Last chance for your Scientology refunds?
Ex-contributors and ex-staff members may only have until December 31, 1998

FACTNet alert
August 26, 1998

Ex-Scientologists who may be eligible for refunds and/or back-pay from Scientology may never have a better opportunity or more leverage to retrieve their money than between now and December 31.

In December, 1998, Scientology's tax-exempt status will be reviewed by the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the final time, and then - the IRS is convinced Scientology has abided by its 1993 IRS agreement - nonprofit status will become permanent. Thus for the next few months, it is crucial for Scientology to see that its operations appear to be above legal reproach.

According to Scientology's application for tax-exempt status, it must refund donations it has received if donors so request. If you feel you were deceived by Scientology or did not receive what you were promised, demand your donations back!

And legally, Scientology could be liable to provide back-pay for the many who have labored long hours for the `church' far below minimum wage, often only receiving $10 or $24 per week. Receiving $24 for a 40-hour workweek equals sixty cents an hour; for a not-unheard-of 100-hour week, twenty-four cents an hour. An individual would be owed almost $10,000 for each year worked at $24 per week rather than a minimum wage of $5.15 an hour, assuming only a 40-hour workweek; at an 80-hour week it would be over $20,000. It is illegal to pay workers less than minimum wage. Don't let Scientology get away with profiting from your slave labor! Demand the back pay you are owed.

To request refunds and/or back pay, FACTNet would recommend sending a very brief letter to each of the organization(s) money was donated to or worked for, stating the amount of money requested, and providing a date by which it is expected (e.g., by October 31, 1998). Make sure you tell them who to make out the check to and where to send it. FACTNet will set up a section on the web site with sample letters (see www.factnet.org over the next week or so for details).

If Scientology does not immediately recompense you be sure to report it to the IRS and/or to federal and state departments of labor. As a result, the IRS may not finalize the Scientology's nonprofit IRS status, and departments of labor may investigate illegal employment practices.

FACTNet believes that people who are owed remuneration from Scientology deserve to know that the next few months are crucial. Please contact anybody and everybody you know who may stand to be justly compensated, and let them know this may be their last real chance to get their money back.

This editorial opinion provided by FACTNet, Inc. FACTNet is a nonprofit Internet library dedicated to protecting freedom of mind from harms caused by destructive cults and mind control. FACTNet's web page is located at www.factnet.org and has received over 1,950,000 hits since January 1997. To search numerous Internet sites on cults and mind control, visit the FACTNet web site. If you would like to subscribe to our free FACTNews newsletter please go to http://lists.factnet.org/mailman/listinfo/factnet-news ~ Appropriate re-distribution and re-posting of this document is appreciated.