IRS Confirms: Pastors Can Support Political Candidates Without Losing Tax-Exempt Status

WASHINGTON (AP) — The IRS has announced that pastors endorsing political candidates from the pulpit shouldn’t fear losing their tax-exempt status. This change suggests a potential exemption for religious groups from the Johnson Amendment, a rule created in 1954. Named after then-Senator Lyndon Johnson, this amendment restricts tax-exempt organizations, including churches, from engaging in political endorsements.

Recently, in a joint court filing aimed at ending a lawsuit against the IRS, the agency teamed up with the National Religious Broadcasters Association and others to request a federal court in Texas to halt the enforcement of the Johnson Amendment against them. The plaintiffs argue that the amendment infringes on their First Amendment rights, specifically the freedom of speech and religion. They want the law interpreted so that it doesn’t apply to typical communications between a religious congregation and its members during services.

The New York Times first reported this court filing. Historically, the IRS has not strictly enforced the Johnson Amendment regarding political discussions in places of worship.

Former President Donald Trump pushed to eliminate the Johnson Amendment during his presidency. In 2017, he signed an executive order urging the Treasury Department to overlook the regulation. At a National Prayer Breakfast that same year, he claimed, “I will get rid of and totally destroy the Johnson Amendment and allow our representatives of faith to speak freely and without fear of retribution.”

This issue has sparked much debate. A survey by the Pew Research Center found that nearly 65% of Americans believe religious leaders should avoid political endorsements. In contrast, many within evangelical communities feel that their voices are suppressed under current regulations. This underscores a growing divide in public opinion about the role of faith in politics.

Earlier this year, Republican lawmakers introduced new legislation aimed at nullifying the Johnson Amendment entirely. Discussions around this topic highlight a significant cultural shift regarding the separation of church and state in America.

For more detailed information about the Johnson Amendment, visit the IRS’s official website.

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