Question: Church Offering (tithe), is it tax deductible?

[Mr N8]

I claim mine every year, but you don't really get a deduction for it, unless it brings your income down to the next lower level.

 

[kranky]

Originally posted by: Mr N8
I claim mine every year, but you don't really get a deduction for it, unless it brings your income down to the next lower level.

Of course you get a deduction, assuming you itemize on Schedule A.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: kranky

Originally posted by: Skoorb
The only sin is that people have such a poor grasp of taxation that some actually think they are SAVING money by giving it away. Unless you have peculiar circumstances, like you make so much money that your capital gains tax is greatly lessened by lowering your tax bracket one year or something, then you're still ultimately LOSING money when you give it to a charity.

Now, Skoorb, no one gives to charity because they think they are going to make money on the deal. C'mon.

I think some do, but even if they don't, I know that some think others do it for this reason. One fool on the radio said that without the tax deductibility, people would not tithe, as if it was a second source of income for them or something. Sure they'd tithe, but they'd just tithe a little less (if they wanted the same net income every month). I often read about vague "lower my taxes" crap when people talk about deductions. I'm convinced that a lot of tax payers don't understand the tax system. I've heard, on rare occassions, that getting a raise can even cost a person money because it "puts you into the next tax bracket", but again, except in rare circumstances that is total bollocks.

 

[Drekce]

I love seeing all of the tithers in here. Add me to the list.

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
The only sin is that people have such a poor grasp of taxation that some actually think they are SAVING money by giving it away. Unless you have peculiar circumstances, like you make so much money that your capital gains tax is greatly lessened by lowering your tax bracket one year or something, then you're still ultimately LOSING money when you give it to a charity.

I tithe to support my church, not to "save" money in taxes.

 

[WayneTeK]

Originally posted by: JDub02

Originally posted by: Skoorb
The only sin is that people have such a poor grasp of taxation that some actually think they are SAVING money by giving it away. Unless you have peculiar circumstances, like you make so much money that your capital gains tax is greatly lessened by lowering your tax bracket one year or something, then you're still ultimately LOSING money when you give it to a charity.

I tithe to support my church, not to "save" money in taxes.

well if you CAN save money at the same time, why not? It's like getting bonus bucks on a credit card and never using it.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: SkoorbI think some do, but even if they don't, I know that some think others do it for this reason. One fool on the radio said that without the tax deductibility, people would not tithe, as if it was a second source of income for them or something. Sure they'd tithe, but they'd just tithe a little less (if they wanted the same net income every month). I often read about vague "lower my taxes" crap when people talk about deductions. I'm convinced that a lot of tax payers don't understand the tax system. I've heard, on rare occassions, that getting a raise can even cost a person money because it "puts you into the next tax bracket", but again, except in rare circumstances that is total bollocks.

My former boss bought a new truck for his business because he "needed the deduction." Which I didn't understand, because there's no way in the world he could have expected to make a profit that year.

 

[DAGTA]

Addressing asking if it's a sin: No, it's not. However, keep in mind that all actions and thoughts are recorded. God looks at intention. If your main purpose in giving is to give, then there's nothing wrong with being frugal about it and taking advantage of the tax laws and deductions. If your main purpose in giving is to get a tax write off and you don't really care about giving, then perhaps you need to consider it further.

 

[Karsten]

Originally posted by: xospec1alk
wtf is tide/tithe?

The principal rules of the tithe have been the following in the Old Testament: 1. A tenth of the fruits of the earth and cattle were to be given to the Levites. This was their compensation which made up for the fact that they had no inheritance among the Hebrews (Numbers 18:21). 2. The Levites in turn gave a tenth of their tithe to the Priests. This was generally to be delivered at Jerusalem after the exile and probably before the exile also. (Numbers 18:26, Nehemiah 10:38, 2 Chronicles 31:12). 3. Another tenth of the Levites tithe was to be eaten at a feast at the tabernacle (Deuteronomy 14:22). 4. Every three years this feast was to be celebrated by the people at their homes (Deuteronomy 26:12).

Link to more detail

 

[Gravity]

Old testament concept? Prolly not written to us..unless of course, you are Jewish.

OTOH, didn't Christ say "I prefer obedience more than sacrifice.?"

I also think that the Jewish tithe added up to around 33%.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I've heard, on rare occassions, that getting a raise can even cost a person money because it "puts you into the next tax bracket", but again, except in rare circumstances that is total bollocks.

Yeah, I'd heard that too...then when I actually started paying taxes, I realized that the "brackets" are, what, $50 on the tax table?😛

So I guess I can see a circumstance where a $10 raise could cost more than $10...but besides that it's crap.

 

[Pepsi90919]

you say tithe in your title but tide in your post

 

[frodrick]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I've heard, on rare occassions, that getting a raise can even cost a person money because it "puts you into the next tax bracket", but again, except in rare circumstances that is total bollocks.

Yeah, I'd heard that too...then when I actually started paying taxes, I realized that the "brackets" are, what, $50 on the tax table?😛

So I guess I can see a circumstance where a $10 raise could cost more than $10...but besides that it's crap.

it's because people think that if you move up a bracket, _all_ of your income is taxed at the new bracket. this of course differs from reality where only the income past the bracket is taxed at the higher amount.

 

[blakeatwork]

If you're a Paladin, I wouldn't suggest claiming the deduction, as it might shift your alignment. 😛

In Canada it's fully deductible, though I believe it's non-refundable.

 

[venk]

Originally posted by: WayneTeK
Curious, i'm gonna be paying a lot in taxes over the next year, but since tide is approximately 10% of your paycheck, can you report it as a tax deduction?

At the same time, would it be a sin to do it cause when you're giving money to the church, you're being selfish and thinking of yourself of saving money?

Welcome Back to the Forums !

 

[FoBoT]

Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:17?20)

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: DAGTA
Addressing asking if it's a sin: No, it's not. However, keep in mind that all actions and thoughts are recorded. God looks at intention. If your main purpose in giving is to give, then there's nothing wrong with being frugal about it and taking advantage of the tax laws and deductions. If your main purpose in giving is to get a tax write off and you don't really care about giving, then perhaps you need to consider it further.

:thumbsup: So many people don't seem to realize that God judges intentions and well as actions.

Originally posted by: frodrick
it's because people think that if you move up a bracket, _all_ of your income is taxed at the new bracket. this of course differs from reality where only the income past the bracket is taxed at the higher amount.

This is also true. So many people think it so important to get down a tax bracket, thinking that it will slash their taxes by hundreds, when that it not true. If you find an additional $1k in deductions to drop your tax bracket 5%, you only save $50 bucks (plus not having to pay taxes on the $1k at full amount of the lower bracket).

 

[Pepsi90919]

just stick out your left hand and it will be all good

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: WayneTeK
Curious, i'm gonna be paying a lot in taxes over the next year, but since tide is approximately 10% of your paycheck, can you report it as a tax deduction?

At the same time, would it be a sin to do it cause when you're giving money to the church, you're being selfish and thinking of yourself of saving money?

Only if you itemize your deductions. If you take the standard deduction then you can't deduct tithings.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Only if you itemize your deductions. If you take the standard deduction then you can't deduct tithings.

Well... if you only take the standard deduction then NOTHING else is deductible 🙂

 

[kranky]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: kranky

Originally posted by: Skoorb
The only sin is that people have such a poor grasp of taxation that some actually think they are SAVING money by giving it away. Unless you have peculiar circumstances, like you make so much money that your capital gains tax is greatly lessened by lowering your tax bracket one year or something, then you're still ultimately LOSING money when you give it to a charity.

Now, Skoorb, no one gives to charity because they think they are going to make money on the deal. C'mon.

I think some do, but even if they don't, I know that some think others do it for this reason. One fool on the radio said that without the tax deductibility, people would not tithe, as if it was a second source of income for them or something. Sure they'd tithe, but they'd just tithe a little less (if they wanted the same net income every month). I often read about vague "lower my taxes" crap when people talk about deductions. I'm convinced that a lot of tax payers don't understand the tax system. I've heard, on rare occassions, that getting a raise can even cost a person money because it "puts you into the next tax bracket", but again, except in rare circumstances that is total bollocks.

I'll agree that a lot of people don't understand the tax system. When I started at my job, some co-workers advised me to work no more than 12 hours of overtime in a week because after that, the taxes go up so high that you end up with LESS in your check. I asked them if they really thought that there was a tax bracket that was over 100% and they had only blank stares. Didn't even understand my question.

Of course, these are generally the same people who forfeit a 50% match on their 401(k) contributions because they "can't afford to contribute" while they drive new cars, wear designer clothes, and drink at places that charge $4 for a beer.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Only if you itemize your deductions. If you take the standard deduction then you can't deduct tithings.

Well... if you only take the standard deduction then NOTHING else is deductible 🙂

I thought that would be obvious by my statement.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: kranky

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: kranky

Originally posted by: Skoorb
The only sin is that people have such a poor grasp of taxation that some actually think they are SAVING money by giving it away. Unless you have peculiar circumstances, like you make so much money that your capital gains tax is greatly lessened by lowering your tax bracket one year or something, then you're still ultimately LOSING money when you give it to a charity.

Now, Skoorb, no one gives to charity because they think they are going to make money on the deal. C'mon.

I think some do, but even if they don't, I know that some think others do it for this reason. One fool on the radio said that without the tax deductibility, people would not tithe, as if it was a second source of income for them or something. Sure they'd tithe, but they'd just tithe a little less (if they wanted the same net income every month). I often read about vague "lower my taxes" crap when people talk about deductions. I'm convinced that a lot of tax payers don't understand the tax system. I've heard, on rare occassions, that getting a raise can even cost a person money because it "puts you into the next tax bracket", but again, except in rare circumstances that is total bollocks.

I'll agree that a lot of people don't understand the tax system. When I started at my job, some co-workers advised me to work no more than 12 hours of overtime in a week because after that, the taxes go up so high that you end up with LESS in your check. I asked them if they really thought that there was a tax bracket that was over 100% and they had only blank stares. Didn't even understand my question.

Of course, these are generally the same people who forfeit a 50% match on their 401(k) contributions because they "can't afford to contribute" while they drive new cars, wear designer clothes, and drink at places that charge $4 for a beer.

People in general *laugh* 😉

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: kranky

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: kranky

Originally posted by: Skoorb
The only sin is that people have such a poor grasp of taxation that some actually think they are SAVING money by giving it away. Unless you have peculiar circumstances, like you make so much money that your capital gains tax is greatly lessened by lowering your tax bracket one year or something, then you're still ultimately LOSING money when you give it to a charity.

Now, Skoorb, no one gives to charity because they think they are going to make money on the deal. C'mon.

I think some do, but even if they don't, I know that some think others do it for this reason. One fool on the radio said that without the tax deductibility, people would not tithe, as if it was a second source of income for them or something. Sure they'd tithe, but they'd just tithe a little less (if they wanted the same net income every month). I often read about vague "lower my taxes" crap when people talk about deductions. I'm convinced that a lot of tax payers don't understand the tax system. I've heard, on rare occassions, that getting a raise can even cost a person money because it "puts you into the next tax bracket", but again, except in rare circumstances that is total bollocks.

I'll agree that a lot of people don't understand the tax system. When I started at my job, some co-workers advised me to work no more than 12 hours of overtime in a week because after that, the taxes go up so high that you end up with LESS in your check. I asked them if they really thought that there was a tax bracket that was over 100% and they had only blank stares. Didn't even understand my question.

Of course, these are generally the same people who forfeit a 50% match on their 401(k) contributions because they "can't afford to contribute" while they drive new cars, wear designer clothes, and drink at places that charge $4 for a beer.

Deductions do lower your taxable income. When you fill out your 1040 you take your adjusted gross income and subtract the greater of your standard deduction or itemized deductions and your dependant exemptions. This gives you your taxable income figure which you use to look up in the tax tables how much tax you owe for the year.

Still, a $500 charitable contribution might lower your tax by only a buck or two.

 

[Munky]

Funny thread - never thought I'd see sin and taxes referred to in the same topic