Q. Do you think that secular nonprofit institutions—universities, hospitals, private schools, art museums, even state governments—should pay real estate taxes to the local government?
A. Yes, for this reason: All owners of land and buildings in a community—whether for-profit or nonprofit entities—use the basic services provided by their city or county.
Because most of these services, such as sewers, roads, police and fire protection, are funded by real estate taxes, it’s reasonable that every owner should pay something. (That includes, in my view, a state government that owns land and buildings in one of its constituent local jurisdictions.)
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
But I am sympathetic to the desire of nonprofits, especially small charities struggling to raise money in these challenging times, to avoid bearing any new expense.
If the citizens of a city or county wish, they could vote to give local nonprofits some degree of discount from a normal tax bill. And they could phase in the new property taxes gradually. Many nonprofits, especially wealthy private colleges, already make substantial voluntary payments to local governments in lieu of property taxes.
Sometimes these negotiated amounts come close to the actual bill that would typically be levied on real estate of that value. But I think it would be cleaner if nonprofits were subject to formal assessments and taxation, at either a full or discounted level.
What about churches? I’d leave their present tax exemptions in place, because there is the potential danger of a government using its taxing power against an unpopular religion and violating First Amendment rights. But I would urge churches to make voluntary payments in lieu of property taxes.
As for income taxes, Congress gave all nonprofits a waiver in 1917, and state and local governments followed suit. That is fine with me. Charities are already subject to tax on their “unrelated business income”—profits from enterprises they run that are not directly related to their charitable operations.
-
RMD Deadline April 1: Five Tax Strategies to Manage Your 2025 IncomeTaxable Income The April 1, 2025, deadline for required minimum distributions (RMDs) is fast approaching for retirees who turned 73 in 2024.
-
Rising AI Demand Stokes Undersea InvestmentsThe Kiplinger Letter As demand soars for AI, there’s a need to transport huge amounts of data across oceans. Tech giants have big plans for new submarine cables, including the longest ever.
-
Tax-Deductible Home Improvements for Retirement in 2025Retirement Taxes Your aging-in-place plan could benefit from the medical expense tax deduction. But watch out for capital gains and property taxes.
-
New Colorado Tax Credit: What’s the Scoop?State Tax Everything you need to know about the Colorado family affordability tax credit in 2025.
-
Key Family Tax Breaks Are on the GOP Chopping Block This YearTax Credits Several tax breaks, including the Child Tax Credit, may face reforms or be cut entirely as lawmakers seek revenue for Trump’s tax plans.
-
What's Going on With New Jersey Property Tax Programs?Property Tax ANCHOR and ‘Senior Freeze’ just got a refresh, and there’s a new program: Stay NJ. Learn how to save on New Jersey property taxes.
-
Five States With the Largest EITC ChecksEITC Households in these states received a larger Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) last year.
-
Downsize in Retirement With 2025 Tax Benefits: Three Key StrategiesRetirement Taxes Downsizing retirees may benefit from tax savings, lower utility bills, and freed-up income. But could a new presidency impact your home sale?
-
Gov. Hochul Vows to Deliver $1 Billion in Tax Relief to New YorkersState Tax The proposed tax cuts would benefit New York middle-class families.
-
Maryland Property Tax Assessment: What It Means for YouState Tax Amid a growing deficit, Maryland property values are rising. Here’s more of what to know.
