Comments about ‘Mitt Romney hopes millions he tithes to LDS Church isn't politicized’

I guess I would loop back around and ask why is Tithing tax deductable. Why is something we should be doing for our faith anyway need a tax deduction. Wouldn't it be nice if our tax system was equitable enough that things like deductions for tithing were not needed. Wouldn't it nice if peoples tax burden was balanced, and deductions were not needed?

I think we are all asking the wrong questions. I know we don't want to loose this deduction. I use turbotax, I do my own taxes, and I love to see the tax payable number dive when I enter that deduction and the mortgage one. But it would so much nicer to know in January what my tax burden will be for the rest of the year, that day, and not need to plan my finances to take advantages of holes in the the tax code.

We simply need to fix the cause of the problem, not focus on the results of flawed policy.

Just my opinion.... I may be wrong.

@Bill in Neb and Workerbee

intlbizman is correct. A stipend is considered taxable income and must be reported on a W-2 or 1099. A parsonage (or housing allowance is tax-free.

IRC Sec 61 defines taxable gross income as all income unless specifically excluded. A parsonage, or housing allowance, is specifically excluded, but living expenses (even from donations) are not. If stipends are given to cover living expenses other than housing, they are taxable.

@USMNT
If you look back at my posts you will see that I never said the word "salary", so it is you who are putting words in my mouth. That said, in the tax law, there is no difference between a modest living allowance and a salary (they are both taxable income to the recipient).

UtahBlueDevil "Why is something we should be doing for our faith anyway need a tax deduction."

First reason why is the idea that we should be able to give to the charity organization of our choice and not have the government make that choice for us. Tax incentives and deductions are made to move our behavior. If we gave more to taxes the thinking is there would be less to give to charity. Cut out the middle man, in this case the government.

Second reason why is because the government likes to know what you did with your moneyso do the voters.

I have a mutual fund manager that picks my investments which saves me time and money.

The LDS Church also picks some of my charities. Currently, they are The American Red Cross, Primary Children's Hospital, The United Way, and All For Good. There are many more, especially in Muslim Africa, but they are no longer on the LDS website so I won't name them.

The LDS Church requires lots of volunteers for their charities and only give to frugal and effective organizations. In the 70's the United Way was not selected due to their overhead, now they are a partner with the Church.

I believe it is our duty to give responsibly. Giving a large charity contribution to my Church saves me time and research.

South Carolina maybe upset that Mitt pays tithing to the "Mormon Church" but I wonder how they will feel when a natural disaster strikes and it is the "Mormon Church" to the rescue with all the humanitarian aide.

I'm LDS and although technically tithing under our tax code is a charitable contribution I don't consider it as part of my charitable giving. Tithing is a commandment and we are required by Heavenly Father to pay 10%. The money I give in fast offerings, humanitarian assistance or to other charities like the Red Cross, etc. are what I consider charitable giving. This is what I choose to give out of love and to follow the example and teachings of Jesus Christ. I know to others, especially those who are not LDS, 10% can seem like a very generous contribution but frankly when you are LDS that is the bare minimum the Lord requires.