Judges Press IRS on Church Tax Break - February 8, 2008 - The New York Sun

The Scientologists make a lot of news these days, though very little of it is import. The linked article above is about a Jewish couple's attempt to get a tax break that is allowed by Scientologists. Apparently Scientologists undergo a training of some kind where they are required to shell out some cash. After years of lawsuits, "the IRS agreed to allow Scientologists to deduct at least 80% of the fees paid for "religious training and services."" It seems that the Jewish couple wants to deduct expenses for sending their kids to a religious school. The IRS doesn't see that as the same thing. The Court wants to explore that but the IRS isn't being helpful. "... the training Scientologists can deduct is not the same as religious education. "The use of the word 'training' in Scientology is not analogous to education," she said. "It's just another way of advancing spiritually in Scientology." I wonder if this will have any impact on Christians and their ability to deduct expenses related to "advancing spiritually" in Christianity.