In response to church circles’ request for deferred enforcement of the clergy tax, First Vice-Minister of the Strategy and Finance Ministry Go Hyeong-gwon said on November 14, “The clergy tax will be imposed starting next year, but in the implementation process we’ll try not to focus on punishing violators, but rather seek to bring about an effect of model enforcement.”
The Strategy and Finance Ministry and the National Tax Service had a closed meeting with the Korean Church Special Committee For Collaboration With Religions earlier on this day (photo). After the meeting, Vice-Minister Go held a brief meeting with the press. When asked if his comment meant “the clergy tax will be implemented with punishment being suspended,” he answered, “Punishment and the system itself as well can be revised if they do not fit the reality.”
He explained, “I agree that the clergy tax should not interfere with religious activities. We are currently reviewing the option of not taxing some paid religious activities approved by decision-making bodies.”
The Committee’s co-chair, Rev. So Gang-seok, stated that the Committee is in agreement with the unavoidable enforcement of the tax from next year. He said, “As a citizen, shouldn’t I accept this when the Ministry has made its best efforts to reduce the difficulties resulting from taxation, even if those efforts do not end up in a smooth landing?”
The Committee requested the Ministry to clarify the regulations and to make a written document by the 18th stating that the Ministry will tax “real income” only, such as remuneration and living allowance, and will not investigate religious organizations for taxation purposes.
Reporters DongWoo Kim & Gu Jachang (love@kmib.co.kr), with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)
Full Story in Korean:
당국 “종교인 과세, 시범시행처럼 처벌 않도록 노력”: 교계 특별위-과세당국 간담회
Government Will Impose Clergy Tax As Planned, Trying Not To Focus On Punishment
2017-11-16 17:08
