Tax break rescinded for Carter Co. clergymen

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Posted: 6:21 PM Jun 3, 2008
Last Updated: 6:33 PM Jun 3, 2008
Reporter: Robin Beal
Email Address: robin.beal@kxii.com

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CARTER COUNTY, Okla. -- Clergymen in Carter County are now required to pay property taxes on their privately-owned homes, after a decision was handed down late last week by the county equalization board. Robin Beal reports.

The issue has sparked controversy in recent weeks, as county tax assessor Kim Cain raised questions about a long-standing practice in Carter County to provide property tax exemptions for homes owned by religious leaders themselves.

Parsonages, or homes owned by churches, are not subject to the new policy. The churches simply allow the minister to live there. This deals with privately owned homes.

Carter County had been the only county in the entire state of Oklahoma to exempt professional ministers from having to pay taxes on their personal homes, but it hasn't always been that way. The exemption was first offered in 1996.

Now, the official decision from the county equalization board says if you're a pastor, and you own your own home, you now have to pay taxes on that home.

"In the Attorney General's opinions that I got it to me clearly stated that what should be exempt was the parsonages and not the personally-owned home by the pastor," Carter County assessor Kim Cain says.

Cain says this new taxation policy is expected to bring in around $35,000 each year.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Mork Location: Ork on Jun 5, 2008 at 05:02 PM
Jesus likes Ceasar Salid?

Posted by: Mom Location: Oklahoma on Jun 4, 2008 at 03:03 PM
It is about time. Most ministers are given a housing allowance anyway. They should have to pay taxes just like everyone else.

Posted by: boo-boo Location: ardmore on Jun 4, 2008 at 08:55 AM
I agree with ardmoreite. For too many years this town has been run by folks with only their own best interests in mind. I have been waiting for years for these bad eggs to retire and fade away (of course they made sure their pockets were well padded with hard working peoples money before they left). Now maybe we can start enjoying our city the way it was intended.

Posted by: Anon Location: Ardmore on Jun 4, 2008 at 08:11 AM
When Jesus was asked about his view on paying taxes, he said, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s." Matthew 22:21. I'm not sure what he had to say about the subsequent whining that ensued.

Posted by: ardmoreite on Jun 3, 2008 at 08:07 PM
It amazes me that the exemption was legal to begin with...anyone that has lived in the Ardmore area for any length of time knows exactly who was the assessor at that time...and what his motivation was..

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