Comments on: Auditing Scientology: Reexamining Tax Exemption Eligibility

By: JP

JP — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 01:52:12 +0000

In reply to Cory. Lovely

By: Episode 41: Law Review Author Taylor Holley

Episode 41: Law Review Author Taylor Holley — Mon, 17 May 2021 11:38:17 +0000

[…] Taylor has never been involved in scientology, but grew up in Tampa which sparked her interest in scientology. Her paper is a wonderful summation and careful analysis of the law and makes a compelling argument that the IRS should revisit the exempt status of scientology. I wrote about this earlier. […]

By: Elaine Selan

Elaine Selan — Wed, 05 May 2021 14:47:47 +0000

Although the IRS has deemed Scientology tax-exempt, the City of Philadelphia has determined otherwise.

In a January, 2021 article of Philadelphia Magazine by Victor Fiorillo. In part…
…That being the case, the Church of Scientology might want to take care of the tax bill that it’s run up with the city over the last couple of years. According to Department of Revenue records, the organization owes the city $142,780 in delinquent real estate taxes, including interest and penalties, for the Chestnut Street development. That makes the church one of the city’s ten biggest real estate tax delinquents, based on the principal owed, and now a new tax bill has just come up in the amount of $108,294.

For nearly ten years, the church, traditionally tax-exempt thanks to its status as a non-profit religious organization, was not required to pay real estate taxes for the Chestnut Street properties. But that all changed in 2017.

“While the properties for several years did have an exemption, the [Office of Property Assessment] conducted an audit concerning the eligibility,” explains City of Philadelphia spokesperson Mike Dunn. “The Board of Revision of Taxes conducted a full hearing on the merits as a result of the audit and held that the properties were not eligible for an exemption. The decision of the Board of Revision of Taxes was appealed and remains pending. As the matter is now in litigation, I can’t get into more details than that.”

Philadelphia’s decision should set precedent for other cities and states to follow.

By: Buffy

Buffy — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 20:16:55 +0000

Do you think certain government agencies let The Church Of Scientology get away with the things they’re doing because they’re studying their tactics as a way to control citizens? I know that sounds crazy but I promise I’m perfectly sane. I’ve watched your videos about Scientology and I can’t understand why they’re getting away with the things they get away with. It’s very scary!

By: Laura O'Connor

Laura O'Connor — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 22:43:59 +0000

Please, please, please watch the documentary Ministry of Evil: The Twisted Cult of Tony Alamo. Their “church “ was also a business and was not paying their employees. David Kimbrough former IRS agent investigated them and had one of their front groups tax exemption status revoked.

By: Aquamarine

Aquamarine — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 04:54:37 +0000

In reply to Old Surfer Dude. OSD, you surfin' sweet-talkin' son of a gun, where've you been?? Unfaithful to me as usual, I'll be bound! I didn't know I was looking good but if you say so I'll believe it. Experience has shown I can be depended upon to believe anything.

By: Old Surfer Dude

Old Surfer Dude — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 16:14:18 +0000

In reply to Aquamarine. What did you get? BTW, you're looking good!

By: Diana Berrios

Diana Berrios — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 03:18:23 +0000

In reply to Sheryl Keefe Elam.

Please send it to me dberriossantiago@gmail.com

By: Loosing my Religion

Loosing my Religion — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 18:19:43 +0000

In reply to Forreal. Forreal. For this specific case (scn) I'd say yes.

By: Forreal

Forreal — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 16:23:28 +0000

In reply to Loosing my Religion. You are REALLY asking if gov agencies do their job with effectiveness? REALLY?