Government has been urged to rescind its plan to tax churches operating across the country.
According to Rt. Rev Stephen Richard Bosomtwe Ayensu, any attempt to tax the offerings and tithes of churches will be like “touching the eye of Godâ€.
Men of God in the country are divided over the proposal put forward by the Commissioner of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Kofi Nti.
He has promised to pay informants 25 per cent of a penalty against churches hiding under a fellowship to make money without paying taxes to the state.
Kofi Nti’s decision has gotten the backing of President Akufo-Addo arguing that, churches have now moved into the realm of wealth creation and prosperity.
Speaking at the 2018 Synod of the Global Evangelical Church in Accra Thursday, the President said churches were no more the charity institutions they used to be as they are now focusing into education and healthcare delivery among others, thus placing them in the tax net.
Read: ‘Prosperity churches’ inviting taxes – Akufo-Addo calls for return to basics
Though some pastors have welcomed the decision, others have kicked against it insisting that they pay taxes.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Friday, Rt Rev Bosomtwe Ayensu urged government not to interfere in the affairs of the church.
He explained that, tithes and offerings are not gifts hence should not fall under taxable incomes.
Rt Rev Bosomtwe Ayensu who is the Superintendent Minister Dzorwulu Circuit-Methodist Church opined that, the church is doing more than what taxes can cover hence it will be inconsequential to tax churches.
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The Methodist Bishop enumerated a number of social projects his church has been embarking on, saying a lot of churches also have special projects aimed at alleviating the plight of the deprived in society.
Therefore, Rt Rev Bosomtwe Ayensu said the church must not be seen as a money-making machine.
Source: Adomonline.com