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To: Edward Killen – Commissioner of the Tax-Exempt and Government Entities (TE/GE) Division.
Tax the Mormon Church
To:
Internal Revenue Service
Exempt Organizations Division
1111 Constitution Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20224
Subject: Formal Petition and Request for Review of Tax-Exempt Status of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints under IRC Section 501(c)(3)
Dear Commissioner and Officials of the Exempt Organizations Division,
We are writing to you on behalf of the undersigned citizens, taxpayers, and petitioners who are deeply concerned with accountability, transparency, and the strict enforcement of federal tax laws regarding religious organizations.
We formally petition the Internal Revenue Service to conduct a comprehensive review, audit, and examination of the tax-exempt status of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), its affiliated entities, and its holding corporations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Our concerns and grounds for requesting this review include the following considerations:
Accumulation and Management of Commercial Assets: Public reports, whistleblower allegations, and financial disclosures (such as those concerning Ensign Peak Advisors) have raised significant questions regarding whether the accumulation of tens of billions of dollars in investment portfolios—largely detached from immediate charitable, educational, or religious disbursements—exceeds the operational standards required of non-profit entities.
Commercial vs. Religious Activities: We ask the IRS to examine whether certain commercial enterprises, real estate holdings, and for-profit investments owned or controlled by the Church operate in a manner inconsistent with the exclusive religious and charitable purposes mandated by Section 501(c)(3), or whether such activities generate unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) that requires proper reporting and taxation.
Transparency and Accountability: Tax-exempt status is a public trust granted in exchange for a demonstrable public benefit. We urge the IRS to verify that all financial holdings, asset transfers, and expenditures strictly comply with federal regulations governing non-profit organizations, ensuring that religious privileges are not utilized to shelter vast commercial wealth from taxation.
As taxpayers, we rely on the Internal Revenue Service to uphold the integrity of the tax code and ensure fair, equitable application of the law across all tax-exempt entities, regardless of denomination or size.
We respectfully request a formal acknowledgment of this petition and an inquiry into whether the operations and financial management of the LDS Church comply fully with federal tax-exempt requirements.
Thank you for your time, diligence, and commitment to enforcing the laws of the United States.
Internal Revenue Service
Exempt Organizations Division
1111 Constitution Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20224
Subject: Formal Petition and Request for Review of Tax-Exempt Status of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints under IRC Section 501(c)(3)
Dear Commissioner and Officials of the Exempt Organizations Division,
We are writing to you on behalf of the undersigned citizens, taxpayers, and petitioners who are deeply concerned with accountability, transparency, and the strict enforcement of federal tax laws regarding religious organizations.
We formally petition the Internal Revenue Service to conduct a comprehensive review, audit, and examination of the tax-exempt status of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), its affiliated entities, and its holding corporations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Our concerns and grounds for requesting this review include the following considerations:
Accumulation and Management of Commercial Assets: Public reports, whistleblower allegations, and financial disclosures (such as those concerning Ensign Peak Advisors) have raised significant questions regarding whether the accumulation of tens of billions of dollars in investment portfolios—largely detached from immediate charitable, educational, or religious disbursements—exceeds the operational standards required of non-profit entities.
Commercial vs. Religious Activities: We ask the IRS to examine whether certain commercial enterprises, real estate holdings, and for-profit investments owned or controlled by the Church operate in a manner inconsistent with the exclusive religious and charitable purposes mandated by Section 501(c)(3), or whether such activities generate unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) that requires proper reporting and taxation.
Transparency and Accountability: Tax-exempt status is a public trust granted in exchange for a demonstrable public benefit. We urge the IRS to verify that all financial holdings, asset transfers, and expenditures strictly comply with federal regulations governing non-profit organizations, ensuring that religious privileges are not utilized to shelter vast commercial wealth from taxation.
As taxpayers, we rely on the Internal Revenue Service to uphold the integrity of the tax code and ensure fair, equitable application of the law across all tax-exempt entities, regardless of denomination or size.
We respectfully request a formal acknowledgment of this petition and an inquiry into whether the operations and financial management of the LDS Church comply fully with federal tax-exempt requirements.
Thank you for your time, diligence, and commitment to enforcing the laws of the United States.
Why is this important?
The Mormon Church as described by its founder Joseph Smith in his July 23, 1843 discourse has functioned as a political organization since its inception, anticipating the eventual demise of the U.S. government and the establishment of a theocracy. This strategy is thoroughly documented in Klaus J. Hansen’s book, Quest for Empire: The Political Kingdom of God and the Council of Fifty in Mormon History (University of Nebraska Press).
Today, this political philosophy continues to resonate with right-wing extremist politicians. Indeed, prominent members of the organization have secured key leadership and ideological roles in political movements such as Turning Point USA and the Trump administration. Although church leadership officially denies political affiliations, its financial contributions such as funding efforts to protect Idaho's abortion ban tell a different story.
By removing the tax-exempt status of the church, we aim to make it clear to the general public that this functions as a political organization rather than a pure religious entity. Ultimately, this petitio seeks to protect the rights of non-members to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience."
Today, this political philosophy continues to resonate with right-wing extremist politicians. Indeed, prominent members of the organization have secured key leadership and ideological roles in political movements such as Turning Point USA and the Trump administration. Although church leadership officially denies political affiliations, its financial contributions such as funding efforts to protect Idaho's abortion ban tell a different story.
By removing the tax-exempt status of the church, we aim to make it clear to the general public that this functions as a political organization rather than a pure religious entity. Ultimately, this petitio seeks to protect the rights of non-members to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience."