‘Church Of Compassionate Service’ Sued For Alleged Tax Fraud

The U.S. Department of Justice has asked a federal court to bar a Utah man from promoting an alleged false church-based tax fraud scheme. According to the civil injunction suit filed against Kevin Hartshorn, Hartshorn works as a "senior minister" for the "Church of Compassionate Service." The suit alleges that Hartshorn falsely promises members of the organization that they can legally reduce or eliminate their federal income taxes, avoid filing federal income tax returns, and put their income and assets beyond the reach of the Internal Revenue Service by becoming "ministers" in the Church of Compassionate Service. 

The government complaint alleges that the Church of Compassionate Service claims its members are "ministers" who are required to take a vow of poverty, which supposedly eliminates their taxable income. The suit alleges the purported vows of poverty are false and the members continue to have access to their income notwithstanding the purported vow.