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TAX: Pastors Go To Court
June 05, 2009 15:29, 1,191 views
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
The decision of the Lagos state government to tax sales from books, tapes, compact disc and other materials sold by churches in the state is leading to a crisis, as the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) rejected the idea and may head to court to challenge the decision.
The PFN said while it backed the move by the state government to tax church pastors and workers, it would not subscribe to taxing materials sold by the church. National Secretary, PFN, Pastor Wale Adefarasin, yesterday, at a news conference, said since the church is not engaging in business by selling these materials, the state government has no right to tax them. According to him, it is the right of government to tax sales arising from trade or business, but noted that the church was not doing business by selling those materials.
“We are not engaging in business. The tapes, CDs, and other materials are simply messages meant to develop our people,” he said. Adefarasin disclosed that PFN has informed its lawyers on the current development, adding that “our lawyers are working on it. We will make our position known later.” On the move to tax pastors and church workers, the PFN scribe said it was a welcome development, adding that the state government is not taxing churches but pastors and workers who earn salaries.
“Any Nigerian who earns salary must pay tax. Church workers who earn salaries are taxable. Pastors, church workers must pay tax. “No Nigerian is above the law. Anyone who qualifies to pay tax must pay. The bible gives us injunction to be law abiding. We are spiritually obliged to pay taxes,” he stated. On the Niger Delta, Adefarasin said a great injustice was being done to the people since they own the resources being tapped by the government.
“You can’t resolve this issue by war. The lasting solution will come through dialogue and not war. You can’t continue to allow an area to be deprived when you produce the wealth of the nation from their land. “This problem can’t be solved by warfare but by dialogue. The church can help rebuild the trust of the people of the Niger Delta in the government,” he said. On church leaders buying private jets, Adefarasin said there was nothing wrong in it, adding that it is more economical and stress-free to use a private jet than board a commercial plane while travelling. He, however, warned against ostentatious and flamboyant living by some pastors who buy and drive flashy cars.
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dayo akinwumi
5 June 2009 15:44Fashola, softly sofly.
bee4
5 June 2009 15:44He will say that wouldn’t he?What a shame pastors against tax payments on products. I really don’t see any reason for a dispute here. Let the tax assessor evaluate the cost of producing the handouts e.t.c vis a vis their sales price, thus determine if they are tax free or not. on the issue of private jets, I supposse it will be too stressful for Adefarasin to be seen driving to his village to preach, let alone boarding a commercial jet to Ghana. Lol…
Iroanya charle Eze/Germany
5 June 2009 15:45criminals and gold diggers in the of pastor. no wonder the fastest growing economy in nigeria is church
John
5 June 2009 15:46DEEP DOWN IN THEIR HEARTS THEY KNOW THEY ARE MAKING PROFITS FROM THESE TAPES AND BOOKS.THEY SHOULD BE TAXED!!!
ABD-QU-DUS
5 June 2009 15:48So Pastors can buy jets but should not buy and drive flashy cars? Who be Mumu now?
Iroanya charle Eze/Germany
5 June 2009 15:49criminals and gold diggers in the name of pastors. no wonder ,the fastest growing economy in nigeria is church.
Vin Iyke
5 June 2009 15:53tax must be paid on all materials sold except in those cases where they are sold without profit.
i believe one of the major reasons Lagos State Government is insisting on this is because of the flambuoyant lifestyles of our pentecostal preachers.
infact, Government should CSR a must for churches. Churches in saner climes are registered as charitable organisations and where they veer off-track, they are made to face the music.
All of these hoopla would have been completely unnecessary, but for the fact that men have chosen to worship MAMMON, rather than the MESSIAH. Or Else, why is it that FINANCIAL PROSPERITY seems to be the only message in the church.
I have always asked this question, How many millionaires did JESUS raise during his earthly ministry, considering the awesome powers He had at his disposal?
How often did acquisition of material things feature in the several sermons he rendered whilst on earth.
How many millionaires did the disciples who wined and dined with Him raise?
its a pity that pentecostals have chosen to rely on other people’s interpretation of scriptures, without taking the pain of discovering things for ourselves.
i believe that time is coming when church members will demand that pastors give account of funds accruing to the ministry.
someone might be tempted to consider this a call to rebellion. But, i dare say that no man of God is God, hence they are not immune to questioning.
what with the idea of making wife and children trustees of the ministry? its really shameless what nigerian preachers are into.
Years ago, Bishop Oyedepo declared in Kaduna during the coronation of 7 Bishops that KINGDOM business was not FAMILY BUSINESS, in apparent reference to the Church of God Mission, where the widow of the late Arch. Bishop Idahosa had just taken over. what do we have today, he has ordained his sons PASTORS in his ministry, preparing them to take over from him.
i pity people who are helping him build an empire for his family. if truly anyone is interested in giving to GOD, they should give to the several ORPHANAGES, MISSIONARIES IN RURAL AREAS, POOR WIDOWS and those in NEED in the society and watch if they would not be blessed beyond measure.
Yommy
5 June 2009 16:01These materials are not given free to people. These books are sold. So what is this argument that they cannot pay. There are some christian literature that sells for as much as Two thousand naira or more. Are they saying that such should not attract tax. Let it be known that there are some pastors that makes a lot of money from the sales of this books, CD’s and tapes. So it should attract tax. If their argument is anything to go by, we can as well tell Tu face, Wasiu Ayinde, king Sunny Ade not to pay tax on their CD’s and Tapes.Afterall, their messages are for the people. Bible enjoyed us to obey the government . Give to….. what is…..
Abimbola D
5 June 2009 16:09Govy sofli sofli ooo.
If the bookshops where they are sold are business concerns, then we can understand the tax on profit issue.
Most books and CDs are very cheap, far far below the cost outside.
When drum wants to tear, it usually sounds funny, so my advice is that Fashola, take am easy oooooo.
A a ni fi owo wa ba Eko je ooo (We will not spoil Lagos with our hand ooo)
Ayour Pee
5 June 2009 16:15The Lagos State Government should go ahead in its efforts at taxing church activities. I can authoritatively confirm that churches make a hell of money from books, CDs and other products they sell to members at exhorbitant prices.
If Pastors can lie; the congregation should watch it. Hell is real!!!
Ayour Pee
5 June 2009 16:26Vin Iyke, great contribution … well articulated. Thanks
Nnenne
5 June 2009 16:31I hope they are equally taxing those Imams that wake people up with their noise or is it only the churches
elijah
5 June 2009 16:39PM NEWS, TWICE YOU HAVE DELETED MY COMMENTS ON THE BASIS OF “YOU ARE POSTING TO MANY COMMENTS” . I AM HOWEVER, UNDETERRED BY YOUR ANCTICS TO FRUSTRATE ME.
IT IS AN ABERRATION THAT GOVERNOR FASHOLA WHO IS A SAN AND A MEMBER OF THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF TAXATION OF NIGERIA SEEKS TO IMPOSE TAX ON THE INCOME FROM SALE OF BOOKS, TAPES, ETC BY CHURCHES.
THE INCOME TAX MANAGEMENT ACT 1961(AS AMENDED TO DATE) MAKES LIABLE TO TAX FOR INDIVIDUALS AND PARTNERS IN A PARTNERSHIP BUSINESS: INCOME FROM TRADE AND INCOME FROM EMPLOYMENT. CONSEQUENTLY, I SUPPORT THE IMPOSITION OF TAX ON THE INCOME OF PASTORS AND IMAM. THE COMPANIES INCOME TAX ACT 1979(AS AMENDED TO DARE) EXEMPTS FROM TAX, THE INCOME OF ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANISATIONS(CHURCH, MOSQUE, TEMPLE, ETC. CONSEQUENTLY THE LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT THROUGH ITS AGENT, THE LAGOS STATE INTERNAL REVENUE BOARD DOES NOT HAVE THE BACKING OF THE LAW TO IMPOSE TAX ON THE INCOME FROM SALE OF BOOKS, ETC BY CHURCHES. LAGOS STATE SHOULD ALLOW THE SLEEPING DOG TO LIE.
Omoakin
5 June 2009 16:50Whose report should we believe? God dey nevertheless
Ade Adepeju
5 June 2009 16:58If those materials are sold at cost price there should be no tax, however any profit made on them must attract tax.
SALAKO
5 June 2009 17:02@ABIMBOLA D, YOU’RE A BLIND FOOL……TALKING FROM YOUR ARSS, WAKE UP, YOU NUMSKULL…………….EKO BAJE TI
elijah
5 June 2009 17:10GENTLEMEN, EVEN IF THE BOOKS ARE SOLD AT A PROFIT, LAGOS STATE IS NOT THE RELEVANT AUTHORITY TO IMPOSE TAX ON SUCH INCOMES. THE ISSUE OF RELEVANT TAX AUTHORITY IS VERY IMPORTANT WHEN TALKING ABOUT TAX LAW. LAGOS STATE KNOW THAT THEY ARE ONLY BLUFFING AND WILL LOSE THE CASE AT THE COURT. THE PROBLEM WITH OUR SOCIETY IS THAT OUR RULERS SOMETIMES RIDE ON THE WAVE OF POPULARITY TO COMMIT ILLEGALITY. I VERY WELL UNDERSTAND THAT SOME OF OUR RELIGIOUS LEADERS GO TO THE EXTREMES. THAT HOWEVER, DOES NOT EMPOWER ANY GOVERNMENT, ESPECIALLY THE ONE PROFESSING THE RULE OF LAW MANTRA, TO COMMIT ILLEGALITY
omolola
5 June 2009 17:15Why is it only Nigeria things must be different ? If a church or Mosque makes profit on business, it must be taxed. It is part of the federal Constitution
Ayour Pee
5 June 2009 17:18Elijah, you must really think you are important … Ass hole!!!
Dr Pat Kolawole Boboye
5 June 2009 17:22Pastors/Prophets,Archbishops,Evangenlists/Imams/Reverends must be made to pay their individual taxes as they all recieve salaries and wages in many cases which are glaring they even make more more running to thousands every months.Afterall,General Overseer of the Redeem Church-Pastor Adeboye recently bought an aeroplane-jet to fly around on the excuse that it was bought by his church members for him.Why did n’t he advised those multimillionares members of Redeem Church to use such fund for charity purposes to aleviate the poverty in the land amongst millions of Nigerians or use such fund to construct Lagos to Ibadan roads?here is no righteous man of God anymore in Nigeria as they all became close to Obasanjo when he was president killing,maiming and looting Nigerian treasuries. Dr pat Kolawole Boboye,Canada
Job Onuh
5 June 2009 17:29Fashola, take it easy. Dogs eat shit but do not eat that of the horse Let us not look at that side.
Alex, Warri
5 June 2009 17:29Great. Kudos to Lagos Government. Any material that is sold to make profit no matter how small should be taxed whether it is sold by farmer or church or any other organisation.
Buldozer
5 June 2009 17:53Well done Elijah, why are you misinterpreting laws let me ask you question, are these material given to people free of charge or are they not make any profit on it?
Haba………………………………
Francis
5 June 2009 17:58PM News, why do you like deleting my comments. If the law says Pastors should Pay tax on their materials, they can’t be above the law. The question is “is backed by the law”.
Shuppy
5 June 2009 17:58Religion & Believe is un-questionable: All is for GOD
@Fashola: dayo akinwumi said it well
ifeanyi
5 June 2009 18:13Fashola, should not cross his boundary. I can see visit to many churches as a way of looking for tax. He should the constitution and know things that are taxable and things not taxable because some of this pastors you are seeing are working in different offices and pay tax there. The tape and CD and books sold by pastors are sold exaltly the cost of producing it, if it were possible they would have given freely but for future production that is why they charge money. Compare the value of producing them you will see it amout to nothing. Fashola is going to tax his wife over the money she use in cooking food. The challenges before him is to make traffic to reduce on the road and not to be coveteous.
Iman them will pay tax also. Musque will pay tax also. Leave alone.
Fashoo don’t spoil your good work with greed. Long live Fashoo, long live Lagos state.
Isaac Ojo Afeni
5 June 2009 18:17While I appreciate Gov. Fashola’s monumental achievements for the masess, I will appreciate much more if he cold take the case of houses of God or ‘houses of God’ with utmost caution. Let God, the all-kwowing judges His house. It ’s a fundamental sacrilege and ridicule to tax products meant for evangelism. I will rather suggest government’s subsidy on the costs of them and make these products compulsory for every household in Lagos,which is an effective way of riducing crimes and other sorts of evils that are pervading our societies daily. It ’s not the much we generated as revenue but the blessing of God that is helping Lagos State. I pray we shouldn’t embark on what can impede the blessngs!
ade ajayi
5 June 2009 18:18The taxation from sale of materials by church should stay unless all proceeding from such sales are giving to charity with proof ,in fact enough of tax invasion in the name of God even Jesus Christ pay tax .
WALE OLABODE
5 June 2009 18:18ANTI-CHRIST…..!!!!…………..Watchout…!!!……..Lagosian…..
Isaac Ojo Afeni
5 June 2009 18:20While I appreciate Gov. Fashola’s monumental achievements for the masess, I will appreciate much more if he could take the case of houses of God or ‘houses of God’ with utmost caution. Let God, the all-kwowing judges His house. It ’s a fundamental sacrilege and ridicule to tax products meant for evangelism. I will rather suggest government’s subsidy on the costs of them and make these products compulsory for every household in Lagos,which is an effective way of riducing crimes and other sorts of evils that are pervading our societies daily. It ’s not the much we generated as revenue but the blessing of God that is helping Lagos State. I pray we shouldn’t embark on what can impede the blessngs!
Henry
5 June 2009 18:27Most pastors in the new penticostal churches hide under the influece of “that they are runing charity organisation” and are making billions of money. The government should forge ahead in asking them to pay Tax.
DR ADEKOYA
5 June 2009 18:29This is a very simple matter. Any Church, mosque or traditional worship home that is not ready to pay any form of tax in LAGOS should pack out and relocate to KANO,JOS or KADUNA.As simple as A B C. Eko o ni ba je o
michael a
5 June 2009 18:35govi, dont go there.
it makes sense to tax them for thier salaries. but care should be taken that we do not tax materials that are not-for-profit making. if he insist he should make a thoruohg ivestiagation of the c
Jerry A.
5 June 2009 18:36The issue of taxing pastors and church workers should be looked into without reasonably. How can you tax money that is donated by someone who has already paid tax on his/her salary or income. This will amount to double taxation by the government. Pastors and church workers are paid out of the tithes and offerings from the congregation who have already paid their taxes. In advanced coutries like the USA, any donation made to a church or an NGO is tax deductible. Will the government apply this in Lagos?. For instance, if you give your wife money every month for her use, will she be made to pay tax on the money? The case where our Lord Jesus instructed His disciples to give unto Ceasar what is Ceasar’s should not be used to confuse people as our Lord and His disciples were not paid any salary by any church. The disciples worked for their living.
EmmanF
5 June 2009 18:45Fashola should ensure the churches found selling any items pay their tax because they are making millions from the proceed of what they sell to the public and their church members.
fisay
5 June 2009 18:49Elijah,
in reference to a portion from your write-up, “INCOME FROM TRADE AND INCOME FROM EMPLOYMENT.” the word TRADE include activities that involved exchanging Goods or services for a fee, it presupposes that whosoever does engages in the art of exchanging goods and or services for a fee is trading church or any organization inclusive.The law in question does not Mentioned TRADE when the exception to taxing ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANISATIONS, since they are expected to earn their income from free will alms, or offerings or sacrifice.
Alagba Otitokoro in UK
5 June 2009 18:53ARE THERE PASTORS IN NIGERIA?????? THESE ELEMENTS CLASSIFYING THEMSELVES AS PASTORS ARE NOTHING BUT BUSINESS MEN AND WOMEN EXPLOITING THE VULNERABLES. GOD IS NOT PROUD OF THESE SO CALLED NIGERIA BUSINESSPASTORS AS THEY TRADE USING THE NAME OF GOD. HERE IN UK EVERYONE PAY TAX AND ANY BOOK SOLD TOO IS TAXED OR INCLUDE TAX.
THESE SHAMELESS PFN (PASTORS FOOLING NIGERIANS) ARE TRADING SELLING BOOKS, CD, TAPES, DVD ETC. WHERE WAS IT WRITTEN IN THE HOLY BIBLE THAT JESUS CHRIST SOLD BOOKS, TAPES AND CD TO PEOPLE TO DEVELOP THEMSELVES??? INSTEAD MY LORD JESUS CHRIST FED AMONG OTHERS THOSE 5000 THAT CAME TO LISTEN TO HIM. IF IT WERE TO BE IN NIGERIA, THESE SO CALLED PASTORS WILL SELL FOOD TO THESE PEOPLE. THE TITHE BEEN PAID WAS MEANT TO TAKE CARE OF IMMEDIATE NEEDS AND NOT TO EXPLOIT THE MEMBERS BY BUYING JETS, ESTABLISHING SCHOOLS THAT MEMBERS COULD NOT AFFORD. THE LIKES OF OYEDEPO ATTENDED PUBLIC SCHOOL.
THE MISSIONARIES THAT BROUGHT CHRISTIANITY TO NIGERIA MADE EVERYTHING FREE. WORKING FOR GOD SHOULD BE SERVICE TO HUMANITY BUT THE “NOTHING TO DO OR FAILED INDIVIDUALS TURNED PASTORS” ARE NOW TRADING IN THE NAME OF GOD. YOUR END ARE VERY NEAR.
FASHOLA, GO AHEAD AND CHANGE THE SYTEM AND GOD WILL CONTINUE TO GUIDE YOU. THESE HEARTLESS AND SELFISH PEOPLE TURNED PASTORS WILL NOT TRIUMPH IN JESUS NAME. Good night Nigerians and God bless Nigeria.
femi faseemo
5 June 2009 19:01I see a great opportunity for Nigeria in this controversy. If after paying taxes, which is not a very pleasant thing to do, the people of Nigeria will truly see government money as their own money. Maybe and this is my wish, the people will demand, by all means necessary, accountability and transparency in how that money is managed. For Fashola and all politicians, that is a 2-edged sword….. People should start with the alleged link of the tax consultants to his godfather(s) - please PM news, make sure you publish this in the interest of fairness.
paul
5 June 2009 20:37the imans must also be taxed, this is not tinubu madness time
kallunci
5 June 2009 20:39i beleive that gradually we are begining to see the face of the masquerade . In developed soceities the gov’t contributes to charitable organisations which include churches , NGO’s ministries and so on because of the charitable work they are into. These jobs are not displayed on the pages of newspapers . Likewise we have ministries and churches and men of GOD in Nigeria who are also doing same. To mention a few matthew Ashimolowo has built single handedly a nursing institute in Osun without gov’t assistance and also dug a lot of boreholes for various communites in OSUN. Not to talk of other philantropic acts like scholarships and so on . Rev Agboli of Victorious Army has over 500 students in school who are not related to him that he is paying school fees for right from primary to university level.recently he distributed more than a hundred motorcycles free of charge to able bodied men who had no source of income. also there are numerous people that he made sure he payed thier fines from custody in kirikiri because they were hawking pof pof and were arrested by one of the lagos state tax forces. All these are just afew. I am yet to write about churches that feed the hungry every Sunday. or others that have helped Area boys and Girls to have a sense of belonging by taking them off the street and off drugs. House on the Rock is another shining example of such. Fashola is doing a good Job But I will like to advise him not to tread where Angels dare not tread. He should be wary of playing to the gallery. I agree that there are some Fake pastors and Imams but be careful not to cut the weed with the real plants. He must be careful.
yussuf lukman
5 June 2009 20:48Nnenne or what do you called your self, you are too triberlisim, people are talking of sells product, you are talking of worshiping, i can see that your wisdom is soo low to the extend that some body like you is not surpose to be contributing to the public discusion, why can t you tell government to begins tax every woshiper in the country, fooooooooooooooooooooooooools.
Suraj Adejumo
5 June 2009 20:51Since the church has derailed from the divine duty of using her common wealth to help the less priviledge, there is enough justification for the entire wealth of the church to be taxable. While so many church members are walloping in abject poverty; unable to afford three square meals, the church leadership especially the pastors are busy flauting their wealth, buying expensive things and acquiring private jets with the fund collected from the congragation. there is no pastor that can look at God in the face and say he does not make profit from the tapes, books and CDs sold to members. Iam a committed child of God but I am sad at the greedy way our pastors go with their apostolic assignment. They have derailed from the account recorded in the book of Acts in which the bible says that the wealth of the church was a common wealth shared among the brethren. Most of our pastors are oppressors, greedy ones who have betrayed the trust of God in them; they are grab-it-all fellows who are even too greedy to give to the government from the wealth they commercially acquired. These are people who collect “miracle provoking offerings and seed” from their members but are too gullible to pay their tax. They want their jets to fly safely on our air space but refuse to pay their tax which will be used to ensure safety in the air space. what a bunch of gullible ones!
Tony Oseivhi
5 June 2009 21:40Fashola should not fight too many wars -he should focus on what he is doing right now with infrastructures
and the likes.Non payment of tax by churches on,cds. etc is not the reason why Lagos/Nigeria is not a developed society .
Emphasis now should be on what matters in developing Lagos State.The problems of Lagos state will not be solved by taxing
these items NOW .
Fashola should take some time to initiate a public enlightenment program and also give these pastors a time frame
for the implementation of this tax program if he still wants to do it. In this way everybody will be on the same page.My take on this issue is that if the money used in the production of these items is from the purse of the church,profit therein goes to the church and should not be taxed.But if the money used in production is from the purse of the individual pastor,profits made from the items should be taxed.
THINK
mojamosa
5 June 2009 23:12It is not about whether the materials are sold a cost price or not. The law says Churches can not be taxed on their earnings.
jonathan Lawson
5 June 2009 23:13Yes, l agree there are opportunistic ‘pastors’, but at the same time there are genuine men of God. We should leave all that for God to deal with. There are so many market women/men, traders and politicians in high places sucking dry the blood of the Nigerian nation. All these sleaze, driving posh cars, and jeeps around from stolen wealth. Dwelling so much on taxing pastors, is a satanic attempt to distract from the real issue. The huge amount of money blatantly stolen from the national cuffers is the highest crime if the Nigerian society. I congratulate the action governor of Lagos, even the blind can see how the taxes are been spent, it is for this reason l also doff my hat to pastor Adefarasin for his submission. In the USA, the church is not taxed, so this is nothing new. Let all those who have stolen from the nation, particularly ministers, permanent secretatries, and governors, pay back half of their stolen wealth, and there will be no need to tax the church.
Duro Piri
5 June 2009 23:13If those materials are sold at a profit, then the churches do not need to be told that they have to pay tax on them- because it is no more charity but business. The govt too will have to know that they can embezzle any kobo as they used to because God’s money will be mixed in the treasury. PLEASE LET EVERY CHURCHES PAY TAX ON ANY MATERIALS INCLUDING ANOINTING OIL SOLD WITH PROFIT.
Eyit
6 June 2009 01:40Elijah, Abimbola D and Nnene…well scripted…..You have the points laid out for the Gov..! I hope his fellow SAN are reading this, no be only them know book oooo…! And the whole world is watching..! Enough word for the wise…”Shikena”…
Mike Akanby-Ogah
6 June 2009 02:22Why are you people always ready to castigate men and women of God without shifting the wheat from the chaff?.Rev. Adefarasin agreed that pastors and all church workers that earn income should be taxed. He only disagreed with the notion that books and other teaching aids, produced by the church should be taxed, which is a sound reasoning, albeit, his personal view. You see, democracy allows everyonr to hold and air personal opinion, this reverend gentleman inclusive. The second laudable reason is that since when did hawkers of items begin to pay taxes in Nigeria? Can Lagos State government work out a scheme where by people selling, let’s say PARAGA at the motor parks, spareparts of various machines and other items pay taxes on these articles? I would agree with one of the earlier contriburors that sincethe pay cheques of pastors and chuch workers is a reflectionof how ‘wealthy’ the church is, government should be satisfied with recieving the PAYE of these people. The fact that a pastor rides a jet should not be a justification for imposing tax on the church, afterall he pays to maintain and run the jet and he pays all airport taxes etc. Let’s see how much comes infrom allour men and women of God-pastors, immams, gurus and the adahunses first and foremost-to see who is faithful among these crop of ‘preachers before we over burden some purely because they sell their wares in the open.
Yemi Akinremi
6 June 2009 02:49Any form of money making should be tax.No sentiment when it come tax issues because it is` what govt uses to put in place infrastructures and see to the general well being of the people.
Janpajantis
6 June 2009 07:54Tax must be paid by all religious workers earning salaries, paid on all items sold by churches and mosques and their appendages except items given freely like Jehova witnesses and Pentecoatal tracts.
For God’s sake, Oyedepo has had a private jet for over a decade, where is the orphange in his church despite the billions??? If govt must be responsible for us all, we must all be responsible for govt! Cikena!
Babs Olotu (Dublin)
6 June 2009 08:01I think we need more taxes to moderate our lifestyles. We need road tax for exotic vehicles and cars which should depend on engine capacity. We need good road, water, housing and otther social amenities. Where do we expect Governor Fashola to get money. I hope churches / mosques should be ready to pay all applicable taxes because the money is from poor people who hardly afford their daily food. The pastors always come to Europe and other western worlds but they pay VAT on all items they buy even pay tax on the water they use to shower and drink.. Our attitude toward taxation is very bad.
I can understand the level of corruption of government officals but Government can not function without money. Let’s give good government a chance to prove itself. We still have people like Awolowo, Ajashin, Azik, Ahmadu Bello, Bola Ige and others in Nigeria. Our polticians are wicked and have no conscience but all days are for the thief but a day is for the owner. Abarcha case should teach them a lesson.
WALE OLABODE
6 June 2009 09:56Lagosian………Beware of Anti-Christ……..!!!!…..
akingbade john
6 June 2009 14:31It is reasonable for them to pay tax on those books,cds. Dthey wa nt to tell us they are not making money from the products?/It is unGodly for men of god to be too flymboyant at the detriment of poor worshippers.may almighty God deliver us from these religious leaders who are very selfish.tanx.
fashuyi olaolu
6 June 2009 16:18TAXES MUST BE PAID,PERIOD.
AS LONG AS INCOME IS DERIVED FROM THE SALE OF A PARTICULAR PRODUCT,SERVICE OR WHATEVER TAXES MUST BE PAID BY ADHERANTS OF ALL RELIGION.EVEN THE BIBLE SPECIFIES THAT GIVE UNTO CEASER WHAT IS CEASER’S.
LAGOSIANS WAKE UP FOR THE GOOD OF THIS LITTLE STATE.LET’S PUT SENTIMENTS BY THE SIDE AQND BE RATIONAL THINKERS.
victor owo
6 June 2009 17:00Nigerians just like to criticize.Whether its good or bad.Its only those that are ignorant of the law that the law is used on.
Sharon Jaja Douglas
6 June 2009 20:40Nigerians and Nigerian pastors na waa o!!!
Rasputinn
6 June 2009 22:34Whether they tax pastors or not,it will not add a penny to the pockets of some disgruntled and obviously frustrated elements who are jubilating over the development.Thinking of taxing proceeds from the sales of messages,books etc is laughable,Fashola stands no chance in court on that score.
However,taxing pastors and church workers is okay,but I wonder why the papers have not been awash with stories by agents of Lagos state as regards tax as it applies to Imams and other muslim clerics
Rev.Ayoba.Jburg
6 June 2009 23:21As a Minister,i propose that financial books of churches should be open for members to see.If that is done,as in overseas,some questions will have answers at once.
rita philomina elueme
7 June 2009 00:20THE PASTORS HAVE TO PAY TAX SINCE THEY CHOESE TO TURN A CHURCH AS THEIR PERSONAL BUISNESS.THE MONEY FROM THE MEMBERS WAS MADE FROM THEIR HARD MEANS,WHY THE PASTORS HAVE TO MENTION STRESS .A PASTOR THAT CAN BUY A JET & MENTAIN IT CAN AS WELL PAY TAX WITHOUT ANY COMPLAINS ,IF CHURCH WAS’NT A BUISNESS THE MOMEY MADE FROM CD ,BOOKS ,OFFERINGS WOULD HAVE BEEN USE FOR ASSISTING THE COUNTRY BY THE MEANS OF BIULDING SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS AND NOT BUYING A PRIVATE JET FOR EASY GOING LIFE.
pastor samuel
7 June 2009 01:13Tani e ma ni e fi jo?.On this issue of taxing income earners in the Church ,Government is right!.Our Lord Jesus made a comment on this issue and paid His tax.(MARK 12:14-17).:Since we all agree that Governor Fashola is using the tax properly ,we should just joyfully accept this decision which is legally backed and long overdue . Indeed ,even if he fails to utilise it appropriately what we can do is to point it out him through letters or via our pulpits or through the Press.The current opposition is an exercise in futility and does not show leadership on the part of those Men of God who are panicking.Well done Governor.however Governor, you need to encourage the Religious bodies as much as possible ,as is done in the advanced economies, because their positive roles in the Nigerian Nation cannot be quantified.Long live Nigeria ,long live Governor Fashola in Jesus name.
Akinyemi
7 June 2009 04:28Fasola is going the wrong way he should leave the chuches and mosques alone and look somewhere else to generate income for the state.
shrego
7 June 2009 07:30Taxation is biblical and it is a must for all Christians, with no exception. Even Jesus Christ himself paid tax where he was freed from it though. However, government should be wary of collection money where it will invoke the wrath of God. Most ofthese books are sold at no profit. The intention is to pass messages to the citizens without imposing financial burdens on them. even wih the lowcost of these books people are not willing to buy and red what will transform their lives, not to talk of when tax is added to it. Righteousness exalts a nation. a nation that forgets its God is near destruction.God’sbelssings is not in the amount we get but in the amount He gives us. Let our government think twice on this issue.
olabanjo Fashakin
7 June 2009 08:11The job of a paid Pastor and Imam is to minister and preach the Koran and the Holy Bilble therefore any person that is employed in this capacity should pay tax to the state. Are the ministers working for free / charity ? Dont they have children going to schools, accessing public services ? Paying tax amount to social responsibility by men of Allah (God). This is not a time for religious politicing. They can as well be excemted for paying tranport fare, food, cloth, rent and school fees. All tax collected by state are used to improve public servicers and our men of God and their families access them to.
jackman
7 June 2009 08:27If they are not making profit let it be put online for free use the Pastors will not have to buy CDs or Tapes to record and sell therefore no excuse of recouping cost price.Remember university Lecturers use proceeds from HANDOUTS to buy Tyres for their cars.ALL NA WAYO! Carry on FASHOLA.
marcus
7 June 2009 09:25If churches are tax what about the mosque will they also be tax for disturbing our sleep?
Philips
7 June 2009 10:32I am proud of you, Vin Iyke.
The question is that penticostalism in Nigeria has contributed to the backwardness of the society more than any other factor. It is only in Nigeria that an unemployed would consider pastoral work as a means to exploit helpless Nigerians. Most of our industrial areas and warehouses now host different churches. In fact, some churches run shift yet there is no godliness.
God will judge!
Jayjay
7 June 2009 11:48Religious organisation are charitable organisation aimed at passing the mind of God to the people and reforming their minds so that an individual can become a better citizen. When a religious organisation is just starting, they do not place the pastor and the workers on any salary or wages. The pastoring work and the workers activities are purely voluntary. As they devote themselves to God service, God in turn passes his power to them called anointing. Whosoever they come in contact with is blessed by this anointing who may in turn come back to say thank you to the pastors. The thank you could be in any form ranging from materials gifts to financial gifts. Those churches that are well organised and depending on their vision or God’s vision for them used the materials and financial gifts to expand God’s kindgom on earth. Now tell me how do you want the pastors to pay tax in this case. This scenario is what we see all over the places rather than looking at churches from Redeemed, Winners and some other big pentecostal churches point of view. I know what Pastor Adeboye makes from churches are largely donated to the expansion of the God,s Kingdom or Is Gov Fashola aiming at taxing God. Taxing men of God may be tantamount to taxing God. Gov Fashola should take it easy. He should rather ask for these men of God to bless him because in several ways they have contributed to the development of Lagos State which is now building on.
Goke
7 June 2009 12:10Government should exercises caution in handling this case. My advise is that government should come up with classification of materials emanating from religious group to enable them identify the materials that should be given tax exemption. Therefore, any religious (e.g. Church) material that does not carry tax exemption registration code is liable to be taxed and the producer of such material must pay sales tax.
We don’t need to be sentimental about this issue because it obvious that some of these materials are produced for economic gain either by individual member or the church as a body. If a producer is convinced that he has a case for sales tax exemption let him apply and he should considered based on the laid down rules/clauses.
These rules/clauses should be itemise explicitly and without ambiguity and it be strictly adhering to without fair or favour regardless who is involved.
oduola
7 June 2009 15:20Vin Ikye and like minds together should take it easy. Gomina wa, eko onibajee oooo
De-GyRo
7 June 2009 16:16What a shame!!!!!! PASTORSSSSSSSSSSS
Akinjide
7 June 2009 16:21Church in 9ja is a buz venture so what is the question afterall the books were being sold to make money, in a civi lised society what ever u do u must pay tax be it for God or satan, our religious leaders always play smart on govt policies this is not abt God it is abt we pple
Oluremi S Olowoyo
8 June 2009 04:36As far as am concern everybody should pay tax i live in a country where everybody pay taxes on everything,but if everybody stungle to pay taxes and somebody bank it in his private account the person will not live to spent it amen
Owolo S.
8 June 2009 08:25If the State Gov is taxing church activities based on layed down laws, it should go ahead. If not so, the Governor is preparing the way for his own downfall. He should try and do things that are right and not to be distracted by issues that are controversial. FASOLA, apply wisdom!
dayo akinwumi
8 June 2009 09:17Christianity has contributed to Nigeria development and civilisation more than any government in Nigeria. The likes of Methodist college where Fasola attended, CMS grammar school, St Gregory, Loyola College, Christ School and some other notable great Christian orriented colleges. Recently, Lagos state transferred some schools to their missions for effective management. In health sector, the contribution of christiannity is also numerous, the reason for private universities as we are experiencing was as result of bad management in government schools. These churches took it upon themselves by founding and funding these schools. Most of these churches pray fervently in all services for government and political leaders without a dime. They organises seminars, trainings and encourages citizens to be law abiding. It is a known fact that, Nigerians listen to their pastors, imam than these so called Governors, senators and president. Most of Nigerians, would have walloped in poverty if not because of these churches in their outreach programmes(Prison, hospital, orphanage, widow’s visitaions) and they do not collect dime from government in doing all these. it is the churches that encourages their own and teaches their own on how to achieve prosperity in legitimate means through the seminars, trainings etc. People like Erastus Akingbola, felix Ohiweri, Mrs ibru have being of help in this regard. Pls the church should be treated with dignity. If the government can not subsidize oil for Nigerians, pls our religion leaders deserve alot from government for helping them doing their works.
dayjeeboy
8 June 2009 10:22I think Pastor Adefarasin needs a rethink over his comment that pastors are not making money from materials they sell. Every little lie will be accounted for in judgement. Nothing wrong in paying taxes for every income accounted for. Pastors should teach their congregation to be law abiding which includes not evading tax of any form.
Peter E.
8 June 2009 12:56I want to advise Fashola to discuss sensitive issues like this with leaders of religious bodies, and iron this out amicably. There’s no need creating tension in the midst of great success being acheived in Lagos. The governor should know that he is being supported by Lagosians. However, he should see the work on-going as a collective one. By so doing, things will move on smoothly. He should carefully handle controversial issues, and create harmony in the state.
tunde simpler
8 June 2009 13:03Do you really know what freak me on the various comments. All the comments are objective and there is no bias in it all in spite of the fact that from my observations majority of the comments are coming from christians. This is to tell you that they are all religion tolerants. If it is to be an issue not in favour of particular religion section in this country they would have declarated death warrnty on the advocators of the issue.
Good Thinking guys,
stella
8 June 2009 13:29WELL THE CHURCH IS MAKING MONEY, BUT I DON’T SEE ANY REASON WHY THEY WIIL COLLECT TAX FROM THE CHURCH AFTER
PAYING FOR THE REGISTRATION OF THE CHURCH.WHATEVER THE CHURCH IS MAKING IS FOR THE HOUSE OF GOD.
idakwo Haruna
8 June 2009 13:34Lets keep to what the law says.Don’t pass negative judgement on pastors because of the flamboyant lifestyle of a few of them.Some of these pastors have contributed immensely to the socio-political life of this country .The books and CDs some of these churches sell is not for making profit.Fashola, please call a spade a spade.