Comment by smj-edison
21 days ago
I'm a Mormon, so I can answer these :)
I can't speak to how enforcement was in the past (I haven't researched it enough to say), but the way it currently stands is there is a yearly "tithing settlement". No tax documents are requested, all that our church has is the amount I donate. The bishop asks if I'm a full tithe payer, and accepts my answer.
Social pressure perhaps? But at least where I've been it's appeal to morality as taught in our canon.
Membership is not rescinded for not paying tithing, but a temple recommend requires being a full tithe payer (as reported by me).
EDIT: link to the official handbook: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/general-han...
Thanks for the info! Maybe the tax forms are on a per ward basis or per bishop?
No. I've been a member all my life in several U.S. states and internationally, and I've also been a volunteer finance clerk at church for many years. I've never been asked for tax forms, or even heard of anyone being asked for tax forms. It's not a thing.
Also, there's no prescriptive guidance on pre-tax vs. post-tax, or how to handle many edge cases, such as capital gains, tax deductions, etc. The church's stance is that it's between you and God to figure out how to apply the "pay 10%" guidance.
Old, but still observed: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1974/04/i-h...:
“...the simplest statement we know of is that statement of the Lord himself that the members of the Church should pay one-tenth of all their interest annually, which is understood to mean income. No one is justified in making any other statement than this. We feel that every member of the Church should be entitled to make his own decision as to what he thinks he owes the Lord, and to make payment accordingly.”
The quote you provide is grossly misleading, as that isn’t what tithing meant in the early days of the church. The church just says “which is understood to mean income” so causally that it’s essentially a lie. They say that to get more money. They hold peoples salvation at gun point to make sure it gets paid. And then they use their wealth and influence to drive state policy. It’s all very gross.
3 replies →
Not that I know of? I double-checked the handbook and there's nothing in there that mentions requesting tax forms, so it's certainly not official policy and if it did happen it should be reported. (We're very bureaucratic, lol)
The only tax form I can think of is a form they send me so I can deduct it from taxes (as it's legally a tax-deductible donation).
EDIT: Section 34.4, 34.5.2, and 34.5.6 are applicable.
34.4:
> Confidentiality of Tithing and Other Offerings
> The amount of tithing and other offerings paid by a donor is confidential. Only the bishop and those who are authorized to handle or view these contributions should have access to this information. Stake presidencies, bishoprics, and clerks should never inappropriately discuss a member’s tithing status. Nor should they discuss the total amount of tithing or other offerings received.
34.5.2:
> Receiving Tithing and Other Offerings
> The Lord has given bishops the sacred trust of receiving and accounting for the tithes and other offerings of the Saints (see Doctrine and Covenants 42:30–33; 119). Only the bishop and his counselors may receive tithes and other offerings. Under no circumstances should their wives, other members of their families, clerks, or other ward members receive these contributions. The only exception is when Aaronic Priesthood holders are assigned to collect fast offerings (see 34.3.2).
> Church leaders and members should not leave donations unattended.
34.5.6:
> Donation Statements
> Donor Statements of Contributions are available to all members at donations.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Leaders should encourage members to regularly review their donor statements. Where applicable, official tax statements are also available at donations.ChurchofJesusChrist.org, from the local unit, or from the area office.