New IRS ruling: Churches can now endorse political candidates to their congregations

[Anonymous]

The I.R.S. said on Monday that churches and other houses of worship can endorse political candidates to their congregations, carving out an exemption in a decades-old ban on political activity by tax-exempt nonprofits.

The agency made that statement in a court filing intended to settle a lawsuit filed by two Texas churches and an association of Christian broadcasters.

The plaintiffs that sued the Internal Revenue Service had previously asked a federal court in Texas to create an even broader exemption — to rule that all nonprofits, religious and secular, were free to endorse candidates to their members. That would have erased a bedrock idea of American nonprofit law: that tax-exempt groups cannot be used as tools of any campaign.

Instead, the I.R.S. agreed to a narrower carveout — one that experts in nonprofit law said might sharply increase politicking in churches, even though it mainly seemed to formalize what already seemed to be the agency’s unspoken policy.

I.R.S. Says Churches Can Endorse Candidates From the Pulpit
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/us/politics/irs-churches-politics-endorse-candidates.html

[Anonymous]

That means they can be taxed now, since that’s a clear violation of the Johnson Amendment.

[Anonymous]

In 3 years or earlier, this will change. Churches should be very calm about this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That means they can be taxed now, since that’s a clear violation of the Johnson Amendment.

Not going to happen. We're in banana republic land and the Republicans are desperate to stay in power in 2026 so they need to bring out the preachers to keep MAGA in line once life starts looking shXtty for them after the Big Ugly Bill goes into effect.

[Anonymous]

What will Pope Leo say?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The I.R.S. said on Monday that churches and other houses of worship can endorse political candidates to their congregations, carving out an exemption in a decades-old ban on political activity by tax-exempt nonprofits.

The agency made that statement in a court filing intended to settle a lawsuit filed by two Texas churches and an association of Christian broadcasters.

The plaintiffs that sued the Internal Revenue Service had previously asked a federal court in Texas to create an even broader exemption — to rule that all nonprofits, religious and secular, were free to endorse candidates to their members. That would have erased a bedrock idea of American nonprofit law: that tax-exempt groups cannot be used as tools of any campaign.

Instead, the I.R.S. agreed to a narrower carveout — one that experts in nonprofit law said might sharply increase politicking in churches, even though it mainly seemed to formalize what already seemed to be the agency’s unspoken policy.

I.R.S. Says Churches Can Endorse Candidates From the Pulpit
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/us/politics/irs-churches-politics-endorse-candidates.html

Churches and political campaigns involving politicians of our two major parties. This sounds like a beautiful arrangement between some wonderfully amazing non-profit entities who do so much good in the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The I.R.S. said on Monday that churches and other houses of worship can endorse political candidates to their congregations, carving out an exemption in a decades-old ban on political activity by tax-exempt nonprofits.

The agency made that statement in a court filing intended to settle a lawsuit filed by two Texas churches and an association of Christian broadcasters.

The plaintiffs that sued the Internal Revenue Service had previously asked a federal court in Texas to create an even broader exemption — to rule that all nonprofits, religious and secular, were free to endorse candidates to their members. That would have erased a bedrock idea of American nonprofit law: that tax-exempt groups cannot be used as tools of any campaign.

Instead, the I.R.S. agreed to a narrower carveout — one that experts in nonprofit law said might sharply increase politicking in churches, even though it mainly seemed to formalize what already seemed to be the agency’s unspoken policy.

I.R.S. Says Churches Can Endorse Candidates From the Pulpit
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/us/politics/irs-churches-politics-endorse-candidates.html

Nothing new as RW evangelicals have been doing this for years.

[Anonymous]

They’ve been during this since at least Ronald Reagan when Jerry Falwell and company endorsed Reagan for potus. IRS did nothing. Now they’re just making it official, I guess.

[Anonymous]

This is not new. Lots of churches have been endorsing for decades, with the IRS saying nothing. Black churches in October/November have candidates speaking from the pulpit.

[Anonymous]

But yet they go after private universities that are deemed to be too leftist

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But yet they go after private universities that are deemed to be too leftist

Exactly, thank you! Rules for thee, but not for me.

[Anonymous]

Meanwhile, the longer range plan is to REMOVE nonprofit status from healthcare providers (this was in the January GOP Budget proposal) and the administration has talked about removing non-profit status from universities he doesn't like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not new. Lots of churches have been endorsing for decades, with the IRS saying nothing. Black churches in October/November have candidates speaking from the pulpit.

Funny you focus on Black churches and ignore the white evangelicals.

[Anonymous]

I cannot wait for the Imams and Rabbis to start with their endorsements too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I cannot wait for the Imams and Rabbis to start with their endorsements too!

Lol!