HISTORY OF THE 'DONATION' ARRANGEMENT

1980

The state of California informs Jimmy Swaggart Ministries that tax is due or books and tapes sold in the tate since 1974. Swaggart eventually pays the tax - $183,000 - but sues for a refund.

FEBRUARY 1989

The U.S. Supreme Court rules that it is illegal for the state of Texas to xempt religious books from sales tax. This strikes down such exemptions in 15 states. Other states with sales taxes had been taxing religious books all along.

SUMMER 1989

The Society gives away new books, free of charge, released at U.S. Conventions, abandoning the long-standing practice of requiring fixed contribution for the books. Witnesses are instructed to place donations in contribution boxes to cover the cost.

JUNE 22, 1989

Watchtower society files a "friend of the court" brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in the Jimmy Swaggart ase, along with the National Council of Churches and the Society for Krishna Consciousness.

JANUARY 17, 1990

The U.S. Supreme Court rules against Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, declaring hat the sales tax must be paid.

FEBRUARY 9, 1990

The Watchtower Society writes letters to congregations announcing that literature will no longer be sold to the Witnesses at Kingdom Halls, and that no price will be set when the witnesses distribute materials door-to-door.

FEBRUARY 25, 1990

The February 9th letter from the Society is readat Sunday meetings of JWs cross the USA

MARCH 1, 1990

New policy of distributing literature without naming a price goes into effect in the USA. Other countries continue paying a set amount.

As you read the Feb. 09, 1990 Letter - note carefully that the word "tax" isn't even mentioned which indicates how the Society keeps from members from what happens "behind the scenes." Nor does it tell the USA Witnesses that this was to apply only to them.

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