Thread by @HoustonChron

In many places across Texas, clergy residences are extravagant estates nestled in the most exclusive enclaves. But unlike their wealthy neighbors, they don't pay taxes.
✏️ @Dexinvestigates, @byjayroot, @stephanierlamm
📷 @jonjshapley
➡️houstonchronicle.com/news/investiga…

Most people know that religious organizations pay no property taxes on their houses of worship. Lesser known is that many also get a valuable break on clergy homes or "parsonages" too.
houstonchronicle.com/news/investiga…

The word “parsonage” conjures images of humble, spartan rooms attached to drafty churches. A few still are.

But others are spacious and well-appointed homes with immaculate grounds, tennis courts, swimming pools, decorative fountains and serene grottos. houstonchronicle.com/news/investiga…

And because they don’t pay taxes, other Texans are left to backfill the uncollected revenue to cover the cost of schools, police and firefighters. A first-of-its-kind investigation analyzing thousands of pages of property records found 4 key points…
houstonchronicle.com/news/investiga…

1: The state’s most populous counties ID'd 2,683 parsonages worth about $1B, costing other Texans who must fund school districts and local governments $16M every year. The true cost is almost certainly higher. houstonchronicle.com/news/investiga…

2: There is no dollar limit to a parsonage’s tax exemption. At least 28 of the clergy residences were worth more than $1 million. houstonchronicle.com/news/investiga…

3: Compared to some other states, Texas’ parsonage law is vague and permissive, allowing appraisers little leverage to question the legitimacy of a religion or clergy member - essentially an honor system. houstonchronicle.com/news/investiga…

4: In Texas’ largest counties, @HoustonChron ID'd more than 30 parsonages for which appraisers had granted the 100% tax break even though they exceed the law’s 1-acre limit. Thirteen of those appraisers are now initiating reviews after our findings. houstonchronicle.com/news/investiga…

Supporters say the clergy residence tax break can offset living costs for spiritual leaders earning low salaries. It also permits religious charities to perform more good work, lightening the government’s burden of caring for the less fortunate. But ... houstonchronicle.com/news/investiga…

... Texas already grants 100 percent tax breaks on tens of billions of dollars worth of property owned by religious organizations. The off-site parsonages add hundreds of millions more to that figure. houstonchronicle.com/news/investiga…

Property taxes pay for much of Texas’ public education as well as for government operations. Every tax dollar not contributed by a church for a clergy leader’s home is money other local property owners must make up to cover the government’s costs. houstonchronicle.com/news/investiga…

Challenging a religious organization is far down many appraisers’ list of priorities.

Joe Bobbitt, who oversees valuing property in a county home to both Baptist-affiliated @Baylor and the Branch Davidians, says “It’s not a fight you want to pick.” houstonchronicle.com/news/investiga…