Should Religious Institutions be taxed when you consider...

Should Religious Institutions be taxed when you consider how wealthy for example the Catholic Church & Hillsong are, just to name a few?

By Grace . Created on 02 Feb, 2021

Religious organisations have always been tax-exempt in Australia. This includes large bodies such as the Anglican and Catholic Churches, through to smaller ones such as the Church of Scientology, Seventh Day Adventist Church, and the Exclusive Bretheren. This is explicit under the Charities Act 2013. All churches are tax-exempt. No profitable religious companies pay more than a modicum of tax — if at all. Church exemptions include: income tax, GST, FBT, payroll tax, council rates, state government taxes, land tax, and local government taxes. Churches are not required by law to withhold income taxes from their ministers' pay, even if their ministers are employees for income tax purposes. ... Most churches are required to withhold income taxes from non-minister employees.

See more » « See less

Everything Else 96 votes | 12 Comments

YES - They should be taxed

NO - They should not be taxed

Report

12 Comments

John said 1 day ago

Absolutely. Their exemption is a hangover from a bygone age and most of them abuse the privilege to a greater or lesser degree.

For reply please login

Report

David said 3 days ago

Rich is a relative term. Different religious bodies are asset rich but potentially cash poor in a similar manner to farmers and pastoralists. Depending on proposed levels of any taxation the potential is there to restrict their ability to fund charitable activities. No help from the Salvos and similar organisations?

For reply please login

Report

JT said 3 days ago

i think there should be a govt body who should oversee the actitivities of religious instituions coz i think some of them are not behaving appropriately !! i notice one shop of St vincent de Paul are selling items at a price that are higher or equal to the price most retail shops are selling for the same items ( brand new). .... the items that St Vincent de Paul are selling are donated goods and it is supposed...
See more »

Last edited 3 days ago

For reply please login

Report