Quote from Forum Archives on May 7, 2002, 8:49 pm

Posted by: revkbrown <revkbrown@...>

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Brown, Ken

Sent: Tuesday, May 07, 2002 2:19 PM

To: 'revkbrown@msn.com'

Subject: ** Senate Approves Bill to Protect Clergy **

 

** Senate Approves Bill to Protect Clergy **

On Thursday, according to the Washington Times and other news reports,

the U.S. Senate approved a bill designed to protect a tax break for

clergy that has existed since 1921. The exemption prevents clergy from

being taxed on the part of their church income that is used to provide

housing. "Supporters estimate that without the tax exemption, the

nation's clergy would face a $2.3 billion tax increase," reported the

Times.

The House of Representatives passed the bill 408-0 on April 16. Now the

measure goes to the White House and, according to a White House

spokeswoman, President Bush supports the bill and plans to sign it.

Congress actually "pre-empted" a strike from the U.S. Court of Appeals

for the 9th Circuit, which is questioning the constitutionality of this

tax break, says the Washington Times. The case first went to court when

a Baptist minister in California challenged the IRS rule. The U.S. Tax

Court sided with the minister, and the IRS appealed the case to the 9th

Circuit Court.