Do we think that Opie's father really didn't pay taxes because his family was a church?

1  2015-04-07 by LemonQuarks

it's probably true but i'm not sure how it would work. Any tax lawyers in here?

6 comments

3  Rootser 2015-04-07

here is a checklist of what you need:

  1. Distinct legal existence

  2. Recognized creed and form of worship

  3. Definite and distinct ecclesiastical government

  4. Formal code of doctrine and discipline

  5. Distinct religious history

  6. Membership not associated with any other church or denomination

  7. Organization of ordained ministers

  8. Ordained ministers selected after completing prescribed courses of studies

  9. Literature of its own

  10. Established places of worship

  11. Regular congregations

  12. Regular religious services

  13. Sunday schools for religious instruction of the young

  14. Schools for preparation of its ministers

Depending upon how many of these points a new religious organization has, or plans to have in the future, it may or may not be classified as a church by the IRS. If a classification of church is not made, it is likely that the IRS would then make the classification of the new organization as a “religious organization,” which may be tax-exempt also.

Classification alone is just step one. All organizations must be organized and operated for the religious purposes declared in their Beliefs and Practices Statements and conduct business affairs in accepted accounting manners.

So in my opinion if Opie's dad was too stupid to provide a solid living through traditional means he was definitely too stupid to figure any of this shit out to save 15% of 17k.

1  LemonQuarks 2015-04-07

I love that even though this sub is filled with the worst people on the planet it also has some very intelligent people as well.

1  fedswatching 2015-04-07

The duggars of 20 kids and counting fame do that. Opie probably heard that and ran with it. He gets his info on the poors from reality tv.

1  Opprobriousness 2015-04-07

He also carried his lunches to school in cement bags.

1  krbin 2015-04-07

Maybe. I know of a local bar where the owner tried to file as a religion to avoid paying taxes. He got caught and had other legal trouble and ended up going away and sold the bar and it's a pretty good joint now.

My point, people do try to do this. Maybe it was easier 40 years ago and Opie's dad got away with it or maybe like other Opie stories he "juiced it up" for the show.

0  WhiteIsJustBetter 2015-04-07

I could be completely wrong, but one thing that always bugged me about this is how he said because they were a religion he'd have to go to the store with some giant book or something to not have to pay sales tax, as I said I could be wrong, but I believe even if his dad did that it would only exempt them from taxes on the families income, i dont believe being a religion lets you not pay sales tax at stores, please correct me if im wrong because I honestly dont know