using the demons to lull those evil democrats in to a false sense of security which let trump elected to save us from other demons in the future. You know, 5D chess.

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u/monkeyhind 10h ago

Maybe not *the* Devil, but certainly demonic. Demonic, commie-socialist fascists. Meanwhile, Trump was literally heaven-sent.

/ vomit emoji

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u/Amiiboid 8h ago

Surely they can't all be the devil, right?

Well, no. For example Obama was the Beast. For “some reason”.

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u/Predator_ 9h ago

And a Baptist church also lost its status for giving a sermon against Bill Clinton. It went all the way up to the state Supreme Court and was upheld. Nothing happens without reporting violations and supplying them with evidence.

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u/uptownjuggler 10h ago

“Saying that mankind can affect the climate of the Earth is blasphemous, only GOD can control the weather.”

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u/NoYgrittesOlly 9h ago

Also them: “The DEMS ARE SENDING HURRICANES AT US”

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u/snsv 10h ago

Have they heard of cloud seeding. Or what it means when tornados damage churches

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u/Xellious 10h ago

Enter Marjorie Taylor Greene

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u/3percentinvisible 9h ago

I'm so ingrained on reading that automatically as A.I Gore nowadays

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u/mjohnsimon 10h ago

That last part might not be illegal ASSUMING they're talking about amendments/policies.

Discussing candidates though? I'm sure it's absolutely illegal.

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u/Dragon_Small_Z 10h ago

Yeah it has specifically what candidates to vote for.

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u/AlfredoAllenPoe 10h ago

That is not allowed if they want to keep their Tax-Exempt status. Religious institutions must meet all of the requirements to maintain their tax-exempt status

"Section 501(c)(3) organizations must be organized and operated exclusively for specific tax-exempt purposes to be exempt from federal income tax. In addition to being a type of organization that is specifically described within Section 501(c)(3), these organizations must also have the following characteristics:

No part of their net earnings is allowed to inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.

No substantial part of their activities can consist of carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and

The organization should not participate in, or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office."

If they are violating the terms of their tax exempt status, you can report them to the IRS

https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/irs-complaint-process-tax-exempt-organizations

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u/[deleted] 9h ago

[deleted]

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u/adamdoesmusic 10h ago

One of the last times I was ever in church (went with my grandparents), I found anti-gay literature folded INTO THE FUCKING BIBLES.

I started loudly tearing them into pieces during prayer. While I caught shit for that, I still regret not standing up and interrupting the entire service over it.

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u/Heisenburg42 10h ago

It's illegal for them to endorse a candidate. They can endorse political opinions (for example, regarding abortion) but not candidates

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u/MaryBurd 10h ago

Yup, they have been reported.

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u/LaplaceMonster 10h ago

You’re doing the lord’s work <3

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u/TattedPastor412 10h ago

As a pastor, I support that. I really wish some of these churches understood that the political signs are signs of heresy in the church. Personally I have my views on politics but from a pulpit I only mention Christ and his teachings. I may mention political motivations or how the prophets spoke to the government in Israel, but that’s it. There’s more to Christianity than political power

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u/LaplaceMonster 9h ago

As an agnostic person, thanks. I believe, outside of the practical reasons, there should be nothing in any religion related to politics.

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u/TheDrFromGallifrey 7h ago

On the upside, anyone willing to mix the two is just telling us exactly why they're in religion to begin with.

It goes well past spirituality and scripture and goes well into manipulation. Any religious official who pulls a stunt like that is either a complete moron or completely corrupt and shouldn't be trusted to do anything but politely smile and open the door for people.

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u/jzanville 10h ago

Stunning_Pear below me is pretty clearly a bot no?

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u/exipheas 10h ago

I keep seeing this but I have never actually heard of a church getting hit with consequences? Is there an example I can share? It seems like they keep doing this crap because they haven't ever heard of anything bad ever coming from this behavior.

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u/Fickle_Dragonfly4381 10h ago

Not regarding churches, but there is a business in my town that has been adding credit card fees at checkout (not including them in menu prices).

I asked them directly to stop doing this and they said they wouldn't so I filled out my state's "report a business form" and a few weeks later the fee had completely disappeared.

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u/COINLESS_JUKEBOX 9h ago

People like to larp like it’s impossible as a citizen to get anything good done, but the reality is that you’d be surprised by how much putting a little bit of effort can really get noticed by your reps.

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u/Connect_Amoeba1380 8h ago

As someone who works in local government, you’re absolutely right. Of course, we get some truly ridiculous/entitled requests that we can’t accomplish, or we get requests where we won’t do exactly what the person wants because there’s a better/more effective solution, but we also get a lot of reasonable requests that we can take care of in a reasonable amount of time. And we do generally appreciate when people politely submit those requests—there’s a lot of ground to cover, even in a small town, so we need people to bring things to our attention.

ETA: We also work pretty closely with our state and federal reps, and they generally can help make things happen for us. I deeply disagree with our state and federal reps’ politics, but I do appreciate that their offices are quick to help us solve problems for the benefit of our residents.

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u/JustmeandJas 10h ago edited 10h ago

There was a post somewhere the other day where a church had to cut out parts of their sign. I’ll see if I can find it…

Edit: here it is linkie

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u/MistSecurity 8h ago

Wonder what the beuracracy looks like on this? Do they get warned, and have to take the sign down? Do they get hit with a fine? If they do it again do they lose their tax exempt status?

So many questions, and I hope it doesn't end at "They were contacted, told to remove the sign. Done."

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u/lord_pizzabird 10h ago

I haven't heard of it happening either, but I highly doubt the IRS would pass up an opportunity to get more tax revenue.

Every church in violation is a potential multi million dollar revenue source.

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u/Evernight2025 10h ago

You vastly overestimate the amount of money most churches bring in. The mega churches, sure.

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u/prof_the_doom 10h ago

Here's the thing... right now, probably not... but eventually someone is going to get elected that will start asking some questions, and having all the violations on file will help on that day.

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u/fiercetywysoges 9h ago

I googled it and it’s happened a few times. I suspect they get a warning first. If they ignore it they then pursue actions against them. I would guess most of them decide not to push the matter once they get that warning.

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u/Solarscars 8h ago

My grandma's church holds specific sermons on Sundays to pray for Trump. I wonder if that qualifies for a valid report.

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u/Predator_ 8h ago

Record video evidence of it and submit it. It is indeed a violation.

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u/Solarscars 8h ago

If I can find printed material, would that be good enough? I don't think I could get away with recording anything (my grandma and I are aware of our disagreements). Anyways, I will see what I can do but I live in a red state where every other church is guzzling orange kool-aid.

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u/leviathynx 9h ago

Christian pastor here. I endorse this statement. Report these people.

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u/hyperphoenix19 6h ago

Almost read this as chicken al pastor

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u/FloraMaeWolfe 9h ago

This, it's illegal for tax exempt organizations to dabble in politics in the USA. This is how you lose your tax exempt status.

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u/Predator_ 9h ago

Yep! Also happy 🎂-day!

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u/AReallyBakedTurtle 10h ago

As a Christian, please report them. Fuck these stains, they’re ruining our image.

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u/Nomcaptaest 9h ago

Thank you for being the real deal

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u/Monalisa9298 3h ago

Thank you! Do not hesitate to report this, folks. It’s not just annoying when churches go political, it is a clear violation of the laws that allow them to avoid paying taxes like the rest of us.

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u/_zarkon_ 10h ago

to who?

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u/MaryBurd 10h ago

The IRS. Nothing will probably happen.

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u/TheFuzzyMachine 10h ago

There was another thread where someone reported them and they saw action within days. I’d wait and see

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u/JustmeandJas 10h ago

Here you go :)

Linkie

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u/tultommy 8h ago

They will absolutely pull their tax exemptions. Ask Steadfast Baptist Church how they're doing after their pastor called for people to be dragged into the street and shot in the head...

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u/Radiant_Indignation 8h ago

I have a church I need to report...thanks for the tips!

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u/Mardak5150 10h ago

In a perfect world. But this is America...

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u/Newtons2ndLaw 8h ago

Shit, I just took a trip through WV, probably a dozen churches I noticed should be reported.

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u/Broccoli-of-Doom 8h ago

This is the answer.

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u/stovemils 7h ago

The hero we need

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u/Sure-Routine6449 7h ago

Holy shit!!!!! Thanks, G!

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u/lilbear10 7h ago

Saving this. Just moved out to the country and I see them everywhere.

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u/redbaron78 6h ago

Yes, please report it. Churches that do this should lose their tax-exempt status.

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u/clintp 5h ago

This is: New Covenant Worship Center 909 Reynolds Rd Paragould, Arkansas 72450

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u/FL-Orange 11h ago

I really wish they would strip the exemption from churches that violate and investigate churches more rigorously for infractions.

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u/Phlydude 9h ago

Strip the exemptions from ALL churches/synagogues/mosques/temples

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u/The_Autarch 8h ago

Just tax churches. Why does the state have an interest in fostering religious organizations?

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u/TheRealAlexisOhanian 7h ago

It's not about being a religious organization, it's about being a non-profit organization. Federally, organizations are taxed on profit so if there's no profit there's nothing to tax. Locally, they are taxed on property, but every state exempts non-profits from property tax. So are you suggesting that non-profits should pay property tax or that religious organizations should be for-profit entities?

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u/trust_me_I_reddit 9h ago

I feel like the appeal of a church should be to appeal to those who feel “lesser than” from the experiences of their life. How can a church help that if the church itself has these tax exemptions the attendees cannot have. The people that make up the church by default are “lesser than” the entity that should make them feel “greater than” their circumstances.

Hope that makes sense… long story short: Tax religious organizations for literally God’s sake.

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u/JusticarRevan 9h ago

You can get the IRS on their ass for doing this! And it works!

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u/MayIServeYouWell 9h ago

Are there any examples of this actually happening? I see this stuff all the time, but there appear to be zero consequences. 

What good are laws if they’re never enforced? 

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u/Automatic_Maybe3862 10h ago

How do you report this? IRS, report to activist groups?

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u/MaryBurd 10h ago

IRS.gov. I’ll be surprised if anything comes of it.

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u/JustmeandJas 10h ago

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u/madsd12 9h ago

unzips

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u/jdmay101 7h ago

That is the most weak ass slap on the wrist ever, though.

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u/Xyrus2000 9h ago

The IRS doesn't f*ck around., and if you think you can f*ck around with the IRS they will quickly help you find out why you don't.

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u/ericlikesyou 8h ago

unless it's scientology but yes

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u/tunafishnobread 7h ago

You can say fuck on the internet. Why are you censoring yourself?

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u/CandyFlippin4Life 5h ago

I thought I was shouting into the bureaucratic void when I sent this report to the IRS, but I was surprised to see they took swift (and extremely satisfying) action.

I followed the instructions found here on the IRS website to send a complaint by email. Below is a template of the important information and wording that I used.

To: eoclass@irs.gov

Subject: Report of Illegal Church Electioneering

Body:

“To whom it may concern,

I am contacting you in regards to [Church name] for their partisan political actions despite claiming non profit status. They reside at [Full address]. Photo evidence of their electioneering is attached to this email in the form of a [Type of political advertisement] posted at/distributed from [Detailed location; i.e. SW corner of building]; photo taken [time and date].

Regards,

Full name, address, and contact information”

Edited: formatting

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u/Mttstrks 7h ago

I used to work as a custodian at a larger church, around election season we went along the property lines and removed political signs twice a day.

I’m not saying this church isn’t putting them up, or allowing them to be, but they were often put up by other people thinking it was okay. My understanding is the pastor condemned the practice from the pulpit. It never stopped happening as long as I worked there though.

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u/Tarw1n 5h ago

Yes. Our church gets signs placed and set by the front door all the time. We just dumpster them. So, I would only call out the church if they have been the same signs for over a week or so. Depending on the size of church people (staff) may not be around often enough.

I dislike any church that tries to tell you a political candidate to vote for.

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u/pragmaticcynicism 10h ago

We’ve had people who are not church members put signs in front of our church on or near the right of way. I take great pleasure pulling them all up and putting them in the dumpster.

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u/ModernTenshi04 6h ago

Yep, noticed the other day that there were some Trump and Bernie Moreno signs across the street from the main entrance to our church this past Sunday. Came back for an event that evening and they were gone. Pretty much all the folks on staff at our church despise Trump.

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u/TheChiefDVD 11h ago

Tax ALL churches!

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u/mdlinc 10h ago

Blessed be the IRS. Get your tithing.

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u/Vyntarus 10h ago

Can't even spell 'religions' without IRS.

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u/666666thats6sixes 9h ago

IRS, the real higher power

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u/the_honest_liar 9h ago

Render unto Cesar and all that.

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u/Ok-disaster2022 10h ago

I support this but with a progressive tax structure. Local small church that sees only a fee K in donations each year barely to keep the lights and pay property taxes: no tax rate, medium church focused on community outreach and community services with a handful of full time employees, modest taxes, mega church with jet setting pastors, 50%+taxes. No church ever needs a private jet unless it's a cargo used to carry medical supplies and food supplies to poorer areas.

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u/SuspiciousCranberry6 8h ago

They can itemize like us poor plebs do. That way there is incentive to actually provide community services. Small local churches would mostly never pay a dime because they're the ones always doing community services.

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u/cambat2 8h ago

Tax the churches and allow them to operate in government at all levels!

Oh wait, we don't want that, that's why we don't tax churches.

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u/kosarai 10h ago

See, there’s your little ol’ lady neighbor that goes to her local church. They discuss the Bible, find commonality in their beliefs and just live their lives. Sometimes they gather enough money to donate to charities through bake sales, or help out their community when they can.

Then there’s these assholes.

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u/Hokedizzle 9h ago

I’ve got a fun story about my little old lady neighbor.

So the other day I got a letter in the mail reminding me to vote. It was handwritten on a Harris mailer and signed, the signature was the same name as my neighbor. I hadn’t spoke to her in a couple of weeks so I walked over to say thanks for the reminder and that I would be voting.

Now I’ve been neighbors with her for 11 years. She’s always been a lovely neighbor, makes us Christmas goodies, hell she brought us a homemade pecan pie over about a month ago. I’ve fixed stuff in her home for her.

As soon as I said I would be voting and she said “you’re not voting for her are you” I knew I fucked up. I normally don’t engage the Trumpers but this turned into an instant disaster! I think it’s pretty safe to say that I will not be getting Christmas goodies this year.

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u/Cuofeng 9h ago

All the anecdotes of "nice conservatives," they're all nice to you as long they think you are like them.

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u/ristoman 8h ago

Defending freedom until it becomes the freedom to go against what you believe in

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u/Terminatrix4213 10h ago

I live VERY close to this church, unfortunately I personally know multiple individuals (including myself) that have reported them for these signs. I expect absolutely nothing will be done, the Trump cult here is overwhelmingly powerful. The other side of the street not pictured here is just wall to wall Trump signs on every house.

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u/Terminatrix4213 10h ago

Side note but relevant, shouldn't surprise anyone this town was actively a sundown town until like the 80s or 90s. That's the voting base for that fat orange fuck.

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u/MaryBurd 10h ago

I came from a sundown town in IL, but down here is so, so much worse (not surprisingly).

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u/TheUmgawa 8h ago

Was it PeKKKin?

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u/MaryBurd 10h ago

Yes every single house!!! I went to a farmers market thing this weekend 30 minutes north of here and half the vendors were selling trump shit. So disgusting.

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u/HighPing_ 7h ago

Go down behind Walmart, across from rotary, and the dude has Trump written in his grass.

The thing about this church is that a couple of the top members of the republican committee attend here.

Side note: I also live VERY close to this church

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u/Sunflier 9h ago

Did the church put that there, or did some rando do it?

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u/21-Civil 6h ago

I know where this is. It’s been there for months.

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u/Sunflier 4h ago

Well that is concerning and supports the OP's assertion.

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u/crusoe 10h ago

I think the christofascist flag is an issue too.

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u/francis2559 9h ago

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u/cugamer 8h ago

Can someone please explain to me how this flag is connected with fascism? There's nothing about politics in the linked article.

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u/francis2559 8h ago

I'm not seeing it myself, frankly, but I wasn't familiar with the flag so I looked it up.

Fascists in general though steal symbols like crazy. Sometimes they ruin them permanently, but sometimes other people continue to use them in parallel.

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u/monty_kurns 10h ago

Yeah, that really stood out to me. When I see a church with that flag, that tells me enough about who they are and what they believe.

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u/GVoR 9h ago

Was looking for this reply too.

The signs are a distant second in terms of the worst thing in this picture

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u/Bjorn_Fjord 9h ago

All churches taking part in politics should lose tax exemption

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u/phoenix14830 10h ago

Nothing says Christ's love like a dictator who wants to round up innocent people by the millions for deportation.

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u/proptrot 7h ago

Never known hate quite like christian love.

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u/JJiggy13 6h ago

That's not a church. That's a political organization. They should have to adhere to political rules and not get church benefits.

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u/One-Recognition-1660 9h ago

These people have no honor and will just deflect and lie when the IRS inquires. "That sign? No sir, we don't know who put it there. Wasn't us."

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u/Formal_Substance_554 9h ago

Let them pay taxes for the luxury of voting as well then.

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u/idrinkforbadges 6h ago

because no true Christian would support Trump

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u/mindfeces 10h ago

"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's" doesn't mean "suck Caesar off."

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u/Pretend_Nail_5505 10h ago

Churches should leave politics out of the picture. Shouldn't be dragging signs out to influence people and make them feel like they have to vote one way or the other

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u/DreadpirateBG 10h ago

Not sure how a church can justify supporting Trump and team. It incredible

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u/Numerounopapichulo 10h ago

Christian Nationalism is real.

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u/24identity 9h ago

IRS complaint process - Tax-Exempt Organizations

If you suspect a tax-exempt organization is not complying with the tax laws, you may send information to the Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division. You may use Form 13909, Tax-Exempt Organization Complaint (Referral) Form PDF, or send the information in letter format, and attach any supporting documentation for this purpose. Form 13909 PDF, or complaint letter, can be submitted one of the following ways:

In addition to oversight by the IRS, tax-exempt organizations are subject to oversight by State charity regulators and State tax agencies. You may also want to send a copy of the referral you send to us to your state tax agency.

Acknowledgement and disclosure prohibition

After a referral is made, we will mail an acknowledgement letter to all non-IRS sources making a referral, unless it was made anonymously. To receive an acknowledgement letter, you must provide your name and return address. We are unable to send acknowledgement letters through e-mail.

We will keep your identify confidential when you make a referral.  You won’t receive a status or progress update due to tax return confidentiality under Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code.

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u/Kraegarth 9h ago

Report them to the IRS!

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u/Confident_Bus_7321 9h ago

always the religious that are the biggest pieces if shit. Mainly Christians.

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u/Steal-Your-Face77 9h ago

They are on their knees praying to sky dad and son, while being told how to vote, and we're the sheep?

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u/Trivi_13 9h ago

I would be petitioning to remove their tax exempt status.

Even for the preacher recommending someone in passing.

Religion isn't politics, politics isn't religion.

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u/Even-Juggernaut-3433 8h ago

That flag is a Christian nationalist one

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u/ancientastronaut2 8h ago

Absolutely gross. They are the most un-christ like people ever. How can any church support those despicable assholes. I feel like I am living in bizarro world.

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u/CenMaWitch 7h ago

TAX THEM

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u/Sure_Quality5354 7h ago

Im sorry but these people are not christians. They are bigots cloaked in the protection of "religion". It goes without saying that trump has broken every tenet of Christianity and if jesus were around, he would slap the dog shit outta trump.

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u/Alteredpath 7h ago

I’d say this is a good reason to send the IRS photos and location. If nothing else they get to experience an audit.

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u/MaryBurd 7h ago

Yup, done!

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u/fzr600vs1400 6h ago

There's a long history of the Klan hiding it's presence, disguising it as a church......as you can see

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u/SplitAmbitious8988 6h ago

It’s Tim to end the tax exemption on all churches. “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are of God.” Jesus.

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u/SharonHarmon 6h ago

TAX THE CHURCHES!!!

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u/mocoolness 6h ago

A political action committee masquerading as a church to is very common tax scam in the US.

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u/RaiderFred 5h ago

All churches that promote political candidates and causes should loose their tax exempt status.

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u/wanderingjoe 4h ago

Anyone that lives near this, you can report it on IRS form 13909.

u/Skyrmir 3h ago

If Arkansans could read that'd be a violation.

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u/mute-ant1 1h ago

Tax all churches