List of 100 Watchtower Corporations [Reposted and Updated]

I posted this a few years ago, before the Society created the Christian Congregaton of Jehovah's Witnesses, Inc., Kingdom Services, Inc., etc. in their Oct. 2000 meeting. However, much of this is still true and useful:

Jim Whitney

what's the difference between special operations and special branches? some of those listed are like just normal kingdom halls, right?

Crazyblond,

I explained this above in my opening notations ... they are not normal Kingdom Halls, as these would have their own corporate names and cannot use the Society's corporate names. The Watchtower Society is rather fussy about a local congregation or Kingdom Hall usings its corporate name and would direct the congregation to cease if it did so.  For example:  a local congregation in Arlington Heights, Illinois might simply be called the North Arlington Heights Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, Inc.  It would be a separate Illinois corporation.  But, if the Society wanted to use their Kingdom Hall for a local operation or state branch, and for mailing purposes, it would form the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York Inc, dba Arlington Heights Kingdom Hall ... or something along those lines. The Society eithers sets up branches, special operations or reincorporates in each state. I have another list, and will add it one day when I get around to it.

Jim Whitney

We appreciate all the hard work.  Thanks for posting this info!!!

Swalker 

I also appreciate the extensive research you had to carry out to gather all this information. I wonder why does the WTS have so many corporation. Why so many? Could something fishy be going on with this?

I am not into economics or law but by seeing these figures what I get is the impression that the dubs are dealing with a business, and a very big business at that, and not a religion. The WTS has more in common with McDonalds rather than the early Church which they supposedly faithfully copy. It would be interesting to research their secret corporate world which is their real world, the religion side being only a front to cover their real nature and intentions.

All these corporations help dilute the control, and thereby the liability of any one group. Remember, the society was founded by a lawyer, and then "refined" by a token "judge". This structure is nearly impossible to disentangle.

I researched the income and expenditure of several local congregations and the corporation that manages the "Devil's Lake" assembly hall. One year the expenses dramatically increased for using the assembly hall. I suspect the various Kingdom Halls and other corporations are playing a version of "hide the assets". It's probably much worse the higher you go up in the organization.

greendawn and jgnat,

I did a bit of digging on the Canadian charities database this morning. Here's a portion of their 2006 return.

My point is that the only source of new money is the rank and file in the congregations. Any other "expenses" or "income" is moving money between administrative entities. I've categorized the Canadian entities by type.

Only the Congregations have members. The Circuits and Assembly Halls are administrative entities only. Of all new giving, about $8 million is funnelled through the assemblies and circuits back to the Watch Tower Society, Canada. In turn, the Canadian office is contributing over half their income ($15 million) overseas (US Bethel?).

jgnat,

Thanks for posting the financial information.  Someday US non-profits will have to do this too.

Yes, you have a good point:  When 500 to 1500 JWs show up at an Assembly Hall, they give donations that more than cover operating expenses (usually).  And the revenue from the food sales also runs a profit (usually).  So, the surplus funds are donated by vote back to either the Branch office in each country, or to 'mother' in New York.  The idea is that these are 'donations for the worldwide work' and are not declared profits.  Of course, the main office in New York then uses these 'donated' funds from Canada and other nations to continue its operations.  JWs then donate through their Kingdom Halls and at times directly.  They also 'donate' for the literature which covers the cost, and does not make the Society dependant on the 'donations' form the householders.  But they get that money too.  Also, large and small estates are donated ... and the Society holds many large assets which, is sold, can turn a healthy profit ... but as long as they are not giving dividends to Society stockholders, and retain the funds for non-profit religious use, then it goes untaxed ... and it accumulates and must be invested or put in accounts off shore (Swiss Bank maybe?).

It works similarly in business.  I operate retail plazas and condominium projects.  The only 'profit' in the plazas is the direct draws the owners take each quarter.  These are equivalent to dividends.  All other funds retained by me are considered operating funds.  We can pass from one year to the next with as little as $200 to as much as $50,000.  However, the difference is that income property owners want the 'profits' and are willing to pay the tax to get it.  Also, they are operated for profit.  But, as long as we retain funds in our operating account and reserve account, it is not declared profit, and is not taxed.

Jim Whitney

Amazing.  Wow...this took a lot of work and research and we thank you.  You, too, jgnat. 

Do either of you know if any of the fat cat officers of these corps. have their own personal corps. set up that perhaps "service" the WTBTS with vendor-type companies or service-type companies?

I have to also wonder if those hidden officers might have side businesses either in their name or a family member's name that might be beneifitting from the org.

What I found interesting in my review of the tax returns is that congregations and assembly halls DONATE THE SAME SURPLUS every year. Except for that jump in donations one year that I noted. That tells me that "mother" has directed her child organizations how much they are to donate.

Journey-on:

I doubt it.  They may have wealthy family ... but the power and prestiege of leading a $ multi-billion corporation with near absolute control over the lives of over 6-million people is keeping them pretty busy ... you know, worrying about what new rule to create to DF people or increase magazine sales.  There are JWs who I believe have businesses that provide services ... take a look at Bethel Tours, Inc.

Terry:

Here is my question: who does the auditing of the cash? Outside parties or inside parties? Secular or "connected"?

I don't know for sure ...  Our congregation and Circuit audits were always in-house.  I was one of the auditors.  ... But, I suspect that the Society has either trained, or sent JWs to business school so they can keep their audits in-house ... not necessarily because they would have anything to hide (though they could be hiding at least one thing I know about) but because they do not want to divulge what they deem to be private.

K, for geeks like me, the 2006 return is just full of little nuggets. The Watch Tower Society (Canada) in it's abundant munificence, paid out a total of $8,050 to three needy congregations. Their charity underwhelms.

Name of Qualified Donee: TAGALOG WEST CONGREGATION OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES

Location: TORONTO, ONTARIO

BN/Registration Number: 119288918 RR 1413

Total Amount of Gifts: $ 50

Amount of Specified Gifts: $ 0

Associated Charity: Yes

What can a congregation do with $50.00??????

Is this how they show they world what a great charity there are?

wanna