The IRS has secret ‘church investigations’ procedures and refuses to explain what those are

Last updated on: April 12, 2016 at 8:40 am by Mark Meckler

The IRS has secret ‘church investigations’ procedures and refuses to explain what those are 2016-04-12T08:40:51-06:00 Mark Meckler

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

iStock_000058901128_Small

For so many years, the IRS has been an untouchable, protected agency, doing what it wants, when it wants, to whom it wants. But the Alliance Defending Freedom and Judicial Watch are calling out the IRS in federal court.

The Washington Times shares the details:

Government watchdog groups have filed a motion in federal court to compel the IRS to reveal how it determines when to initiate “church investigations” after accusing the tax-collecting agency of “stonewalling” efforts to bring to light its procedures.

The motion, filed jointly Friday by the Alliance Defending Freedom and Judicial Watch, came in response to a legal settlement struck in 2014 with an atheist organization, which said the IRS had “resolved the signature authority issue necessary to initiate church examinations.”

“The IRS also has adopted procedures for reviewing, evaluating and determining whether to initiate church investigations,” the Freedom From Religion Foundation said in a press release.

But what are these “procedures?” No one knows, and they aren’t telling.

“The IRS is not above the law, and Americans deserve to know the truth about the agency’s secret deals with activists,” ADF Legal Counsel Christina Holcomb said in a press release. “The IRS has a legal obligation to explain why it is hiding things or else produce documents. Its ongoing refusal to follow the law is absurd, particularly since much of [what] we are asking for is information that the IRS has already provided voluntarily to Freedom From Religion Foundation.”

To make matters worse, Congress knew this was a problem two years ago.

A 2014 letter to IRS Commissioner John Koskinen signed by nine members of Congress asked the agency to provide a copy of the rules for investigating churches.

“Our country has a long history of religious leaders speaking freely on matters of public discourse,” the letter reads. “Whether it is Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. leading the charge against segregation, or preachers opposed to the Vietnam War, Americans expect their religious leaders to be able to speak freely to their flock without government oversight. The recent agreement by the IRS seems to impinge on these fundamental rights protected by the First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of religion, speech, and assembly.

“Without government oversight…” If only more members of congress would use those words in their daily vernacular.

Even knowing the infringement of these rights, it took two years and two government watchdogs to bring this issue forward on a national level.

Americans are getting tired of the lying games. The IRS knows it. The federal government knows it. And the courts know it.

Join the only movement that can stop government overreach. Click the button below to support a Convention of States team in your state.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

April 12, 2016

Thanks for the taxes, we fixed that social problem! (Said a politician, never)

Next Post

April 13, 2016 If possessing this non-lethal weapon warrants a felony charge, we're doomed

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who led the Israelites into the promised land after Moses?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Samuel Solomon Joshua David