Another Tithing Quandry...

[tubaloth]

Background:

I was never raised to pay tithing on Gifts. (I know others are) We paid tithing on money we earned and any interest we got (from the bank of dad savings).

It wasn't until on my mission a companion of mine got a card and some money for his birthday and said he needed to pay tithing. This lead me to ask my mission President about it. The Mission President said its kind of a gray area. If you want to pay it on money you are given then you can. He said you can't really pay on a shirt you are given (or a gift card). He said its completely up to you. So I never have paid on Gifts. And Honestly I never even think about it.

Last is I have always paid tithing before Taxes. I did that because when I was first working I got all my taxes back. But the last 3 years (I think) I have had to pay more taxes. That still hasn't changed anything I pay my tithing off of the top, pre-taxes.

Situations: (All having to deal with buying a house)

1. My Realtor gives you a cut of what they get from the closing of the home. Its kind of like getting cash back so to speak. Would you pay tithing on this?

2. Because I just bought my home I get the $8,000 tax credit from the government (I still have to apply for it). I kind of view this as money I already put into the "System". Would you pay tithing on it?

3. I am considering getting a roommate to help pay the bills. Should this money that I get from him, which I use to pay off the morage, be consider Income? Would you pay tithing on it? (this one is probably the easiest)

Thanks

[bytebear]

On the first two, I would say don't tithe, and here's why. You are getting a discount of some kind by spending money. If you didn't buy the home, you wouldn't get the discount. I think of it like a coupon. If you use a $1 off coupon at the grocery store, you shouldn't have to pay tithing on that dollar saved. It's the same with your realtor and the government.

The third case, I would say, you should pay tithes on rent, as it is an earned cost. but, remember this is increase, so only pay based on the amount minus any expenses that the tenant incurs.

[mnn727]

Situations: (All having to deal with buying a house)

1. My Realtor gives you a cut of what they get from the closing of the home. Its kind of like getting cash back so to speak. Would you pay tithing on this?

This is your money you are getting back, you've already paid tithing on it. If the realtor were honest they would just lower their original fee rather than rebate you money. No tithing in my opinion

2. Because I just bought my home I get the $8,000 tax credit from the government (I still have to apply for it). I kind of view this as money I already put into the "System". Would you pay tithing on it?

We (the taxpayers) including you are paying for this. Again it would be double tithing in my opinion as you've already paid the taxes on this money the goverment is "giving" you [the government redistributes money it takes, it does not generate cash]

3. I am considering getting a roommate to help pay the bills. Should this money that I get from him, which I use to pay off the morage, be consider Income? Would you pay tithing on it? (this one is probably the easiest)

Thanks

Probably, treat it like a business, income minus expenses to generate that income = profit (or increase)

in other words: rent minus advertising to get roommate minus their share of the utilities minus any other expenses incurred because you have a room mate = profit or increase

my 2 cents worth

Edited January 8, 2010 by mnn727

[Moksha]

This makes me think that another field the glut of law school students might expand into would be tithing law. Helping set up shelters for those who can afford it may be a career possibility.

[Gatorman]

Let me ask a variation. Let's say the following:

Salary - 3000 per month

Post Taxes - 2500 per month

Mortgage on Rental Property - 1500

Rent Received - 1000

So...What would you pay in tithing?