TAX PAYMENT
Pastors and evangelical groups blame Lula for ending exemption for churches: “Affront to religious people”
In the most recent decision, the IRS stated that Bolsonaro’s conduct in 2022 was not approved by the sub-secretariat of taxation, which grounds its annulment
Published on January 17, 2024 at 9:52 pm
Lula Credit: Canal Gov
After the Federal Revenue annulled the tax exemption given to churches during the administration of the former president, Jair Bolsonaro (PL), pastors and members of the evangelical bench in the Chamber of Deputies blamed the annulment on the current president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva ( PT).
“This was not an act by Bolsonaro, it was an exclusive act by revenue technicians that clarified the obvious: salaries of leaders of any constitution were immune to tax, in light of the Federal Constitution. Now, Lula’s technicians are giving rise to undue fines. It is yet another measure of affront to religious people”, commented federal deputy Sóstenes Cavalcante (PL-RJ).
The measure was published this Wednesday, 17th, in the Official Gazette of the Union (DOU) and the annulment means that payments from religious entities to pastors are once again considered remuneration. In theory, the measure requires churches to pay more taxes.
Churches received exemption on the eve of the presidential elections, in August 2022. A part of the evangelical electorate is also one of the parts of society in which former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) has the most support.
In the most recent decision, however, the IRS stated that Bolsonaro’s conduct in 2022 was not approved by the sub-secretariat of taxation, which grounds its annulment.
According to the founder of Sara Nossa Terra and former deputy, Bishop Robson Rodovalho, the annulment reinforces what was already foreseen in the Federal Constitution:
“Pastors and priests do not have salaries. Wrong concept. We have missionary prebends, not always fixed. There are already specific laws on immunity, if someone goes to court, this revenue resolution must fall,” he said.
The act creates a new obstacle between the Lula government and evangelicals. Since the beginning of the PT administration, leaders have complained about the lack of proximity to the Planalto Palace, while pastors linked to the former president have been critical of Lula.
According to the rule proposed by the Bolsonaro government, only the amount paid for services and classes was considered as salary. Now, however, income and contribution taxes will be levied on any payment.
The Court determines that the reason for churches to be immune from paying some taxes such as IPTU and IPVA is to privilege the religious freedom provided for in article 5, VI, of the Federal Constitution.
