There are rules to everything in life, and we are expected to do things according to how they should be done so that everything can function well. Whether we like the rules or not, we must follow it, because they are part of the things that keeps society in order. The same applicable to taxes. Honestly, nobody likes to remove part of the hard earned money to give to government, but taxation is one of the main way government generates revenue to provide public services and develop the country.
When it comes to taxes, I believe the majority of people are paying tax in one way or the other even without them knowing. Just like when we go to the supermarkets to buy groceries, pay for certain services or subscribe to different packages. VAT (Value Added Tax) is added to what pay for. Even sometimes, it is already added to the price of the goods we buy, while in other cases, it is listed separately maybe on our receipt. Even ordinary things like when we purchase airtime or subscribe to data, VAT is also added. So, paying of taxes is only for the rich people or businesses owners like many of us will think.
However, the way people pay tax are different, For an example, employee tax is deducted straight from their salaries, while business owners on the other hand are expected to sort out their own their own tax obligations. People who don’t have businesses or work in formal employment place still contribute somehow through indirect taxes whenever they buy taxable goods, just like I mentioned initially . So In one way or the other, payment of tax has become part of our daily lives.
Now, when it comes to places of worship, I have a different opinion about it. Personally, I see churches and mosques as non-profit religious organizations. So I will be somehow difficult to call the money they receive through voluntary donations as business income. People give offerings, tithes and donations willingly to support religious work and also to run their places of worship. They don’t buy any products or pay for a commercial service in return for those contributions. So, I don’t think such donations should be subjected to taxation.
Just imagine a situation where someone gives money to support a neighbour who is struggling financially. Would it make sense for the government to take a percentage of that contribution simply because money has changed hands? Nah, I don’t think so.I believe that Intention matters a lot, and think that same logic should apply to voluntary religious donations.
I used to be very close to my priest and from talking with him, I got to understood that money received by the church does not just remain with the parish. He told me that a good part of it channelled through the wider church structure, including Rome, and this is done to support religious activities and to support people who are in need. Religious bodies also give back to the society through charity, by helping struggling families and other humanitarian activities we can think of.
That is why taking taxes from voluntary religious contributions doesn’t sit well with me. at all, because it just like taxing someone for collecting money from people who willingly contributed towards helping the less privileged. They don’t make profit from their donations like a business would.
However, I believe a clear line should be drawn when a religious institution ventures into commercial activities. For instance, if a church builds a hospital or a school where people have to pay for services, I believe that the revenue from that should follow normal tax laws. Because A hospital or school renders a service people pay for, and that can generate a taxable income. Just because it is owned by a religious institution should not automatically make it tax-free.
But if that’s not the case, religious organizations should not be expected to pay Tax. There’s difference between money generated from donations and income gotten from business. I believe the difference should be recognized by the law.
Images were created with AI
