We represent a large and influential Mosque in Philadelphia which has been in existence for over 20 years. The Mosque was not just a place of worship, but it also contains a K-8th grade school and serves as a community center, near 4th and Germantown Avenue. Even though we had secured IRS section 501c3 non-profit status years ago, and have continually complied with all levels of governmental regulation, the City of Philadelphia would not agree that the Mosque was entitled to tax-free status for local property taxes (like churches, synagogues, private schools, etc).

The City required that we prove the Mosque was a “charitable organization”. We appealed the tax assessment and litigated the matter for over 18 months. I am pleased to report that on December 24, 2013, the Board of Revision of Taxes issued a decision that our client is only responsible for a tax on 2% of the property (representing the portion of the property that is “for-profit”—a small restaurant located inside the building.

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