Senator Charles Grassley, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, yesterday released his review of tax issues raised by six media-based ministries. From his press release:
Grassley wrote to six media-based ministries in November 2007, based on requests for review from members of the public who wrote to him because of his previous tax-exempt oversight work. In addition, these ministries had received media coverage and attention from watchdog groups. One of the six ministries, Joyce Meyer Ministries, responded fully to Grassley’s inquiry and joined the ECFA in March 2009. Benny Hinn of World Healing Center Church also provided complete answers to all questions. Both ministries wrote to Grassley to explain they have undertaken significant internal governance reforms. “I appreciate these efforts,” Grassley said. “Self-correction can be more effective than government action. It’s something that’s worked with other entities I’ve looked at, such as the Nature Conservancy and the Smithsonian Institution and some top colleges that were amassing large endowments without increasing student aid.”
Four ministries either did not provide any information or provided incomplete information. Randy and Paula White of Without Walls International Church, Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church/Eddie L. Long Ministries, and Kenneth and Gloria Copeland of Kenneth Copeland Ministries submitted incomplete responses. Creflo and Taffi Dollar of World Changers Church International/Creflo Dollar Ministries declined to provide any of the requested information. Findings regarding those organizations are summarized in the staff review.
Grassley has formally asked the ECFA to consider the issues raised by staff and spearhead a discussion about how to address those issues.
Press and blogosphere coverage:
