I was wondering why the society went from selling their literature to a donation basis. Does anyone have any information on this?
From selling the literature to Donation a basis
by sandy 6 Replies latest jw friends
-
-
sandy
Sorry this is under the wrong subject.
One more question.... Was there ever a $ amount printed on any of the literature?
-
Elsewhere
This change happened immediately after the US courts decided that the IRS could tax anything a religious organization sold.
Of course the WTS portrayed it as a "simplification". Yeah... a "simplification" on their tax liability.
-
RunningMan
Here is the time line of how the whole thing happened. I would like to give full credit to whoever wrote this up, but I can't remember where I found it. As you can see, their motivation is obviously that of tax expediency - nothing else.
? Early 1980 - State of California informs Jimmy Swaggart Ministries that tax is due for religious books and tapes sold in the state since 1974. Swaggart eventually pays the tax--$183,000.00--but sues for a refund. The case begins moving toward the U.S. Supreme Court.
? February, 1989 - U.S. Supreme Court rules it is illegal for Texas (and 14 other states) to exempt religious books from sales tax. Some states had been taxing religious books all along.
? Summer, 1989 - Society gives away ?free? books released at U.S. conventions. Witnesses are instructed to place donations in contribution boxes to cover the cost.
? June 22, 1989 - Watchtower Society, files Amicus Curiae (friend of the court) brief with U.S. Supreme Court in Jimmy Swaggart case. Others filing similar briefs include National Council of Churches and Society for Krishna Consciousness.
? January 17, 1990 - U.S. Supreme Court rules against Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, declaring that the sales tax must be paid.
? February 9, 1990 - Society writes letter to congregations announcing that literature will no longer be sold at Kingdom Hall and no price will be set in door-to-door distribution.
? February 25, 1990 - February 9th letter from Society is read at Sunday meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses across the United States.
? March 1, 1990 New policy of distributing literature without naming a price goes into effect.
? The March 15, 1990, WATCHTOWER magazine and March 22nd AWAKE!--printed earlier--still say ?25 cents (U.S.) a copy? and ?$5.00 (U.S.) per year.?; The April 1, 1990, Watchtower no longer carries a price.
? March 11, 1990 Announcement is made at Kingdom Halls in the U.S. that food will be available at no cost, on a freewill donation basis, at conventions.
-
Elsewhere
I never really understood why they have been so adamantly opposed to collecting sales tax with their sales. It seems that if every other business can do it, why can't they?
Maybe they want that extra 8.25% for themselves. I have heard of congregations being refused literature shipments if their donations did not at least match the value of the literature.
-
fairy
It has been that way here in australia for some time.
It happened right after the government brought in the "GST" - goods and services tax.
The donation thing is so they dont have to pay tax.
-
fairy
I forgot something........even at the kingdom hall they dont pay for the books and magazines like they did before......you go to the counter, ask for what you want and then make a "donation"