Friday, July 31, 2009

IRS Is Investigating Virginia Church

According to the Washington Post, the IRS is investigating Sterling, Virginia's Calvary Temple. (Washington Post background article on Calvary Temple.) The investigation is apparently focused on Pastor Star R. Scott who controls the church's $8.5 million in real estate and hundreds of thousands of dollars of autos used in a "racing ministry." Scott told his congregation that 8 IRS agents interviewed him for five hours earlier this month. They asked about church credit cards that he uses for vacation homes, travel and entertainment. They also sought information about the church's K-12 school, apparently concerned whether supposed donations from parents should really be treated as tuition for tax purposes. The school charges no formal tuition.