How long until churches lose charitable status and pay tax

[sooperphreek]

with the huge properties some churches in town have wouldnt it be wise for municipalities to tax the churches instead of raising taxes on homes? not to mention the church offshoots like old folks homes on some of those properties creating income for these organizations being sheltered from taxation? i think that if the churches want the benifits of no taxation they should have to be under guidelines and prove what they are doing in their immediate community instead of sending money away to missionaries that do nothing for the communities the church organization is in. there should be set stipulations and if they dont meet them they should have tax shelters revoked.

[Nebula]

Church buildings and the land under them are exempt from property taxes under the Community Charter 220 (1)(h). Municipalities must grant the tax exemption.

[Boda]

[quote="writerdave"]Church buildings and the land under them are exempt from property taxes under the Community Charter 220 (1)(h). Municipalities must grant the tax exemption.[/quote]



Is that community charter law federal or provincial Dave?

[Nebula]

Provincial. There are two basic provincial laws that set up and govern how municipalities/regional districts/improvement districts operate: The Local Government Act and the Community Charter.

[Boda]

Couple more questions if you don't mind.

Does the Federal gov. dictate that Provinces can't allow municipalities to tax church owned properties?
If not, are there any provinces that do tax church owned properties or revenue?

Pretty sure I know the answer to the 2nd question.

[Nebula]

Does the Federal gov. dictate that Provinces can't allow municipalities to tax church owned properties?

Not that I am aware of. I believe the mandate comes from the provincial government.

If not, are there any provinces that do tax church owned properties or revenue?

Good question but I don't have an answer. I surmise no provinces do that.

[Boda]

quote]

Good question but I don't have an answer. I surmise no provinces do that.[/quote]


I surmise same. Can you imagine any government allienating that many votes?

[JonyDarko]

Not soon enough.

[nepal]

Church buildings and the land under them are exempt from property taxes under the Community Charter 220 (1)(h). Municipalities must grant the tax exemption.

Is that community charter law federal or provincial Dave?

.
Apparently there are two property tax exemptions for churches: One is applied Provincially, and the other is at the discretion of the City. (Watch or attend city council meetings in the fall of each year, and see for yourself):

1- Exempted under provincial Community Charter noted above: The portion of building/land footprint used as area of worship, like the main church auditorium hall and related bathrooms etc. For example this might be only 25% of a large multi-use building, and say 5% of the overall land area.

2- Exempted Permissively by yearly discretion of city council: All the rest of the building(s)/land. Fully taxable at market value like any other property, and is often the largest portion of the property, including the residual of the land under the building, and the parking lot etc.
Council does not have to give any tax permissive exemption at all. More likely, council could give a partial exemption, for example 50% permissive exemption on a specific church property, or maybe say 50% exemption for all churches.

Also, some churches have lots of excess land on-site that could be used as like a high-rise condo site, which is a fully taxable portion.

Several churches are veiled business enterprises that attempt to exploit lax tax rules. Some are not self-serving and there to inclusively help the greater community.

If you have concerns about awarding city exemptions, then attend the fall council meeting where these are individually decided upon, and present your concerns to support council making a logical decision.

.

[GordonH]

impo this subject is probably another one of those political suicide things, politicians probably think about doing it... then say wait a minute I want my pension.

[Babba_not_Gump]

Nothing like digging up an old topic.
All the original commenters are probably dead and buried, don't care about churches anymore.