State Favors Result in State Control of the Church
Persecution of Christians around the world is at an historic and all-time high. While there is great cause for concern for their plight, one thing we can be quite confident of is that the Christian religion will live on. Christianity has outlived every tyrannical regime, stretching from the Roman Empire, to the Soviet Union. It will also outlive the murderous Islamic regime of Sudan, and the totalitarian Communist tyranny of China.History has repeatedly shown that brutally attacking the Christian, whether through imprisonment, torture, or execution, has never served to undermine faith. Persecution only serves to strengthen the Christian faith.Every time in history, and in every culture, when Christianity has been assailed, the faith of its victims is bolstered, and the gospel then spreads like a wild fire.
A contemporary example of this is China, where perhaps the greatest expansion of the gospel in history is taking place, under the constant harassment of a brutal Communist regime.Modern enemies of the church are not altogether ignorant of this phenomena, and at least some have recognized that much more effective means are available for curtailing the expansion of Christ's kingdom.In his seminal treatise on the political doctrine of the separation of government powers, The Spirit Of the Laws (1748), Montesquieu notes:"Therefore, one does not succeed in detaching the soul from religion by filling it with this great object, by bringing it closer to the moment when it should find religion of greater importance. A more certain way to attack religion is by favor, by the comforts of life, by the hope of wealth; not by what reminds one of it, but by what makes one forget it; not by what makes one indignant, but by what makes men lukewarm, when other passions act on our souls, and those which religion inspires are silent. In the matter of changing religion, State favors are stronger than penalties."This is precisely the formula that has been followed by our own government, in recent years, as it grows ever more hostile toward Christian values. Rather than attack Christianity through various "penalties", the modern method is to render the church "lukewarm" by doling out "State favors." The most prominent of "favors" today is the tax-exempt license. But in reality, the granting of a tax exemption to the church is a monumental con job.Churches are not merely "exempt" from taxation because they make application to the IRS for that legal "privilege", they are non-taxable because of the First Amendment.
It's a matter of jurisdiction. The government may only tax that which it has jurisdiction over.Interestingly enough, even the IRS acknowledges that churches are tax-exempt and tax-deductible without ever applying for that status. In their words, it's "automatic" (Pub. 557 and IRC Sec. 508).
Furthermore, contributions to churches are also "automatically" tax deductible (Pub. 526). Why then do churches subordinate themselves to the IRS, and thereby waive many important constitutionally guaranteed rights? Why do they agree to the numerous restrictions imposed on them by the 501c3 status? Certainly not because they were well informed. It only happens out of ignorance."My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6)Many a preacher is getting fed up with having their tax-exempt status held over their head, and used as a mechanism for restricting their speech. The 501c3 is a huge liability to all but the most politically correct of churches.Churches generally organize as 501c3 at the advice of their attorney; but those who did so only got one side of the story.
Just wait until you hear "the rest of the story."For materials on how to unlicense your church, or to organize a "free-church", call 1-417-337-7533, ext. 1, or visit us on the web at: http://hushmoney.org. You may also request to have a brochure mailed to you..
Offshore Banking
An offshore bank is a bank located outside the country of residence of the depositor in a low- or no- tax jurisdiction. It provides financial and legal advantages like privacy, reduced legal restrictions, and protection against local political or financial instability. Offshore banking has increased rapidly all over the world since mid-1960s because of the growth and liquidity of Eurocurrency markets.
The full spectrum of financial services from offshore banks include deposit taking, credit, money transmissions, provision of foreign exchange, letters of credit and trade finance, investment custody, investment management, fund management, trustee services, and corporate administration.
Offshore banks provide access to politically and economically stable jurisdictions that may be an advantage for those resident in areas where there is a risk of expropriation or where there is corruption within the banking system.
Many offshore banks...
Offshore Banking
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Residential Property Abroad
It is increasingly common for individuals to own more than one property and in many cases the first investment after the family residence is in a holiday home. Whether you are buying a place in the sun, a country retreat or a city centre apartment, if it is in a foreign country you will be exposed to an unfamiliar legal system and to taxes in the country concerned. It is therefore important, even before a contract is signed, to decide whether to make the purchase in your personal name or through a company. To change course later will always be expensive. It is however usually possible to reduce exposure to tax.Buying in a personal nameAssuming the property is for personal occupation, the form of tax, which is most easily avoided, is estate or inheritance tax.
The death of the person in whose name the property is registered will normally give rise to a liability which may exceed 40% of the value at the time and the tax will usually have to be paid before the property can be sold...
Residential Property Abroad
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Why Pay To Travel On Public Transport, When You Can Go For Free
Rebecca Turner, a legal secretary living in Sydney, Australia, decided that there should be a fare free day, and she asked her fellow Sydneysiders supported her and just not buy a train ticket.This seemed quite an attractive proposition, and more and more people thought it was a good idea, and supported her.Eventually the state premier caved in, and declared it a fare free day."I don't want there to be people milling around stations in confusion, I don't want staff to be confused about their directions. We'll clarify it by saying in recognition of the frustration and inconvenience commuters have suffered it will be of necessity a fare free day" said Bob Carr, the Labour NSW premier.So while Labour are trying to present the decision as an act of generosity, and compensation. They are not really fooling anyone. It is an act of true democracy - government for the people by the people.Ultimately of course, the bill has to be footed by the tax payer. One fare free day is just about bearable,...
Why Pay To Travel On Public Transport, When You Can Go For Free
Tax help > Why Pay To Travel On Public Transport, When You Can Go For Free
1031 Exchange Rules
In a 1031 Exchange an investor sells his property, called "Relinquished Property," to acquire a "Replacement Property" without attracting tax on capital gains.
The whole exchange is overseen by a Qualified Intermediary (QI), a middle-man who provides services of paperwork, oversight, escrow and expertise to ensure that the transaction conforms to Rules under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Now, let us see what all properties qualify for 1031 Exchange. Real estate in general, for income tax purposes, has been divided into four categories- business use, investment, personal use and outright sale. Of them, the last two are unfit for 1031 Exchange.
Then comes the foremost stipulation: the new investment must be in a like-kind property. But this is not a blanket barrier either. It does not restrict that the exchanged properties must be like the photocopy of the other property in all respects, as in a bare land for bare land situation....
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How to Check the Status of Your Tax Refund Online
So, you were pleasantly surprised to learn that you are getting a refund on your taxes. Congratulations! The IRS expects to issue approximately $54 billion dollars in refunds for the 2003 tax year. The question for most taxpayers expecting a return is, "Where is my refund?"Check Your Refund Status OnlineThe easiest way to check on your refund is to ask the IRS through IRS.gov. On the home page of the site, you will see a "Where's My Refund?" link. Using the service is fairly easy.
You will need a copy of your tax return to provide the necessary information to get the status of your refund. Specifically, you need to provide your social security number, you tax filing status and the exact amount of your refund. The reason the IRS requires all of this information is purely for security purposes, to wit, the agency wants to make sure it is giving access only to the taxpayer. Again, all of this information should be on your return. If it is not, something is very wrong!Once you submit...
How to Check the Status of Your Tax Refund Online
Tax help > How to Check the Status of Your Tax Refund Online
Tax help power generator State Favors Result in State Control of the Church