The Faatuatua I le Atua Samoa Ua Tasi government in Samoa took the first step today to repeal a law taxing all ministers of religion which is widely considered one of the main reasons they won at the 2021 General Elections.
Members of Parliament were told yesterday at a pre-sitting session that there are seven amendments to the Income Tax Act that will be revoked.
Samoa Observer quotes Chief Executive of the Ministry of Revenue Matafeo Avalisa Fautuaalii saying the provision to tax church Ministers started in 2018 and had raised approximately $480,000tālā until October this year.
All of the 39 church denominations in Samoa accepted the Human Rights Protection Party law except the largest denomination in the Congregational Christian Church Samoa.
How revenue generated from the law will be recouped is expected to be part of a supplementary budget for financial year 2021/2022 which was tabled in todays session.
The Ministry of Revenue did not say if the provision to tax the Head of State will also be repealed.
According to the CEO none of the taxes already paid by church ministers will be refunded.
