The Lagos state government, yesterday, said it is mandatory for pastors and imams, earning salaries from their churches and mosques, to pay their taxes.

Special adviser to the governor on taxation, Mr. Ade Ipaye, said as long as any pastor or imam draws salary from the church or mosque, there was no reason why they should not pay tax.

Ipaye stated that some pastors who earn salaries from their churches approached him recently to find out what they should do to pay their taxes since they earn salaries from their churches. According to Ipaye, it is illegal for pastors and imams who earn salaries from their churches and mosques not to pay their taxes.

The special adviser, however, disclosed that the state government would not tax churches and mosques in the state, as they are non-profit organisations. He stated that if it was discovered that some pastors and imams earn salaries, the state would tax them accordingly.

Ipaye also disclosed that the state government was targeting a monthly internally generated revenue (IGR) of N17.39 billion for next year. He declared that the N208.79 billion the state intended to generate as IGR next year, was realisable, and urged Lagosians to brace up because the government would demand tax clearance certificates from them.

Ipaye added that as at last month, the state government recorded 72.3 per cent success in its IGR generation. On local government levies, the special adviser accused some council officials of collecting taxes outside their jurisdictions, describing it as illegal and criminal.

He stated that it would become illegal for any council official to collect taxes not meant for them as they would be prosecuted in court once the law to that effect is passed by the state House of Assembly.

“In Lagos state, there are a large number of illegal tax collectors and there are some bad eggs within the government who will print illegal bills and charge taxes not recognised by law,” he disclosed. He added that such people would be dealt with when apprehended. Ipaye said the state government would expand its tax net next year to capture those not paying tax, especially those in the informal sector.

http://thepmnews.com/2008/12/04/lagos-to-tax-imams-pastors

Very Good.

yes very very good,

pastors are getting extremly rich!!

I fully support the idea.


www.churchwhereabouts.com