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Tax office wants charities monitored (Read 3571 times)
Sir lastnail
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Tax office wants charities monitored
Jul 27th, 2010 at 12:57pm
 
It's about time the tax department started to scrutinize these scammers who hide behind the cloak of religion whilst hoarding valuable assets for themselves. People should wake up to themselves and stop giving them money  Sad

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/tax-office-wants-charities-monitored/s...

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Tax office wants charities monitored

THE tax office wants a special body set up to monitor "not-for-profit" charities, admitting that churches such as the multi-million-dollar phenomenon Hillsong are "invisible" to them.
And the sector is expanding so rapidly that $30 billion a year is now being drawn out of the Federal Budget in tax exemptions to the ever-expanding list of groups claiming church and charity status.

The push to put the not-for-profit groups under greater financial scrutiny comes amid revelations that senior pastors of mega church Hillsong and their families enjoy lavish lifestyles virtually tax free.

The Sunday Herald Sun can also reveal Hillsong founder Brian Houston uses a not-for-profit company, Leadership Ministries Inc, to fund a burgeoning tax-free global preaching empire.

LMI and other tax-free companies in the Hillsong network provide housing, cars, overseas travel, accommodation, credit cards and other perks free of fringe benefits or income tax.


Since LMI was set up in 2001 the Houston family's relationship with the company has included:


PROPERTY deals that have earned Houston and wife Bobbie $1.3 million. The Houstons are still tenants of the waterfront properties at Bondi Beach and Wilberforce on the Hawkesbury River.

A $1 MILLION FBT-free expense account each year for five employees, including the Houstons.

FULLY funded overseas tours where Mr Houston can earn up to US$20,000 a speech in "love offerings" on the international preaching circuit.

THE refund of all GST paid by the Houstons in their pastoral duties back to LMI.

THE creation of a network of offshore Hillsong subsidiaries.

Assemblies of God pastors around Australia take 75-90 per cent of their salaries as tax-free fringe benefits.

Hillsong finance director Peter Ridley, who is also the public officer of LMI, said the pastor paid personal income tax and had "a personal salary package" of just over $300,000.

Mr Houston added: "My salary has been consistent throughout the year and includes fringe benefits. I pay personal income tax."
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In August 2021, Newcastle Coroner Karen Dilks recorded that Lisa Shaw had died “due to complications of an AstraZeneca COVID vaccination”.
 
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perceptions_now
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Re:  Tax office wants charities monitored
Reply #1 - Jul 27th, 2010 at 1:16pm
 
I would suggest that Charities & Churches should both be monitored, in fact, they should both be TAXED, but with deductions for their charity related work, within fair accounting practices!

In particular, there are many organisations that call themselves a Church, pretty much in name only, purely to get the tax concessions associated with being a church.

That said, there are also more mainstream churches, who are not taxed, despite running very large commercial enterprises and their charity work is much smaller than their full size organisation.

There are also some non church "charities", which deserve to be scrutinized, for some interesting practices.  
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Bobby.
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Re:  Tax office wants charities monitored
Reply #2 - Jul 27th, 2010 at 3:50pm
 
As far as I'm concerned - they are all scams.
Priests & Nuns drive around in better cars than me
& yet I have to pay extreme tax.
They paying nothing & live lavish life styles
while the poor go hungry.

The Catholic Church is super rich.
They have say:  1 billion members.
If each gives one dollar a week -
that's a billion dollars a week coming in or
52 billion dollars in one year - tax free.
That's a good business!
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shampain socialist
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Re:  Tax office wants charities monitored
Reply #3 - Jul 27th, 2010 at 3:58pm
 
how much does the labor party "earn"? Hmm?
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Team Froggie
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Re:  Tax office wants charities monitored
Reply #4 - Jul 27th, 2010 at 7:00pm
 
I'd like to see them start by publicising CEO's salary packages.

Bet there would be more than a few shockers.
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"What's in store for me in the direction I don't take?"-Jack Kerouac.
 
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Ex Dame Pansi
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Re:  Tax office wants charities monitored
Reply #5 - Jul 27th, 2010 at 7:59pm
 
Churches are corporations, they should pay the same tax as any other corporation. If they are ever made to pay tax, the money would come out of whatever they designate to the needy. They would make sure the church keeps the bulk of monies.

If all churches put all their earnings into feeding the poor, there would be no hunger in the world, but grand buildings and other luxuries come first.
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"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." Hendrix
andrei said: Great isn't it? Seeing boatloads of what is nothing more than human garbage turn up.....
 
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White Dove
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Re:  Tax office wants charities monitored
Reply #6 - Jul 27th, 2010 at 9:41pm
 
Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Jul 27th, 2010 at 7:59pm:
Churches are corporations, they should pay the same tax as any other corporation. If they are ever made to pay tax, the money would come out of whatever they designate to the needy. They would make sure the church keeps the bulk of monies.

If all churches put all their earnings into feeding the poor, there would be no hunger in the world, but grand buildings and other luxuries come first.

Pansi is right.
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Soren
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Re:  Tax office wants charities monitored
Reply #7 - Jul 27th, 2010 at 11:39pm
 
Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Jul 27th, 2010 at 7:59pm:
Churches are corporations, they should pay the same tax as any other corporation. If they are ever made to pay tax, the money would come out of whatever they designate to the needy. They would make sure the church keeps the bulk of monies.

If all churches put all their earnings into feeding the poor, there would be no hunger in the world, but grand buildings and other luxuries come first.



Most of the churches' incomes come from voluntary donations, not production of goods or sale of services.

Here are some annual reports for a church. Be amazed.
http://presbyterysynod.sa.uca.org.au/publications/annual-reports.html
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Bobby.
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Re:  Tax office wants charities monitored
Reply #8 - Jul 27th, 2010 at 11:44pm
 
Hillsong is all about the prosperity message.
God wants you to be prosperous - rich.
You don't have to feel guilty that you have money
as long as you give some to them.

Show me the moneyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.
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shampain socialist
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Re:  Tax office wants charities monitored
Reply #9 - Jul 27th, 2010 at 11:51pm
 
Hillsong is australian anglo protestantism work ethic culture. It is old, not new. It is what drove the English reformation hundreds of years ago, and what drives American culture and politics right up to these times, including Australia. Recognise what drives your culture. English/Protestant/Socialism. You are *not* unique, your thought processes are the product of your cultural background. Sorry.
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Sir lastnail
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Re:  Tax office wants charities monitored
Reply #10 - Jul 28th, 2010 at 1:04am
 
Bobby. wrote on Jul 27th, 2010 at 11:44pm:
Hillsong is all about the prosperity message.
God wants you to be prosperous - rich.
You don't have to feel guilty that you have money
as long as you give some to them.

Show me the moneyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.


Whilst 40,000 children die of starvation or hunger related diseases each day, HillSux want their parishioners to think that God has a special plan for them and is more likely to answer their prayers for a better car, a better job, or a payrise,  whilst ignoring the plight of 40,000 starving children who's only need is a dollar's worth of food Sad

The message I get from HillSux  is that the more the wealthy country you live in the more likely God answers your prayers for more material wealth !! This would explain why God ignores the plight of children in impoverished countries Sad
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In August 2021, Newcastle Coroner Karen Dilks recorded that Lisa Shaw had died “due to complications of an AstraZeneca COVID vaccination”.
 
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Bobby.
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Re:  Tax office wants charities monitored
Reply #11 - Jul 28th, 2010 at 8:57am
 
Sir lastnail wrote on Jul 28th, 2010 at 1:04am:
Bobby. wrote on Jul 27th, 2010 at 11:44pm:
Hillsong is all about the prosperity message.
God wants you to be prosperous - rich.
You don't have to feel guilty that you have money
as long as you give some to them.

Show me the moneyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.


Whilst 40,000 children die of starvation or hunger related diseases each day, HillSux want their parishioners to think that God has a special plan for them and is more likely to answer their prayers for a better car, a better job, or a payrise,  whilst ignoring the plight of 40,000 starving children who's only need is a dollar's worth of food Sad

The message I get from HillSux  is that the more the wealthy country you live in the more likely God answers your prayers for more material wealth !! This would explain why God ignores the plight of children in impoverished countries Sad



Nail - so true  & yet heart breaking.
These selfish Christians make me sick.
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Soren
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Re:  Tax office wants charities monitored
Reply #12 - Jul 28th, 2010 at 1:16pm
 
Sir lastnail wrote on Jul 28th, 2010 at 1:04am:
Bobby. wrote on Jul 27th, 2010 at 11:44pm:
Hillsong is all about the prosperity message.
God wants you to be prosperous - rich.
You don't have to feel guilty that you have money
as long as you give some to them.

Show me the moneyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.


Whilst 40,000 children die of starvation or hunger related diseases each day, HillSux want their parishioners to think that God has a special plan for them and is more likely to answer their prayers for a better car, a better job, or a payrise,  whilst ignoring the plight of 40,000 starving children who's only need is a dollar's worth of food Sad

The message I get from HillSux  is that the more the wealthy country you live in the more likely God answers your prayers for more material wealth !! This would explain why God ignores the plight of children in impoverished countries Sad



It is not for me to defend Hillsong or any other church in particular but this is nothing more that eyewateringly stupid sloganeering. If you want to argue against charities or churches, you need to say something intelligent. Have a look at any church website and see what they are doing for others. Say how that is not enough or is misdirected, if you can.

But puffing yourself up with ignorant slogans of resentment is not enough of an argument, boys.
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Lisa Jones
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Re:  Tax office wants charities monitored
Reply #13 - Jul 28th, 2010 at 4:10pm
 
These selfish Christians make me sick.

- Bobby

Selfishness can be readily found/observed amongst non Christians too. Sad but also true.

Regards

Lisa
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If I let myself be bought then I am no longer free.

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Lisa Jones
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Re:  Tax office wants charities monitored
Reply #14 - Jul 28th, 2010 at 4:13pm
 
It is not for me to defend Hillsong or any other church in particular but this is nothing more that eyewateringly stupid sloganeering. If you want to argue against charities or churches, you need to say something intelligent. Have a look at any church website and see what they are doing for others. Say how that is not enough or is misdirected, if you can.

- Soren

Well said! I particularly loved this part: eyewateringly stupid sloganeering <-- May I use it from time to time .. please lol Tongue



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If I let myself be bought then I am no longer free.

HYPATIA - Greek philosopher, mathematician and astronomer (370 - 415)
 
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Lisa Jones
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Re:  Tax office wants charities monitored
Reply #15 - Jul 28th, 2010 at 4:15pm
 
As regards the ATO wanting charities monitored .. great!

If you have nothing to hide then you have nothing to fear. Right???
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If I let myself be bought then I am no longer free.

HYPATIA - Greek philosopher, mathematician and astronomer (370 - 415)
 
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Sir lastnail
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Re:  Tax office wants charities monitored
Reply #16 - Jul 29th, 2010 at 12:44am
 
Soren wrote on Jul 28th, 2010 at 1:16pm:
Sir lastnail wrote on Jul 28th, 2010 at 1:04am:
Bobby. wrote on Jul 27th, 2010 at 11:44pm:
Hillsong is all about the prosperity message.
God wants you to be prosperous - rich.
You don't have to feel guilty that you have money
as long as you give some to them.

Show me the moneyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.


Whilst 40,000 children die of starvation or hunger related diseases each day, HillSux want their parishioners to think that God has a special plan for them and is more likely to answer their prayers for a better car, a better job, or a payrise,  whilst ignoring the plight of 40,000 starving children who's only need is a dollar's worth of food Sad

The message I get from HillSux  is that the more the wealthy country you live in the more likely God answers your prayers for more material wealth !! This would explain why God ignores the plight of children in impoverished countries Sad



It is not for me to defend Hillsong or any other church in particular but this is nothing more that eyewateringly stupid sloganeering. If you want to argue against charities or churches, you need to say something intelligent. Have a look at any church website and see what they are doing for others. Say how that is not enough or is misdirected, if you can.

But puffing yourself up with ignorant slogans of resentment is not enough of an argument, boys.


Where does it say in the bible to build huge church structures with basketball courts and auditoriums ??

Jesus said to sell everything and give to the poor and yet these church institutions do the complete opposite. How many starving children's lives could be saved for the price of Brian Houston's 300K salary, seaside apartment and Harley Davidson Fatboy ??

These church institutions never help the needy using their own money. It's always other peoples money they grab from their parishioners and that's after they have siphoned most of it off to build up their own bank accounts and property portfolios Sad
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In August 2021, Newcastle Coroner Karen Dilks recorded that Lisa Shaw had died “due to complications of an AstraZeneca COVID vaccination”.
 
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Lisa Jones
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Re:  Tax office wants charities monitored
Reply #17 - Jul 29th, 2010 at 8:30am
 
Where does it say in the bible to build huge church structures with basketball courts and auditoriums ??

Jesus said to sell everything and give to the poor and yet these church institutions do the complete opposite. How many starving children's lives could be saved for the price of Brian Houston's 300K salary, seaside apartment and Harley Davidson Fatboy ??

These church institutions never help the needy using their own money. It's always other peoples money they grab from their parishioners and that's after they have siphoned most of it off to build up their own bank accounts and property portfolios

- last nail

You're no fool .. are you?

You hit the nail on the head with that comment Last Nail Smiley
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If I let myself be bought then I am no longer free.

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Re:  Tax office wants charities monitored
Reply #18 - Jul 29th, 2010 at 9:54am
 
Well while people are seeking to protect the privileged tax free status of churches, perhaps they could give one single reason why that should be so?

A church, or religion is not, by definition, a charity, and any charity that wants tax free status has to provide bona fides to display their merit. Religions should not be treated as special cases, they are merely associations of like minded people, who share a spiritual belief, and do not automatically deserve tax free status, on that account.
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Re:  Tax office wants charities monitored
Reply #19 - Jul 29th, 2010 at 10:01am
 

mozzaok - i see no reason why churches should have tax free status any more than the local football club should.

sure, either should be given credits for "charitable works".
One church I know of gives away about 20 ton of food every week, they deserve some ........ leeway for that sort of activity.

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mozzaok
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Re:  Tax office wants charities monitored
Reply #20 - Jul 29th, 2010 at 10:11am
 
I think any group that wants to set up a charity, should be allowed to do so, but there should be a clear demarcation between the charities funds, and those of the church, as I do not mind helping to support charities, but I strongly object to taxpayers supporting churches, and the clergy.
There are many volunteers who donate their time to charitable work but still pay all their personal tax duties and liabilities, and if the clergy wish to do charitable work, they should be treated no differently.
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Lisa Jones
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Re:  Tax office wants charities monitored
Reply #21 - Jul 29th, 2010 at 10:40am
 
Can't argue with that Mozza!
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If I let myself be bought then I am no longer free.

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Re:  Tax office wants charities monitored
Reply #22 - Jul 29th, 2010 at 10:51am
 


Quote:
........They brought the coin, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?"
     "Caesar's," they replied.

Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." .........
    


Mark 12:16,17

The coins belong to Caeser (the govt). Give the taxes where they are due.

A spiritual belief has nothing to do with the political governance.
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mozzaok
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Re:  Tax office wants charities monitored
Reply #23 - Jul 29th, 2010 at 11:04am
 
There was a Catholic, a Baptist, and a Jew, discussing how much they give to the church.
The catholic explained that he had a very large family to support, but he still always managed to find a little for the church.
The baptist proudly stated that he tithed a full 10% of his income.
The Jew said that he gave all his money to god.

ALL of it, the other two asked in amazement?

Yes the whole lot, every week I throw my pay packet up in the air, and god can take whatever he wants, and what falls back down is mine.
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OOPS!!! My Karma, ran over your Dogma!
 
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