Churches are, and as far as anyone alive today can remember, have always been exempt from paying taxes on the money and gifts given to them. Why is this? Separation of church and State immediately springs to mind. Operating as a charitable institution is another reason why they are tax exempt. But given the fact that tax exemptions are a form of bettering a person or organizations situation, would not a tax exemption actually be a way that government supports and favors churches over secular enterprises?
Even though most churches do provide charitable outreach programs, should the entirety of the church income be exempt, or just that portion that can clearly defined as charitable? We all know of pastors receiving multi-million dollar paychecks, living lavishly, and though they do pay personal income tax on their salaries, the churches are not paying tax on the monies they receives to pay them with. Same thing with property taxes, the church may build a building, occupy it for a few years, and then move to another location, selling the old building for a handsome profit, and never pay a dime in taxes.
Churches qualify for most tax exemptions automatically, where other charitable organizations must apply and be approved, and must have a more complete reckoning of where their money comes from and where it goes, leaving many to speculate that churches are not only being favored by the government , but that they are also using their tax exempt status for their own personal gain. There have been many instances where the officials in a tax exempt religion have been caught doing just that. In the 70's, five priests were caught running a tax exempt mail order business, and using the proceeds to buy expensive cars and live in luxurious mansions.
But here is what I think it boils down to. In exchange for separation of church and State, there has to be reciprocal separation of State and church. In order to maintain their Government tax exempt subsidy, churches have to agree to stay out of the political arena. Although subsidizing a religious organization is illegal in the United States, tax subsidies are given to every church in the United States, in exchange for their silence on political matters.
Technically, any church which engages in political campaigning or endorsing any candidate or party is subject to lose its tax exempt status, under US law. The same thing applies to any church engaging in any rhetoric or activities contrary to government policy. Tax exemption of churches is considered to be a privilege, one acquired by maintaining "good behavior", and not a right.
I think its time for the churches to rethink their status, and determine for themselves whether or not the price of silence is too high.