I have written about the issue of church electioneering and the tax code a great deal over the years. Infact, bending and breaking the rules and offering up interpretations of convenience like Hammond's has been one of the central tactics of the religious right for a generation. The IRS has engaged in an active education campain about the rules governing politics and tax-exempt organizaitons, including churches, this year. The basic concept regarding tax-exempt groups, according to the IRS is this: "...all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office." What exactly does the agency mean by "intervention?" Here is the IRS clarification of the point.
What is Political Campaign Intervention?I would guess that someone will complain to with the IRS about the church's obvious electioneering, and that an appropriate investgation will take place. Bachmann's Democratic opponent, by the way, is Patty Wetterling
MegaChurch Pastor Campaigns for GOP Candidate in Church | 4 comments (4 topical, 0 hidden)
MegaChurch Pastor Campaigns for GOP Candidate in Church | 4 comments (4 topical, 0 hidden)
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