The Wisconsin Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of the Catholic Charities Bureau (CCB) regarding its eligibility for a tax exemption from the state's unemployment system. This decision came after a previous ruling from the U. S. Supreme Court that favored the charity.
• Background of the Case: The CCB sought a tax exemption from Wisconsin's unemployment system since 2016 but faced repeated denials from the state, culminating in a case that reached the U. S. Supreme Court.
• U. S. Supreme Court Ruling: In June, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously (9-0) that the Wisconsin Supreme Court's application of the law violated the First Amendment, affirming the need for government neutrality towards religion.
• Wisconsin Supreme Court's Response: Following the U. S. Supreme Court's ruling, the Wisconsin Supreme Court instructed the state to grant CCB the tax exemption that had been previously denied.
• Attorney General's Challenge: Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul continued to argue against the exemption, asking the Wisconsin Supreme Court for further briefing to potentially negate the exemption altogether, suggesting it would address the First Amendment concerns cited by the U. S. Supreme Court.
• Final Ruling: On December 16, 2025, the Wisconsin Supreme Court rejected Kaul’s proposal and reaffirmed that CCB is indeed eligible for the religious purposes exemption from unemployment taxation under Wisconsin law. They instructed the lower court to implement this change.
• Reactions to the Decision: Eric Rassbach, the Vice President of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, hailed the decision as a significant victory for CCB and other faith-based organizations, criticizing the Attorney General for persisting in his opposition against the charity.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court's latest ruling solidifies Catholic Charities' entitlement to a tax exemption, aligning with the U. S. Supreme Court's earlier ruling. This decision highlights the ongoing legal disputes over religious organizations' rights and governmental actions in relation to such entities. Rassbach's comments emphasized the need for the state to accept the ruling and stop impeding charities that serve the public.
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