IRS: Religious Colleges Can Still Keep Tax-Exempt Status While Discriminating Against Gays
The IRS is promising to turn a blind eye to religious schools, colleges, and universities that continue to practice anti-gay discrimination.
The IRS has absolutely no plans or intention to take away the tax exempt status of religious schools, colleges, or universities that practice discrimination against LGBT people. IRS Commissioner John Koskinen made the commitment – surprising in the wake of the Supreme Court’s June 26 ruling that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marriage – at a Senate hearing last week under examination by GOP Senator Mike Lee.
“Will you commit to me that while you remain on as the commissioner,” Sen. Lee, one of many Republicans calling for President Obama to fire Koskinen, “you will not in the absence of a directive by Congress or by the courts, take any action to remove the tax-exempt status from religious colleges and universities based on their belief that marriage is between a man and a woman?”
Commissioner Koskinen responded, “I can make that commitment.”
Conservatives and the religious right, back in April during oral arguments on marriage at the Supreme Court, seized on a comment made by Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli when asked about religious colleges losing their tax-exempt benefits. Verrilli had said, “it’s certainly going to be an issue. I don’t deny that.”
According to Koskinen, it will not be an issue, at the very least for years to come.
Should the federal government choose to even think about removing the tax-exempt status of religious educational institutions, the IRS and Treasury would work together and ensure public input.
“There would be no surprises. We’re not sneaking up on anybody,” Koskinen promised. “The public would have plenty of notice and plenty of opportunity to comment, and that’s not going to happen in the next two and a half years,” he insisted.
Sen. Lee is pushing a bill, the First Amendment Defense Act, which would ensure religious organizations are permanently protected in their choice to discriminate against LGBT people.
Â
Image: Screenshot via senatormikelee/YouTube

Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.
![]() |