Virginia Strips Tax Exempt Status From Confederate Groups

Organizations that honor traitors, perpetuate racism, and twist history should not have tax-exempt status, which is why it’s a good thing that Virginia just stripped Confederate groups of their longtime exemption from paying state taxes.

Governor Abigail Spanberger (D) has wasted no time since winning the election last year to enact sweeping changes in the state to reverse damage done by Republicans. But one item on the agenda this year ends a practice that deprived precious tax dollars from the citizens of Virginia for over 100 years.

It took over 100 years, but Virginia, the state where the Confederacy headquartered its traitorous government during the Civil War, is finally ending state tax exemptions for the organizations that have desperately been trying to keep “Lost Cause” mythology and racism alive ever since.

Since 1894, the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) and other similar groups have been exempt from paying state taxes, even as they continue to profit from the treason of their ancestors. The UDC alone reportedly possesses $15 million in assets and hauled in $2.1 million in revenues in 2025, according to Pro Publica. That robs Virginians of tax dollars that could be used to fund healthcare, education, and other needs in the state.

Of course, the UDC and other Confederacy-propping organizations are already whining about it, ridiculously comparing themselves to churches in an argument against losing their tax-exempt status. Frankly, taxing the churches sounds like a great idea as well, especially the mega-churches that take in millions and billions of dollars every year and act as hiding places to avoid taxation on homes, vehicles, and everything in between.

The Confederacy only lasted four years. There are so many things in this country that have lasted more than four years and have had a greater cultural impact that don’t have tax-exempt status. Groups that honor dead traitors don’t deserve it. This is especially true since these groups often push lies about Civil War history, including that the North started the war and that the war wasn’t fought over slavery.

These groups are not special. They think they are, but they’re not. The Confederacy is part of Virginia’s history, but it shouldn’t be an excuse for tax evasion. With these new tax revenues, Virginia can invest in building a better future and leave the Confederacy in the dustbin of history.

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