By: Associated Press//September 15, 2011//
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Freedom From Religion Foundation wants a federal tax provision that allows church ministers tax breaks on money spent on housing declared unconstitutional.
The Wisconsin State Journal reports the Madison-based organization filed a lawsuit Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Madison. It claims the provision violates the Constitutional provision separating church and state.
The foundation is challenging the constitutionality of Section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code that allows “ministers of the gospel” to exempt the costs of homeownership or rent from their income.
John Witte is director of the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University in Atlanta. He expects the case to gain little traction since the Supreme Court has said tax exemption cases are for the legislature, not the courts.
Information from: Wisconsin State Journal, http://www.madison.com/wsj