Prosperity Gospel: Zimbabwe Churches To Begin To Pay Tax

It is almost certain that Churches in Zimbabwe will begin to pay Taxes in few months from now.

According to The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), work has begun on a legislative framework that should be ready by November for the purpose.

NehandaRadio reports that ZIMRA Commissioner-General, Gershem Pasi made the disclosure when he appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperatives Development.

“We are now focusing on them (churches) and we have engaged them, we are setting parameters,” he said.

“We don’t care how they make their money and come November, we will be through with our legislative proposals to the minister (Finance and Economic Development Patrick Chinamasa), which will tighten that area because we have seen loopholes there. They are not immune to taxation.”

Mr Pasi’s comments follow the mushrooming of churches that preach the gospel of accumulation with some of the leaders publicly flaunting their riches.

Some have also been accused of abusing their privileges as churches to avoid paying taxes.

Mr Pasi said Zimra was working on a new electronic system that will be launched on a trial basis in the coming few weeks and is expected to enhance revenue collection and target some sectors that are currently not contributing to the fiscus.

“In a few weeks time, we will be launching our pilot project. We will be launching a system which will be fool-proof and interfaces with our systems.

“Our pilots will cover various categories including the taxis. The meters that will be put in taxis will be linked to our systems and if someone tampers with them that car will not start,” he said.

credit: http://expressng.com/2015/06/prosperity-gospel-zimbabwe-churches-to-begin-to-pay-tax/