Tag Archive for German Church Tax

German Church Tax Update

Last fall we wrote about the increased enforcement of the German Church Tax (German Church Tax Causes Controversy), in particular the enforcement of this tax on capital gains. The tax is levied by the state at 8-9% of the regular income tax for members of certain mainline churches – primarily Catholic and Lutheran church members. This tax is then passed on to the churches for use in their operations and charitable activities. The tax is only levied against registered members of Catholic, Protestant, or Jewish churches. The system does not rely on self-reporting as some churches have gotten rather aggressive against those who are alleged members of the Church but do not report being a member of a church.

As enforcement of the tax has increased, more and more church members are Read More

Written by | Posted in Capital Gains • Non-Profit Tax • Religion

German Church Tax Causes Controversy

There is currently a controversy in Germany in regard to the application of capital gains to the “church” tax that is levied on individuals who profess membership in certain churches in Germany.

The Bill of Rights was added to the United States Constitution in order to provide greater constitutional protection to certain individual liberties. These liberties include freedom of religion, a free press, the right to peaceful assembly, the right to bear arms, protection against unreasonable search and seizure, the right to avoid self-incrimination (taking the fifth), due process, protection against double jeopardy, the right to a jury trial, the right to counsel, and protection against cruel and unusual punishment. We have seen how some of these rights have been eroded over the years through changing attitudes, judicial Read More

Written by | Posted in Capital Gains • Europe, Middle East • Income Tax • Tax Controversy