Avoid property taxes: declare your home a church!

So, say you own a nice home in a nice neighborhood, with a view. But the taxes on the place are killing you. What to do?

Declare your home a church!

Man's home is castle—and church

State gives Lake Bluff estate a religious break worth $80,000 in property tax, but village says not so fast to pastor-owner

When George Michael placed a cross on the side of his lakefront mansion, neighbors assumed the decoration was simply a display of the man's religious faith.

What his neighbors didn't know is that Michael had decided to convert his $3 million residence into the Armenian Church of Lake Bluff, qualifying him for a nearly $80,000 break on his annual property tax bill.

Now, locals are questioning whether the property is a church at all. Village officials wonder how they'll be able to make up the lost revenue, and residents worry that their share of the tax burden will grow as a result.

OK, so the guy claims that he took this action in order to make it easier for his wife and daughter, who are disabled, to attend services of their faith. He went and got himself an online clergification. He opened a bank account in the name of the church, and deeded the house over to it. Printed up some bylaws and weekly bulletins. Signed up 10 friends and business associates as members. Then filed with the state for his exemption from taxes. And got it.

Pretty slick move, eh?

Er, maybe not. See, the local village has these zoning rules . . .

Meanwhile, Lake Bluff officials notified Michael that if he is running a church, he'll need to pay more than $115,000 in fines for failing to get the village's permission, setting up a possible court battle.

Heh. You can't fight city hall, though it seems like Mr. Michael is trying.

Jim Downey

Hat tip to ML for the story!