"prison For Creationist Because Of Tax Fraud Or His Religion?"

[Ukulelemike]

"Everyone knows Lady Justice is blind but now we know she is bigoted as well! Case in point: Dr. Kent Hovind was sentenced to ten years in jail. Kent argued that his ministry was tax exempt and cited the IRS code to support his case! He wrote to the IRS many times asking them why he was wrong if, in fact, he was wrong. They never responded! Arrogance? Incompetence? Whatever the reason, an American citizen could not get a reply from the very people who should have been able, even eager, to help him.

 

Kent’s enemies have painted him as a greedy tax resister when he has said repeatedly that he has always paid any taxes he owes. He could not get any response from the IRS nor did the judge, prosecutor, or anyone else inform him why his ministry was not exempt from taxes as are hundreds of thousands of similar organizations. Therefore, he has spent six years in the Big House. That’s where they send killers, traitors, rapists, child molesters, armed robbers, and other Very Bad Guys.

 

Well, not always. If you are a celebrity entertainer, liberal politician, or sports figure, you can usually get probation; only a slap on the wrists. Sometimes a fine."

 

 

 

Read the rest of the article here:

 

http://donboys.cstnews.com/prison-for-creationist-because-of-tax-fraud-or-his-religion

[John81]

The government loves to send a message, a message of who they don't like and a message of their power. At the same time, when they send these messages another purpose is to gauge others aligned with those they target and those who share a similar position.

 

In this case their message was pretty clear. What did they learn from how Christians and similar organizations responded to this?

[Ukulelemike]

The government loves to send a message, a message of who they don't like and a message of their power. At the same time, when they send these messages another purpose is to gauge others aligned with those they target and those who share a similar position.

 

In this case their message was pretty clear. What did they learn from how Christians and similar organizations responded to this?

They learned, "Look how quickly they eat their own wounded, whie continuing to eat government lies."

[John81]

That's indeed what they learned.

[lettheredeemedsayso]

I pray that he will be released and reunited with his family soon!!

[Ukulelemike]

I pray that he will be released and reunited with his family soon!!

Still, in the meantime, the Lord is using him greatly to bring those in prison to Christ-he just traded one ministry for another.

[candlelight]

Kent Hovind's prison sentence is just the beginning of Christians being persecuted in the USA.  More to come in the future.

[AVBibleBeliever]

Romans 13:1 ¶ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
 7 ¶ Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
 8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

 

1Peter 2:13 ¶  Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

 

Would not these scriptures teach us that if we are to pay taxes that we should do so.

 

However, when you have a 501c you must follow the govt rules on taxation.  Mr Hovind was not paying payroll tax as required by law under the employment declaration under his 501c.  He filed neither w2 or 1099 non-worker compensation as required under his 501c.

 

If any church wants to be free from the Govt there is a separation of church and state clause in place in our constituion.  You are not rquired to be a 501c non-profit tax organization.  the reason many go for this is because givers want to have tax deductions for thier giving. 

 

But we should give without expectation of anything in return i.e.tax return.

 

You can be a church without 501c.  However you will still be required by local officials to pay property tax,building tax and if you employ people payroll taxes which include Social Securuty tax. and any permits to do building or outreaches, public speaking and so forth.

 

Pastors and workers in the church under this non 501c should not be employees.  It should be done by faith and without wages for it is Christ in whom we serve. 

 

Should the pastor not get a wage?

 

If he wants a salary then he must pay his income taxes and Social Security.

 

the Bible says this and this is how the pastor is to be compensated for his work within the Body of Christ:  Galatians 6:6-8 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.   For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

 

simply put the people being taught the word are to communicate/giving/sharing to the one who teaches them i.e. the pastor/teacher, elder, Sunday School etc....  in ALL good things not the left overs, not the second hand, but the good things.  That would include a good home, good clothing and good food.

 

Are you all communicating in funds, food and garments with those who teach you or are you just giving to get write offs on your tax return?

 

If you are giving are you doing so cheerfully or out of necessity and grudgingly?

 

2Cor 9:6-11 ¶ But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.   Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.   And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:  (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.   Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)  Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

 

Members of any group under the headship of Christ should be taking very good care of these ones who minister the word to them.  You will notice that in the last two quotes of the Holy Bible that sowing and reaping are connected to how we give to the leadership to do the work of ministry of teaching.

 

In conclusion Mr Hovind was wrong and got his do reward for his disobedinece to the word of God and the Governing authority of which he was under.

[Ukulelemike]

I am curious, are you familiar with the tax code 508 c1a? It is the code that declares religious organizations tax excepted, rather than exempt. 501c3 was not designed for religious organizations-we don't have to file for it, nor request it. I have been a pastor for almost 12 years and have never filed, nor had any problem with the IRS-not one question. IN fact, it was the IRS that informed me about it.

 

Kent Hovind had his organization under the 508c1a code. Numerous times he contacted the IRS in writing, for which he has proof, asking if it was proper  how he was paying his workers, and if not, how to rectify it. He made no secret of the fact that his workers were considered private contractors, which gave them the responsibility to file their own taxes-he was not required to. As well, numerous times Hovind offerred to pay all the taxes they said he owed, if they would show him where he was wrong-that's reasonable. They did not, and they still haven't.

 

Also, in case you aren't aware, an "employee" who is required to pay federal income tax, is, by definition, one who works for the federal government. This is according to the tax code.

 

Definition of Employee

 

IRC  3401 (c )

 

For the purposes of this chapter, the term “employee” includes an officer, employee, or elected official of the United States, a State, or any political subdivision thereof, or the District of Columbia, or any agency or instrumentality of any one or more of the foregoing.

 

Definition of income

 

“Income”: 

• Remuneration (either immediate or deferred) paid by the federal government including-- but not confined to-- “wages” (see below);
• Benefits paid by the federal government;
• The proceeds of, and from, federal ("United States") corporations or instrumentalities such as national banks, railroads, etc.;
• The proceeds of, and from, the conduct of a "trade or business" (the performance of the functions of a public office).

('Proceeds' means any form of related payment or gain, including, for example, dividends paid to stockholders, etc..  To invest in an activity is to engage in that activity.)

 

“Wages”:

• Remuneration of any kind, and by any name (including ‘salary’, ‘fee’, etc.) paid to any “employee” (see below), and to others in positions in the federal civil or military services.

“Employee”:

• A federal government worker or office-holder;
• Workers and office-holders of the local governments of the District of Columbia and the territories and possessions;
• Workers and office-holders of any federal, D.C., or territorial or possessions government agency or instrumentality;

 

Since Kent Hovind was not, by legal definition, an employer, since he is not part of the federal government, his workers, not employees, did not owe taxes.

 

The probem is, as we see in  not just yourself, but millions like you, that no one knows, or seems to care-we just throw our money at them as we please. I think the only thing Hovind did wrong, was that he and his employees should have submitted documents each year declaring that they did not owe and why. That he contacted the IRS a few times and sought guidance to do it correctly, and they refused to speak with him, shows the error was on their part, not his. But this is how the IRS works: fear and intimidation and misinformation. The use the ignorance and fear of the jury to convict a man who owed nothing.

 

Further, when the IRS was going to sieze the property, they told his family that they could keep it if they paid an amount they wanted, something like $300,000.00, within a certain time. They raised the money, (we donated), and when they sought to pay it, the IRS refused it and took the property anyways.

 

So, we are, in your mind, just to be good boys and girls and pay what they decide we owe them, without any regard to actual LAW, and ignore when they refuse to make good on their agreements, and say this is gody behavior? No, our government is designed to be accountable to the people and to their own laws-but we allow them time and again to do as they please-this is why Israel got into trouble time and again-kings did as they pleased and the people followed them right into sin. we are to be accountable to our leaders, as they are to be to us, but we are to hold them accountable, as well-being government does not afford them the right to scoff at the law, any more than being a pastor allows one to ignore the Bible.

[AVBibleBeliever]

If I am not mistaken a 508 can only be used if your church is receiving less that $5,000 per year and there are certain filing requirements that are to be done or you wont be considered a 508 organization, but will be considered a 501c of which Hovind's group had became because of their lack of filing.

 

"The notification requirement set forth in IRC 508(a) is subject to exceptions

and these are listed in IRC 508©. There is a mandatory exception to notice which

is applicable to (1) churches, their integrated auxiliaries, and conventions or

associations of churches or (2) any organization, other than a private foundation,

the gross receipts of which in each taxable year are normally not more than $5,000.

The exceptions in IRC 508© are interpreted and explained by Reg. 1.508-1(a)(3).

With this background presented, this topic will explore several issues that have

been considered in connection with IRC 508 notice requirements."

 

 

"IRC 501©(3) files a properly completed and executed Form 1023 within 15

months from the end of the month in which it was organized. Reg. 1.508(a)-

1(a)(2)(iii) provides further that an organization will be considered "organized" on

the date it becomes an organization described in section 501©(3)"

 

 

Hovind's group became a 501 (as noted in the court documents) when they failed to file their 15 month report after the initial 15 months lapsed and once they exceeded $5000 in annual recepts.  Even though they tried to claim they were a 508 because of their initial application for it but they were not given or kept the status by the IRS after the lack of filing a form 1023 after the fifteeneth month as required, and or when giving exceeded $5000.

 

There are several documents and as many as 1000 that would need to be read in order to fully understand and I am not a tax lawyer but I have been trained as a tax preparer.

 

here is a link to one http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/eotopicl80.pdf

 

here it is laid out for you and you will notice that after filing the  application for the 508 if you fail to report after 15 months or recepts are more than $5000 you will not be given the status.

 

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/508

[Galations 2:20]

Matthew 17:24-27 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. 

 

Jesus paid the tax so as not to offend or cause a scandal.

 

God has placed earthly authorities (good as well as wicked) over us.  Not so that we can try to get out of or enter into a long debate or controversy over a situation but so that we can show Christ-likeness in any situation. 

Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 

 

Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 

 

God can use any person (wicked as well) to bring Himself glory.  God can and will use this taxing situation with Ken for His glory.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 

 

Those tax laws and info you are pasting and copying do not say what is relevant to God in this situation.  The Bible is always relevant to any situation and where I can find answers to life.

[AVBibleBeliever]

Matthew 17:24-27 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. 

 

Jesus paid the tax so as not to offend or cause a scandal.

 

God has placed earthly authorities (good as well as wicked) over us.  Not so that we can try to get out of or enter into a long debate or controversy over a situation but so that we can show Christ-likeness in any situation. 

Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 

 

Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 

 

God can use any person (wicked as well) to bring Himself glory.  God can and will use this taxing situation with Ken for His glory.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 

 

Those tax laws and info you are pasting and copying do not say what is relevant to God in this situation.  The Bible is always relevant to any situation and where I can find answers to life.

I did address God word in an earlier post.

 

The following was in response to the 508 claim

[no name joe]

This guy did not file a tax return for many years.  On top of that, he failed to withhold and pay employee FICA and Social Security Taxes.  That amounts to theft.  

 

This guy is a total fraud.  He bought into a tax scheme saying he has to pay no taxes, which is absolute bologna.  

[Galations 2:20]

I did address God word in an earlier post.

 

The following was in response to the 508 claim

YEP, I stand corrected.

This guy did not file a tax return for many years.  On top of that, he failed to withhold and pay employee FICA and Social Security Taxes.  That amounts to theft.  

 

This guy is a total fraud.  He bought into a tax scheme saying he has to pay no taxes, which is absolute bologna.  

I agree, God's laws supersede tax laws and even though the taxes imposed are more than God asks (10%) we are to pay them and in doing so we are ultimately obeying God.

[John81]

Yes, Christians are to obey the authorities over them, whether they are in the right or wrong, doing so in obedience to God, not them.

 

In this case, which I don't know every detail, it seems the IRS was intent upon provoking the situation so they could show their power. It's likely that no matter what the man did, the IRS was going to make sure things turned out the way they did.

 

Could Kent have handled things better? Yes. Does that mean the IRS was in the right? No.

 

What does seem clear is that if both parties had wanted to, they could have come to a mutually acceptable agreement with regards to the tax issue which would not have required prison and confiscation.