Copeland Ministries Seek IRS Audit To Show Credibility

Officials from Eagle Mountain International Church/Kenneth Copeland Ministries have decided it’s OK for the IRS to go over their taxes, expenses and income with a fine-toothed comb, but they still aren’t fond of the idea of a senator doing it.

The Houston Chronicle reported that Copeland’s television ministry, which grosses millions, has actually requested an IRS audit to prove that they are fiscally responsible. This decision comes after a challenge posed by Sen. Chuck Grassley and the Senate Finance Committee in November of last year.

Church Solutions reported in the March issue that Grassley and the Senate Finance Committee sent letters to six large televangelist ministries, Copeland included, asking them to report specifics about travel, luxury purchases, salaries and other information. All six ministries maintain the “church” label with the IRS, which allows them to be tax-exempt. Some have cooperated – notably Joyce Meyer and Benny Hinn – and some have not – notably Creflo Dollar and until recently, Copeland.

In the letter to the IRS, attorneys for the ministry say Grassley and the committee can obtain the information from the IRS after it conducts its audit of the ministry. Grassley and the committee could still subpoena Copeland to turn over financial documents

In a news release submitted to Christian News Wire, a representative from Copeland Ministries writes, “KCM has no problem with giving the government the information Senator Grassley has requested, so long as the Church's constitutional rights are respected.” The greatest debate surrounding Grassley’s requests has been whether or not they violate the First Amendment.

The IRS calls for pastoral salaries to be “reasonable” after weighing numerous factors, including size of church membership and the figure’s importance to the church. IRS rules prohibit individuals from profiting substantially from tax-exempt work.

Copeland Ministries is based in Fort Worth, Texas.