The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has reversed its decision to exclude a Christian organization from tax benefits.
As previously reported in
Legal Newsline, the IRS denied 501(3)(c) status to Christians Engaged because it is allegedly involved in prohibited political campaign intervention.
“We re grateful that the IRS changed course to bring its decision into line with the U.S. Constitution and its own regulations and our hope is that no other religious group or church will have to go through this again,” said Lea Patterson, an attorney with First Liberty Institute, which represents Christians Engaged.
Although the organization’s mission is to educate and empower average Christians to pray for the nation and elected officials, to vote in every election, and to be civically engaged, the IRS categorized the group as operating for a substantial non-exempt private purpose and for the private interests of Republicans.
Hans Koepsell, Hans Koepsell, Deseret News
The Internal Revenue Service has agreed to grant tax-exempt status to a Texas-based nonprofit that urges Christians to pray for elected officials and vote after Republicans in Congress, including two from Utah, expressed outrage at its initial decision.
First Liberty Institute says the reversal came after a national backlash against the IRS’ rejection of nonprofit status for Christians Engaged because the agency claimed that “the sanctity of life, biblical marriage, and biblical justice” were associated principally with political platforms.
First Liberty Institute represented Christians Engaged in its appeal after tax-exempt status was denied because of the group’s teachings.
SALT LAKE CITY The Internal Revenue Service has agreed to grant tax-exempt status to a Texas-based nonprofit that urges Christians to pray for elected officials and vote after Republicans in Congress, including two from Utah, expressed outrage at its initial decision.
First Liberty Institute says the reversal came after a national backlash against the IRS rejection of nonprofit status for Christians Engaged because the agency claimed that the sanctity of life, biblical marriage, and biblical justice were associated principally with political platforms.
First Liberty Institute represented Christians Engaged in its appeal after tax-exempt status was denied because of the group s teachings.
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Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy called on the head of the IRS Friday to remove a top official who denied a Texas-based Christian group tax exemption status for its alleged ties to the Republican Party.