DALLAS
News that the U.S. House of Representatives voted to repeal part of the 2017 tax reform law that would have caused churches and other nonprofit organizations to pay taxes on parking made available to their pastors and other employees is welcome news, said GuideStone® President O.S. Hawkins. The deal moves to the Senate, where there is cautious optimism it will pass and then be forwarded to President Donald Trump for his signature.
“The parking tax was always a bad idea, and we are thankful to see the U.S. House of Representatives act in a bipartisan manner to repeal this part of the tax reform law,” Hawkins said. “We will continue to advocate, alongside our Southern Baptist partners, and as part of the Church Alliance, for the U.S. Senate to move swiftly in also passing this repeal. The repeal will benefit the churches, ministries, pastors and others we are privileged to serve.”
GuideStone and fellow Church Alliance members work to ensure that legislation and regulations that impact employee benefits fully consider the impact on the unique nature of church benefit programs. It was founded in 1975 in response to clarifications needed for the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, known as ERISA. Former Annuity Board (now GuideStone) President Dr. Darold H. Morgan, who passed away last week, was an original architect of the Church Alliance.
The Church Alliance publicly commented on the parking tax twice in 2018 and earlier this year, noting its “fundamental opposition to the taxation of churches and church-related ministries.”
-30-
_____________
Roy Hayhurst is director of denominational and public relations services for GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention®.
Media Contact
Roy Hayhurst
Director of Denominational and Public Relations Services
GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention®
Roy.Hayhurst@GuideStone.org | (214) 720-2141
News