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Scientology's Abuses Violate IRS RegulationsDue to its illegal and unethical actions, Scientology is not eligible for tax-exempt status. You can find IRS addresses< at their web site - or you can call them toll-free at 1-800-829-0433. IRS Policy: Illegal Acts Disqualify an Organization from Exempt StatusScientology's illegal actions disqualify the group from tax-exempt status. According to the IRS web site<:
From IRS Publication 557<:
From the IRS Internal Revenue Manual<:
Scientology's Illegal - and Non-Exempt - ActivitiesA substantial portion of Scientology's activities serve non-exempt purposes. Harassment:Scientology spends significant amounts of money on lawyers and private investigators< with the sole intention of harassing those who have spoken out against the organization's abuses. Scientology spends millions of dollars in court to harass critics<.
Among those targetted by Scientology PIs< since 1993:
These actions follow Scientology policy, which states, ""The purpose of a lawsuit is to harass and discourage rather than to win. ... The law can be used very easily to harass ... If possible, of course, ruin him utterly." Extortion:Scientology executives practice extortion on disaffected members and perceived enemies, in accordance with Scientology's policy on fair game.
Holding Members Against their Will:In the aftermath of Lisa McPherson's death< after 17 days in Scientology's custody, Scientology now requires participants to sign a waiver permitting Scientology to hold them against their wil<l, without contact with family or friends.
Fraud:Scientology makes false representations about the organization and its practices to potential and current members, and pressures members to pay for services they are ineligible to receive.
Interfering with Electronic Communications:Scientology staffers and volunteers conspired to disrupt computer networks and forged thousands of racist and profanity-laden newsgroup messages under the names of critics of Scientology<. The forged messages were traced back to active Scientologists. Former Scientologist Tory Christman (alias "Magoo") has described her unwitting part in this scheme<. Attacking Psychiatry:Scientology and its front groups (especially CCHR, Citizens Commission on Human Rights) carry out campaigns in furtherance of Scientology's stated goal to "eradicate psychiatry<." This raises costs for citizens who seek these types of medical services and interferes with their free access to the best medical treatments. Attempting to influence legislation also makes them ineligible for tax-exempt status.
Write to the IRS< and request an investigation of Scientology's illegal uses of tax-exempt funds. Report Scientology's illegal activities and point out that they are thereby disqualified from tax-exempt status - and remember to inquire why the IRS grants Scientology a tax deduction no one else gets<. While you are writing to the IRS, you might want to drop a quick note to your elected officials and the editor of the local paper requesting an investigation into Scientology's illegal uses of tax-exempt funds. |