Kanye West performed Sunday Service at the 2019 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California. According to the IRS website, the status of Sunday Service as a tax-exempt organization was revoked on May 15, 2024. Initially, Sunday Service had been granted an exemption from federal income tax as it was listed as a 501(c)(3) organization, encompassing various purposes such as religious, educational, charitable, and more. Sunday Service, founded by West in 2019, attracted a blend of gospel music and Christian worship, drawing celebrities, fans, and believers to what became one of Hollywood’s most mysterious and unusual events.
Two years later, West filed to register the outfit as a tax-exempt non-profit. While West has not been seen at a Sunday Service session since June of the previous year, the group continues to be directed by choir director White, although their relationship appears strained. The group is now functioning as a choir rather than a non-profit. A source revealed that additional arrangements are being made, as they are setting up an LLC for Sunday Service Collective.
West had invested a significant amount of money in marketing for the group, including performances at Coachella and an opera at the Hollywood Bowl. West faced legal issues with some Sunday Service members and staff in 2020, resulting in class action lawsuits being filed against him for alleged mistreatment. The lawsuits claimed violations of California labor laws, including underpayment, denial of meal and restroom breaks, involving more than 500 performers and 300 crew members. In June, it was reported that West had reached a settlement with them for $1.35 million, despite their initial claim for damages exceeding $10.5 million.
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