08-09-2017, 07:34 AM
Actually, I DID mean taxing all on-profits, but I can be convinced that there are ways to tax the wealthiest of non-profits w/o hurting the poorest. As far as monies coming into the observatories going to operations, wages, research and outreach, when you think about it, monies coming into for-profits goes into operations and wages as well. It's the research and public outreach that are supposed to make them worthy of tax-free status.
e.g., it's supposed to be community service that give religious organizations the status of not paying taxes. The idea is that if an organization gives, and only gives, to the community, then it can be considered non-profit. It's debatable for a lot of non-profits for sure, especially mega churches that own tons of real estate and pay no property taxes or other fees to support infrastructure when their properties cause wear and tear on the infrastructure by their very use.
It's an argument being had worldwide. What constitutes a non-profit? What makes it worthy of not paying taxes?
Here's a good list of the types of non-profits in the U.S.: https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.c...ntent.view&cpid=1559. I would argue that a lot of these don't deserve special status.
e.g., it's supposed to be community service that give religious organizations the status of not paying taxes. The idea is that if an organization gives, and only gives, to the community, then it can be considered non-profit. It's debatable for a lot of non-profits for sure, especially mega churches that own tons of real estate and pay no property taxes or other fees to support infrastructure when their properties cause wear and tear on the infrastructure by their very use.
It's an argument being had worldwide. What constitutes a non-profit? What makes it worthy of not paying taxes?
Here's a good list of the types of non-profits in the U.S.: https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.c...ntent.view&cpid=1559. I would argue that a lot of these don't deserve special status.