I was recently made aware of a Politico article exposing a little known tax scheme aimed at non-profits (including churches, synagogues, colleges and hospitals) that your government has devised to regulate your parking lot.
Yes, you read that correctly…
The United States Government wants to regulate and tax the parking lots of American non-profit organizations. It’s insatiable desire to tax is again aimed at local churches.
If you don’t believe me you can read the article at:
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/16/congress-tax-reform-irs-churches-parking-1027598
The “TAX CUTS AND JOB ACT” has specifically outlined that non-profit organizations which provide any usage of special parking for it’s employees is now subject to be taxed. The IRS has even benevolently written a 24-page guide as to how this tax is to be calculated. But not to worry if the calculation formulas seem confusing or overwhelming. The IRS has already issued a statement that non-profits will be in compliance as long as they use any “reasonable” method to derive their tax. Which basically states that as long as you are sending them money, everything is fine.
Well friends…it’s not fine with me. When it comes to taxing churches (or synagogues for that matter), no matter how benign it may initially appear, the line is unambiguous and clear. The government needs to keep it’s voracious regulatory appetite out of the finances and any of the hiring practices or perks of a local church. It’s legislation like this that is causing untold numbers of sincere religious folks (especially Christians), to again sense a growing hostility to people of faith. Why does our government, which was established on a sacrosanct view of the First Amendment, continually feel the need to control the nation’s churches? (See my blog articles on the First Amendment v. The Johnson Amendment to IRS Code 501 (c) 3.)
Honestly, the legislation is easy enough to critique based on Religious Freedom grounds (or sheer silliness), but the greater conversation may more importantly revolve around what such legislation says about our current state of government.
1. Parasitical Reputation
One more time our federal government demonstrates its insatiable hunger for more money. It will relentlessly attempt to attach itself to any successful enterprise and suck the blood (money) out of it. Interestingly, when ancient Israel demanded a King to be like other nations and have what they had, the Lord reminded them that they would be taxed relentlessly (see I Samuel 8:10-18). Their demand was actually an indicator that their trust in the transcendent God was wavering and they were desiring more earthly assurances and safety. The problem arises that governments can never be satisfied. There is always a reason for the need of more money to provide “more services”. At what point will a people say, “Enough”, especially when you consider the money is coming from a sacrosanct arena.
2. Egalitarian Confusion
It appears that the current government mission of our era is to provide some kind of egalitarian utopia to it’s citizenry no matter how convoluted or confused it might actually be. No one that I know would resist the idea that “all people are created equal”. Even in the most conservative of Christian circles there is no resistance to the bedrock American affirmation that people should be treated equally and with fairness. That being said, egalitarian concerns are always weighed in the light of opportunities and the market place. Custodians, engineers, lawyers, fast food cashiers and physicians are all needed, but they all have different sets of skills and compensatory value. While we respect all people, it might be wise to have the doctors park closer to the ER in case they have to run in for an emergency. Perhaps to attract professionals to a non-profit organization located in an urban area which traditionally pays less than private business, it might be beneficial to offer a “parking space” as a perk to avoid prohibitive parking fees.
The federal government may not intend to demonstrate this, but there appears to be a relentless focus on making sure everyone is “equal” in every aspect of compensation. It smacks of socialism. It reeks of trying to create some egalitarian utopia which controls even the place you park. With regards to churches and pastoral parking areas, I almost have to laugh. Really? The federal government wants to tax a church for honoring their pastor with a parking space? If I were lawmakers I would be embarrassed. If I know churches, the signs might come down reserving the spot, but the parking lot crew will put out cones early Sunday morning.
3. Theocratic Delusion
Why does the federal government think it can control the internal operations of a local church? It’s because the state continually seeks to place itself in the position of God by controlling and regulating every aspect of the practical expression of religion. No matter what one personally thinks about “reserved” parking spaces, if a church practices the biblical concept of “honor” by providing a special location for its pastor to park, then why does government get to control that? The simple answer is that the state honestly believes it’s power is greater than any other power.
I would challenge this legislation purely on the basis of principle. It is intrusive and smacks of a thief attempting to get its foot in the door to confiscate money from a place it has no business. As silly as the legislation sounds, I would encourage churches, leaders and pastors to drop a note to their representatives and let them know they missed it big time with this legislation. It also reeks of D.C.’s typical hypocrisy. While they control where people park out here, they will continue to have their special reserved parking spaces there. It’s another prime example of why limited government is desperately needed. Although the one upside is that orange cone sales in America might actually increase.
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