News Release
For Immediate Release: 5.6.25
Contact: Peyton Drew, media@firstliberty.org
Direct: 972-941-4453
IRS Closes Investigation of Missouri Church that Provided Campaign Information to Church Members
After First Liberty attorneys step in, IRS Investigation ends, affirming its “activities continue to allow” St. Louis church to remain tax exempt.
St. Louis, MO—First Liberty Institute and attorneys at Jones Day announced that the IRS closed its investigation of Grace Church in St. Louis, Missouri. The IRS’s decision to close its investigation, first opened in 2022, during the local school board elections where the church researched candidate websites and reported that information to church members.
“Pastors educate their members on a great many things. Educating members about the political position of candidates with information the candidates themselves provided should never result in an investigation by the IRS,” said Jeremy Dys, Senior Counsel for First Liberty Institute. “We are pleased that the IRS not only closed its investigation, but affirmed that this church’s activities do not threaten its tax-exempt status. Other churches should feel free to do likewise, if they so choose.”
“The IRS’s inquiry into Grace Church ran headlong into the First Amendment,” said John Gore, partner at Jones Day. “We are grateful that this matter is closed, and the IRS has recognized that this fundamental freedom applies to America’s churches.”
In 2022 during local school board elections, Grace Church posted information on the church website about positions local candidates held. Two candidates were members of the church, and the church encouraged its members to support them for being willing to run for office. The IRS opened an investigation during the Biden administration and attorneys with First Liberty and Jones Day responded to the IRS’ investigation asserting that the basis for its investigation was unconstitutional and an exercise in futility. Last week, now under the Trump administration, the IRS closed its investigation.
During the first Trump administration, President Trump directed his agencies to cease enforcement of the Johnson Amendment. Now, members of Congress, led by Sen. James Lankford (OK) and Congressman Mark Harris (NC), have introduced the Free Speech Fairness Act to remove the ability of the IRS to investigate churches like Grace St. Louis.
“The Johnson Amendment violates this nation’s historic respect for the independence of its houses of worship by inviting the IRS to investigate churches for political advantage,” Dys said. “The Free Speech Fairness Act goes a long way to restoring this nation’s commitment to protecting our houses of worship and the religious liberty of its leaders.”
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About First Liberty Institute
First Liberty Institute is a non-profit public interest law firm and the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom for all Americans.
To arrange an interview, contact Peyton Drew at media@firstliberty.org.
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