Should religion be taxed

[Leofric]

Originally Posted by optrex

I just missed out on the first topic you posted

I really cannot understand why you dont join a religon based forum. Lets be honest here, you may have feelings about the subject, but its clear you dont know anything about how it works in the UK. Quoting US sources (and in many cases just forwarding their comments) has little to do with the way it works over here.

If you are going to argue the point, at least do some reseach and give us a REAL argument, instead of spouting crap.


Ministers of any church get a salary, (or stipend) that is Income Taxed, they buy goods and food, both of which are subject to Value Added Tax. If they drive they are subjec to Road Tax and Fuel Tax, same with gas and electric.

Of course they are Taxed, we ALL are!

You are wrong. Religions don't pay income tax, corporation tax or capital gains tax on their income.

This is because they are "charities" and one of the criteria for being a charity is the "advancement of religion" which includes preserving religious places.

They should be taxed like any other business IMHO. To think the state actually allows people who spread superstition, racism and homophobic views is bad enough. That they get financial benefits is disgusting.

[jobee]

Originally Posted by Leofric

You are wrong. Religions don't pay income tax, corporation tax or capital gains tax on their income.

This is because they are "charities" and one of the criteria for being a charity is the "advancement of religion" which includes preserving religious places.

They should be taxed like any other business IMHO. To think the state actually allows people who spread superstition, racism and homophobic views is bad enough. That they get financial benefits is disgusting.

Thank you leofric-the voice of TRUTH and reality-indeed- a breath of fresh air
on this forum where 'clickiness' seems to be the order of the day-give me the person who 'stands alone' ANYDAY-

[optrex]

I think some of you need to research this rather than make rash statements.

Lets take the follwing link from the HMRC itself shall we?

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/pdfs/2002_03/...101m_notes.pdf

To quote another souce "All churches who have a payroll need to comply with the regulations relating to the deduction of income tax and national insurance from stipends and salaries."

[jobee]

Originally Posted by optrex

I think some of you need to research this rather than make rash statements.

Lets take the follwing link from the HMRC itself shall we?

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/pdfs/2002_03/...101m_notes.pdf

To quote another souce "All churches who have a payroll need to comply with the regulations relating to the deduction of income tax and national insurance from stipends and salaries."

is that your own page I can't open anything up-you will have to do better than that--most people I know think religion is a charity- i would ban
organised religion Ive read 'the history of the catholic church' they are
disgusting- genocidal- some of those popes were mad even insane

[optrex]

Its a PDF document direct from HM Revenue and Customs.

Try downloading Acrobat reader if you can't open it. Acrobat reader is available from here Adobe - Adobe Reader Download - All versions

[Shizara]

I have no problem displaying this file on the PC and have just been to the RISC OS where, though the process is different, it still opens the pdf file and displays the contents.

[Leofric]

Originally Posted by optrex

I think some of you need to research this rather than make rash statements.

Lets take the follwing link from the HMRC itself shall we?

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/pdfs/2002_03/...101m_notes.pdf

To quote another souce "All churches who have a payroll need to comply with the regulations relating to the deduction of income tax and national insurance from stipends and salaries."

Um, I think it helps if you know what you're talking about.

You're talking about the salaries of employees of churches. Religions, as charitable organisations, are excempt from Capital Gains tax and Corporation Tax in the UK. They also get other benefits.

HM Revenue & Customs: Annex I - Charitable Tax Exemption

I'm quite surprised you're arguing it. It's something that's very well known and the cause of some contention.

[Leofric]

Originally Posted by Shizara

I have no problem displaying this file on the PC and have just been to the RISC OS where, though the process is different, it still opens the pdf file and displays the contents.

The "process" (?) may be different, but the file format is the same.

[Shizara]

Grins.... looks like I didn't explain that very well. You are very right.. the file format is the same. The process involved to view is different in that you have to download and save the file first then view.

[optrex]

Originally Posted by Leofric

Um, I think it helps if you know what you're talking about.

You're talking about the salaries of employees of churches. Religions, as charitable organisations, are excempt from Capital Gains tax and Corporation Tax in the UK. They also get other benefits.

Originally Posted by optrex

Ministers of any church get a salary, (or stipend) that is Income Taxed, they buy goods and food, both of which are subject to Value Added Tax. If they drive they are subjec to Road Tax and Fuel Tax, same with gas and electric.

Of course they are Taxed, we ALL are!

I know I am. It was clearly pointed out in my post that I was talking about ministers. I also refer to Jobee's first post.

Originally Posted by jobee

Why should the income of a priest or rabbi etc be exempt from income tax?

[jobee]

Originally Posted by optrex

I know I am. It was clearly pointed out in my post that I was talking about ministers. I also refer to Jobee's first post.

After extensive enquiries-Churches [religions]are counted as charities and get all the tax concessions that charity organisations get-