Position

The ELCA opposes repeal of the estate tax.

The ELCA supports amending the estate tax by increasing the amount excluded prior to the imposition of the tax which would eliminate the concerns raised by small businesses and farms.

Reasons for Position

The repeal would:

• Exacerbate income disparities;
• Reduce charitable giving (Research indicates anywhere from $13 billion to $25 billion a year);
• Makes the tax code more regressive.
• Reduce the revenue available to provide adequate public funding for income assistance to vulnerable populations without providing a progressive alternative.

ELCA Policy Base: (All policy positions taken by ELCA are based on the Social Statements previously passed by the voting members of the Churchwide Assembly or other governing documents of the ELCA.)

The “Sufficient Sustainable Livelihood for All” social statement (adopted by more than two-thirds majority vote – 872- 124 in 1999) states:

“We are called to be stewards of what God has given for the sake of all.”

“Government is intended to serve God’s purposes by limiting or countering narrow economic interests and promoting the common good.”

“Paying taxes is an appropriate expression of our stewardship in society…”

“Huge disparities in income and wealth, such as those we face in this country, threaten the integrity of the human community.”

“Those who are rich and those who are poor are called into relationships of generosity from which each can benefit.”

The “Sufficient Sustainable Livelihood for All” social statement calls for:

“…citizen vigilance and action that challenges governments and other sectors when they become captive to narrow economic interests that do not represent the good of all;”

“government to provide adequate income assistance and related services for citizens, documented immigrants, and refugees who are unable to provide for their livelihood through employment;”

“adequate, consistent public funding for the various low-income services non-profit organizations provide for the common good of all;”

“correction of regressive tax systems, so that people are taxed progressively in relation to their ability to pay;”