The Black Informant | African American Commentary, News and Community Building

Voicing concerns that outside groups may be specifically targeting black and other ethnic churches by triggering federal investigations, U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek today asked IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson to make public the number of predominantly black, Caucasian, Hispanic, and other ethnic churches that are presently the subject of U.S. Internal Revenue Service investigations into their tax exempt status.

”Concerns have been raised that black churches in Florida have been unfairly and disproportionately singled out or targeted for government scrutiny because of routine church activities that have been a part of the African American community for generations,” Meek said. “A letter from the IRS can have a chilling effect on churches, and we need to be sure that the power of the government is being properly directed and not used to harass or intimidate. I asked the IRS to release these basic facts about their inquiries or investigations of churches because there is no other way to gauge whether these suspicions are justified.”

Under federal law, churches are tax exempt and therefore not permitted to participate in partisan political activities. It was recently reported that Friendship Baptist Church in Miami, FL is under investigation by the IRS because of a visit by Senator John Kerry along with black leaders, including Meek, last fall. The First Baptist Church of College Hill in Tampa, FL was also under investigation for a visit by 2002 Florida gubernatorial candidate Janet Reno. Both churches serve primarily African American congregations. The IRS is also investigating the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People because of a July 2004 speech given by the group’s chairman, Julian Bond.

Although the IRS is prohibited by law from divulging information on pending investigations, Meek noted that he has requested only general information that would not reveal any details about specific agency actions.

(click here to visit his site along with the letter he wrote to the IRS)

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If only black churches are being targeted, then I think Meek may be on to something; otherwise, investigations into how churches (who otherwise do not publicize their budgets to parishioners) spend money is long overdue.

Let’s not forget non-profits in general!