The Supreme Judicial Court today better defined just what sort of property a religious organization can claim a tax deduction on - and wildlife sanctuaries and buildings entirely rented out to non-religious groups are not included - but cafeterias and gift shops can be.

The ruling comes in an appeal by the Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, which objected to the Attleboro board of assessors demanding $92,292.98 in taxes be paid in 2012 on 110 acres of land on which the Mass. Audubon Society has an easement, a former convent now rented to a safe house for battered women, a shrine welcome center and a shrine storage building Read more.