Who controls CST?

[NCSP]

^ How many churches can you name that have "Tax Compliance Officers" posted within the organization and whose members are threatened with excommunication if they mention having unpaid taxes? Even if such mention is made in "priest-penitent-privileged" conversations?

How many churches (or organizations of any kind) have, after decades of hostilities by the IRS plus convictions of federal crimes, been suddenly granted tax exempt status? Even when that church is widely viewed by the public and media as a fraud and having a history of "anti-government" activities?

You can believe what you want, of course, but I believe there is little doubt that the CoS is an IRS-occupied zone.

For decades, CoS chased desperately after a federal tax exemption. Finally, in 1993, they got it (by whatever means, it doesn't really matter for purposes of this argument). Whatever leverage they used to get their exemption, they know can't last forever, so they bend over backwards to institute policies that demonstrate their compliance in case the IRS later becomes less amenable. To me, that's all those policies are. They know they got tax exemption by the skin of their teeth and are desperate to keep it -- not just for the money, but for the air of legitimacy it gives.

 

[AnonKat]

IAS

You are missing the biggest point.

IAS

For decades, CoS chased desperately after a federal tax exemption. Finally, in 1993, they got it (by whatever means, it doesn't really matter for purposes of this argument). Whatever leverage they used to get their exemption, they know can't last forever, so they bend over backwards to institute policies that demonstrate their compliance in case the IRS later becomes less amenable. To me, that's all those policies are. They know they got tax exemption by the skin of their teeth and are desperate to keep it -- not just for the money, but for the air of legitimacy it gives.

 

[NCSP]

You are missing the biggest point.

IAS

I'm sorry, I'm not sure what you mean. I know what IAS is, and that they were involved in the IRS "war" -- but I'm not sure what IAS has to do with the CoS needing to do whatever it takes to keep their tax exemption.

 

[AnonKat]

I'm sorry, I'm not sure what you mean. I know what IAS is, and that they were involved in the IRS "war" -- but I'm not sure what IAS has to do with the CoS needing to do whatever it takes to keep their tax exemption.

A large non taxed private slushfund for DM all legalized and rubberstamped by the IRS, IAS was never about the people (members) but all about money for DM to spend as he pleases. The members are just dress up, part of the decor.

 

[Mick Wenlock]

A large non taxed private slushfund for DM all legalized and rubberstamped by the IRS, IAS was never about the people (members) but all about money for DM to spend as he pleases. The members are just dress up, part of the decor.

except that it existed long before the IRS agreement, it was outside of the USA and not under IRS scrutiny. That was the POINT OF IT.

 

[Mick Wenlock]

^ You guys have every right to believe anything you like, even that DM has US government agencies under his thumb. It does make for an amusing mental picture: DM in dominatrix garb whipping the naughty G-men into submission.

But, you'll have to pardon me now as I need to stop laughing and get some work done ...

Have fun!

quick, time to fold your tinfoil hat neatly and square it firmly on your head.

 

[AnonKat]

irony

You may not realize it, but the Internal Revenue Service was onto the IAS way back in 91-93 during the tax exemption negotiations. But, under Miscavige’s leadership, we got them right off of it. In our own defense, neither Mike nor I, nor anyone else with the possible exception of Monique Yingling, really knew what DM’s ultimate designs for the IAS were. The IRS was intensely interested in the IAS on the issue of “excessive reserves.” Stockpiling “excessive reserves” is one indicia of commercialism.

LOL at IRONY http://marty-rathbun.com/2010/05/28/ias-an-intentional-fraud/

The IRS was considering taking IAS reserves into account when examining Church of Scientology International’s (and RTC by extension) reserves. It seemed to them that if DM and co in Hemet were controlling IAS, then its then-fledgling, but already substantial, reserves ought to be considered CSI’s. If IAS membership – and thus donations – were required as a condition precedent in order to take services in a church of Scientology, then clearly IAS – and what it did with its significant sums of money – would come under a tremendous level of scrutiny.

The IRS came up with independent evidence to support their concerns. Read the church’s response:

except that it existed long before the IRS agreement, it was outside of the USA and not under IRS scrutiny. That was the POINT OF IT.

 

[NCSP]

A large non taxed private slushfund for DM all legalized and rubberstamped by the IRS, IAS was never about the people (members) but all about money for DM to spend as he pleases. The members are just dress up, part of the decor.

That seems to me all the more reason why all the tax compliance policies are just an attempt to keep the image of CoS squeaky clean vis-a-vis the IRS. They have a lot to lose if the IRS decides to take a closer look sometime, and DM & Co. know very well that administrations change, policies change, and whatever voodoo they pulled to get the exemption in the first place won't necessarily last forever. If they have policies in place that seem to demonstrate that they're zealous about following IRS policy, then they can cry foul if the IRS starts making noises about revocation.

All I'm saying is that there are perfectly reasonable (if scummy) explanations for why CoS is so serious about taxes without all this "IRS in charge of CST" moonbattery being even a little bit true.

 

[exsomessenger]

CST

Where do you think CST staff come from? they are picked out of SeaOrg orgs. If CST was over RTC why would DM take people below him and promote them to a position to control him?

I was in the CST org as a division head. Prior I was a messenger in the CMO. I had to go through tuns of sec checking to be cleared to go up to the CST base. There were about 20 staff at CST at the time and all of us were very young with the exception of about 5 people.

I can say, first hand, that DM runs CST. There are no outside people running it. No matter what the paperwork states. It is just that, paper.

The reality is that the ASI funds all of CST's construction projects and COB runs all of this. I remember reading an advicece talking about how to hide everthing by making umbrella corps.