Anonymous Message to American Taxpayers: Scientology - IRS

You may be surprised to learn that in America, one group enjoys a tax-exemption and special privileges from the IRS, privileges that go beyond those afforded to any other taxpayer.

Also surprising is the fact that for over 25 years, the IRS fought against this group in the courts, arguing that it did not qualify for any tax-exemption due to "the commercial character" of much of the groups operations, and its "virtually incomprehensible financial procedures".

In 1991, an unusual meeting was held between the leader of the group (David Miscavige) and the IRS Commissioner (Fred T. Goldberg Jr.).
A complete reversal of the IRS' position came into effect in October 1993.

A secret deal now provides this group with rights that exceed those of the average citizen.

This group and its associated corporations are known by various names, including:
Church of Scientology International
Church of Spiritual Technology
Religious Technology Center

Front Groups include:
Applied Scholastics
Narconon
Criminon
Citizen's Commission on Human Rights

A New York Times investigation revealed that Scientology's tax exemption "followed a series of unusual internal IRS actions that came after an extraordinary campaign orchestrated by Scientology against the agency and people who work there."

Scientologists are able to claim tax-deductions of a nature that is prohibited for members of any other group...

The U.S. Constitution upholds the principle of the separation of Church and State. The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment ensures Government policy remains neutral towards religious groups. According to the Constitution, one religious group should not receive special treatment by the U.S. Government.

On February 4, 2008, Judge Kim Wardlaw summarized the situation:

"The view of the IRS is that it can unconstitutionally violate the Constitution by establishing religion, by treating one religion more favorably than other religions in terms of what it allows as deductions, and there can never be any judicial review of that?"

"This does intrude into the Establishment Clause. The whole point is Government neutrality towards religion, and that's exactly what the IRS is not doing here"

The affidavit of Lawrence H. Brennan, filed on May 6, 2008 reveals that Scientology corporations deliberately worked to create the appearance of a religious group in order to gain a tax-exemption and hide its assets from outsiders.

If you feel that Scientology's secret deal with the IRS is an injustice to American taxpayers, please write to your Congressman, and inform others about this unacceptable situation.