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Catholic Church to pay taxes in Italy

The Roman Catholic Church™ will have to pay property tax. Not clear to me if that just applies to Roman Catholic Church™-owned businesses, or if non-business-related churches are included. (Is there a church that is not, at least, an entertainment business? Like, say, movie theaters? or various "clubs"?)

Also, I suspect that does not apply to Vatican City, which is an independent country.

This follows a petition by Italian citizens to force the organization to pay taxes.

Now to make that happen in the USA..... Something our politicians wouldn't touch with a 10-foot cross.

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Permalink Reply by Loren Miller on October 17, 2012 at 6:16pm

Good Night, Irene!!! If the Italians can make this happen THERE, would someone tell me WHY we can't make it happen HERE!!!

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Permalink Reply by Steph S. on October 17, 2012 at 11:35pm

Agreed Loren - they should all pay taxes here - all the churches

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Permalink Reply by Secular Forces 2013 on October 19, 2012 at 5:25am

# lawyers that drank the koolaid

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Permalink Reply by Napoleon Bonaparte on October 17, 2012 at 6:40pm

It's good news and Italy needs the money.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2UiESL9EmE

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xoscvp_italy-plans-to-tax-catholic...

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Permalink Reply by Pat on October 17, 2012 at 6:58pm

Well, at least one government in the western world has some brains, and testicoli.

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Permalink Reply by Secular Forces 2013 on October 19, 2012 at 5:24am

ha, irony~? or time to share the gold and rubies with the hungry and dying people of religious oil'wars?

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Permalink Reply by Jerry Wesner on October 20, 2012 at 5:04pm

The clip said property taxes would apply to commercial or non-church properties, which encompass about 20% of ... what? All Italian land? All the land value of Italy? Anyway, it sounds huge. In this country, such a rule might bankrupt the Mormon church -- until they raised the tithe from 10% to 20% anyway. Of course, I'd even apply it to church buildings, as theaters, private schools, and child care facilities have to pay.