Kanye West’s Sunday Service gospel choir has reportedly lost its charity status due to the group’s failure to file tax returns for three consecutive years. The IRS revoked the choir’s tax-exempt status on May 15, as they did not submit the required Form 990-series returns, according to The US Sun.
Established by the 47-year-old rapper in 2019, the Sunday Service choir initially received federal income tax exemption as a 501(c)(3) organization, which includes various types of nonprofit groups, such as religious and charitable organizations. As of August 12, the revocation of their charity status remains in effect.
Kanye launched Sunday Service to feature gospel performances every weekend, with their first public appearance at Coachella in 2019. They also collaborated with Pastor Joel Osteen at Lakewood Church later that year. Although tickets for the event were free, some were resold online for as much as $500.
In addition to losing its charity status, Kanye has faced legal troubles with former Sunday Service members and staff. In 2020, more than 500 performers and about 300 crew members filed class action lawsuits against him, alleging mistreatment, underpayment, and violations of California labor laws. One performer, Michael Pearson, claimed he was paid a flat rate of $250 per day without breaks, often forced to stand all day and walk home when transportation was not provided.
In June, it was reported that Kanye reached a settlement with the Sunday Service performers and staff for $1.35 million, despite their initial claims seeking over $10.5 million in damages.
Meanwhile, Kim Kardashian has signed a first-look deal with Disney’s 20th Television to develop scripted shows. The 43-year-old reality star’s deal comes after her role in the latest season of FX’s American Horror Story and her participation in the upcoming Hulu legal drama All’s Fair, both produced by Ryan Murphy.
As part of her first-look deal, Kim will collaborate with her friend La La Anthony and Black-ish creator Kenya Barris on a series based on La La’s best-selling book The Love Playbook: Rules for Love, Sex, and Happiness. Titled Group Chat, the show is already in development, with Kenya creating the series and La La set to star. Kim expressed her excitement, saying, “I’m incredibly interested in telling stories that are personal, complicated, and relevant from my own experiences and those familiar to me.”
