Paper Surveys Scope of Tax Exemptions for Church Property

Sunday's Rochester (NY) Democrat & Chronicle carries a lengthy investigative report on tax exemptions for local property held for religious use. It says that in 2008, the value of properties exempted from taxes for religious purposes in Monroe Count (NY) was almost $756 million. This includes not only church buildings, but parsonages (some of which are very expensive) and vacant land held for future religious use. Even church-owned property used for profit-making purposes remains exempt so long as the profits are reinvested in furthering the church and its ministries. [Thanks to Steven H. Sholk for the lead.]