Your Taxes Are Higher Because Religion Pays Nothing

Mike takes a drive through his hometown and counts the true cost of religious property tax exemptions. In just one ZIP code, he identifies 7 religious parcels representing $31 million in assessed value—all exempt from property tax.Drawing on data from the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, the IRS and his local tax assessor, Mike explores how this "tax base erosion" shifts the financial burden of local services onto residents. He challenges the "charity defense," notes the lack of IRS Form 990 reporting for churches, and argues that public subsidies should require public evidence of community benefit.Links:IRS Exempt Organizations Research Report: How Secular Humanists (and Everyone Else) Subsidize Religion in the United StatesLincoln Institute of Land Policy: "Reexamining the Property Tax Exemption"Lincoln Institute of Land Policy: "Significant Features of the Property Tax" Listener Question:Do you think churches should be required to file public financial disclosures (Form 990) just like secular charities?Visit us at www.Atheistville.com  for more content from Mike Smithgall and the Atheistville team 📺 Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@atheistville 💬 Want to be a guest or submit a question? Drop us a note at CONTACTCheck us out at: https://atheistville.buzzsprout.com  🔥 New episodes weekly from Atheistville — Mike Drop with Mike Smithgall, Ask an Atheist, and The Unholy Roundtable, Breakfast With a Heathen © 2025-2026 Atheistville Media