Can I become a Hutterite colony?

[bgmb]

Any reason the average family farm cant convert over to a Hutterite Colony Business structure? Seems these changes if they come into affect will not stop the tax avoidance schemes the colonies have going on. I don't totally understand their structure but I am sure they income split evenly between all members then donate it all back to the church so they pay no tax and the church runs the business?

[blackpowder]

Along with no capital gains?

[bgmb]

I guess if you never sell you never have capital gains. Who owns a church? interesting concept? I am sure some colonies read this site, care to chime in on your business structure?

[Tucker]

I believe they have 'commune' status with Revenue Canada. This means they can split all income between colony members without any actual disbursements. Kinda bullshit if that's the way it works, I can't even do that with my kids.

[ajl]

Unfortunately thanks to conscription, we ended up with the colonies in Canada. Hutterites will never pay in taxes what they consume in government services. (Think schools on a colony, teachers paid by school district) Mind you most farmers don't either until the day they sell up. But if the day of selling never comes, then most farms are a drain on the public purse.

[perfecho]

A quick google....:
Hutterites lost their religious tax exemption status in 1961. Colonies pay taxes on net income divided by the number of colony workers older than 18. They do not collect premiums for the Canada Pension Plan or social assistance.Feb 19, 2009

[farmaholic]

Sounds like being a Hutterite is a special status.

Cradle to grave socialism.

Pros and cons to their "lifestyle".

[Braveheart]

Forget joining up. Just stand at stud there.

[bgmb]

so if a colony has 50 adult members and makes 1,000,000 per year thats only 20,000 per member income. they must enjoy all the low income handouts the government gives out. nice income splitting scheme.

I still wonder how the assets are owned? everything owned by the church?

[farmaholic]

Forget joining up. Just stand at stud there.

Do I have to be of German ancestry and speak Deutsch?

[bgmb]

In no other industry would businesses have to compete against the likes of hutterites and pension funds

[grassfarmer]

Now here's a thread about jealousy. Do you think they should pay capital gains if they don't sell and would that also apply to non-Hutterite multi-generational farms? If you know how they operate it makes perfect sense that they are able to split income between all the members. One thing about the Hutterites is they are all committed to the job and way of life.
Contrast that to a dentist I used to have in AB that had a corporation that owned some farmland (rented out) and sprinkled income between teenage kids - none of which had anything to do with the business of the corporation - dentistry. Retired to fish on the west coast before he was 50. The Government may not have worked out every detail for every sector involved just right yet but I certainly applaud them trying as there are certainly abuses that need tightened up on.

[sofa.king]

One good way to save money for govt is to stop paying people for having children. I know of people who make a living for crapping out kids and they are the ones who benefit most from govt.

[Horse]

GF boy you better duck ,there will be all kinds of name calling and hate mail coming your way.

[grassfarmer]

GF boy you better duck ,there will be all kinds of name calling and hate mail coming your way.

Funny you mention duck - it's like water off a duck's back lol. My own experience with Hutterites is they've been some of the best neighbours I've ever had while some of their most vocal critics have been some of my worst. I judge people by how they act, not by what others say about them.