U.S. Supreme Court to Decide on Religious Charities and Unemployment Taxes

SOURCE www.npr.org
The U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether charities run by religious groups have to pay unemployment taxes, with Catholic Charities challenging Wisconsin's decision to deny them exemption from such taxes.

Key Points

  • The U.S. Supreme Court will review whether charities run by religious groups should be exempt from unemployment taxes.
  • The case involves Catholic Charities challenging Wisconsin's denial of exemption based on the charity's activities being deemed secular.
  • The decision could have implications for the separation of church and state as well as the free exercise of religion.

Pros

  • Catholic Charities provides valuable services to the poor and disadvantaged without discrimination based on race, sex, or religion.
  • The charity does not proselytize or conduct religious activities, focusing on humanitarian aid.

Cons

  • Wisconsin's labor commission and state Supreme Court have ruled against Catholic Charities' exemption from paying unemployment taxes, deeming their activities mostly secular.