The second deadline passed yesterday for the charismatic televangelists who were asked to submit tax-related documents to Sen. Charles Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee.
As of March 31, Kenneth Copeland and Creflo Dollar have both not indicated an intention of complying with the senator’s requests.
Four of the six ministries under investigation that remain have either complied, or have shown a willingness to comply.
At close of business yesterday Grassley’s office reported that Benny Hinn’s ministry had sent additional documents in an ongoing process of compliance while lawyers for Randy and Paula White told Grassley’s staff last week that the Whites’ first batch of documents were in the mail.
Eddie Long’s ministry told Grassley’s office last week that the information the senator requested would be in by April 15.
Joyce Meyer’s ministry sent the majority of her tax-related information by the deadline Grassley originally requested last November. His office has indicated that Meyer has “cooperated substantially.”
The documents being requested would conceivably clear up Grassley’s suspicions that the TV-based ministries have mishandled or misused tax-exempt donations.
“It’s good to see the majority of the ministries offering information,” Grassley said. “They receive generous tax-breaks as non-profit organizations. In general, the federal treasury forgoes billions of tax-dollars a year to tax-exempt groups. The ministries sharing of material with the Senate Committee in charge of tax-policy shows an interest in accountability for their special tax status.”
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