The U.S. Supreme Court is preparing to hear a case that could significantly impact how religiously affiliated organizations operate nationwide. At the center of the issue is whether organizations like Catholic Charities can be required by states to pay unemployment insurance taxes.

The case stems from a challenge in Wisconsin, where Catholic Charities Bureau and several related nonprofit groups argue that they should be exempt from unemployment taxes because of their religious mission. They claim that requiring them to pay the taxes violates their First Amendment rights to religious freedom.

Catholic Charities describes itself as the “social ministry arm” of the Diocese of Superior, offering services such as care for the elderly, assistance to the

disabled, and support for low-income families. The group contends these services are an expression of their faith, even though they are not openly religious in presentation or require recipients to follow a specific religion. Read more below