Should churches be taxed in Australia? YOUR SAY

Revelations a Queensland church pulled in almost $12 million in the past year as its raised money for a multimillion-dollar new facility has sparked debate over whether churches should be taxed. VOTE IN OUR POLL

Revelations a Sunshine Coast church pulled in almost $12 million in the past year as its raised money for a multimillion-dollar new facility has sparked debate over whether churches should be taxed.

The question sparked hundreds of comments across our social media pages with most saying churches should be subject to taxes, particularly if it could not be proven they were doing enough for the community.

Some cited the lavish riches of mega churches such as Hillsong, and the luxurious lifestyles of their pastors with mansions and Mercedes.

But others cited the charity and community work that many churches did which would cost governments a lot more to fund if churches were not supported.

Others pointed out that people giving to churches had already been taxed, and those donations were not tax deductible, so bringing in taxes would be double-dipping by governments.

What do you think? Join the conversation below or vote in our poll

WHAT YOUR HAD TO SAY

Roseanne Schneider

Not all churches are mega churches with lots of money. Many struggle financially but still manage to do much good in the community especially now with the cost of living. I know this from experience. Volunteers are not paid. They run food banks, shelters for abused women, clothes, but often companionship and friendship for the aged and those alone. Such as games mornings, morning teas, concerts etc. Loneliness is a curse of our society and even contributes to ill- health. If churches had to pay tax and even close down, who would do these things?

Julie Vogel

All religious organisations should pay tax …. So much wealth being hoarded, prime properties lying vacant except for an hour or two a week. Open the grounds and premises to assist homeless persons … sell some chalices etc to buy food for them

Ana Draper

Churches and the people in these churches carry a lot of the weight of society’s people problems that nobody else wants or cares about, being tax-exempt is the least the govt can do to help the organisations fund buildings, and workers that continue to do the good in our communities they do. Go pick on the other groups getting huge funding for reading story books to children dressed inappropriately in the libraries, or the groups getting huge funding for walking down main streets half naked for a solid month every year, or the career politicians sitting pretty with huge packages, lining their own pockets …. leave the church organisations alone!

Alison Courtice

‘Advancing religion’ should be removed as an exemption from paying tax and religious organisation’s charitable work then be treated exactly the same as non religious organisations charitable work and be tax free.

Scott Morrison and his wife pictured with former Hillsong church founder and pastor Brian Houston.

Myra Mawby

Absolutely some of the biggest richest money making organisations in the world loaded with funds to meddle in politics!

Narelle Henwood

It’s incredible how many people have intimate actual knowledge of church accounts to be able to say what churches are or aren’t doing with the resource they have. In my experience, churches mostly do a lot with very little. Governments would pay three times as much to deliver the charitable services that many churches in my region do.

Carolyn Stewart

When churches run businesses or are businesses – yes. Otherwise no.

Caity Hill

Billionaires should be taxed a hell of lot more too.

Amanda Jane

Absolutely not! Churches are the biggest charities for this country.

Food hampers, food vouchers, emergency housing, breakfast programs, youth programs … this is to name a few.

Besides churches have bills to pay also and staff to pay as well. If they are non for profit organisation then no.

Emma Rizeman

My personal opinion, as both a Christian and tax accountant … ALL entities should pay tax, including churches. However, if we consider the church to be a business for tax purposes, then we also need to treat monies spent on ministry, community outreach, charitable works etc as a deductible expense.

“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Mark 12:17

Life Church lead pastor Rick Emmerson and senior pastor Ashley Goode are behind the multimillion-dollar church being built at the former home of the Forest Glen Deer Sanctuary.

Keith Budge

Absolutely not! People who give (donate) to churches are giving from their after tax income. So the donations that churches receive have already been taxed. Taxing those donations again when received by the church would effectively be double taxing the money.

Harpazo Imminent

I don’t know much about this church but most churches are registered charities. And for most churches their income is for nearly 100% donations, which are called tithings and offerings which is the Biblical term. For the ATO, ASIC and ACNC donations are not taxable income as the money given are free will donations from individuals who already paid taxes on their wages, salary or business income. They give to what they deem important using their spendable income after taxes. Yes I agree that some churches and pastors have abused this income but they are an exception and not the rule. I think around 40 % of pastors are bi-vocational, which means their main income is from a secular job on the side both part time or full time.

Lighthouse Care provides affordable food to thousands of Queenslanders. It is run by the local church in Loganholme. Picture: Facebook

Barbara Austin

When a church can build something like that they obviously aren’t giving away their money to those in need.

Julian Russell

Yes. And they should also stop the land banking.

Phil Hayes

Churches contribute far more to society than any taxes they would pay if they were taxed. Taxing them would be a massive injustice. Leave them alone.

It is mind bending how much ignorance & attitude is displayed by commenters here

Lauren Woodcroft

I’m happy for it to turn out however works but if the churches aren’t getting taxed like the rest of us can they lower prices or even give away things in op shops?

Have the op shops running from church grounds so there’s no overheads l/ shop fronts. I don’t fully know the ins and outs and happy to be taught but there needs to be some give and take please

Originally published as Should churches be taxed in Australia? YOUR SAY