Priests and nuns in Government-aided missionary schools will have to pay income tax on their salaries

An important decision of the Supreme Court
In December 2014, the BJP Government had decided to levy taxes

New Delhi – In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court on Friday ruled that there is no issue with the income tax department deducting tax (TDS) from the salaries of nuns and priests employed as teachers in government-aided Christian missionary schools, even if they have taken a vow of poverty.

1. The court, led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, dismissed appeals from nearly 100 dioceses and congregations in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The bench noted that whether or not the individuals have taken a vow of poverty, their salaries are funded by government grants, and any form of income is subject to tax.

2. The Supreme Court said it was shocking that Christian pastors and nuns working in government-aided missionary schools should not be taxed when their salaries come from the government exchequer i.e. taxes paid by the people.

3. In the year 2021, the Kerala High Court ruled that the salaries paid to nuns and priests are taxable. The High Court had also stated that this is not a violation of Article 25 of the Constitution which provides religious freedom. This was challenged in the Supreme Court.

Priests and nuns in government-aided missionary schools will have to pay income tax on their salaries!

An important judgment delivered by the Supreme Court on December 2014, hence the BJP government has now decided to levy taxes!

But this means that during the Congress rule,… pic.twitter.com/LtpNOhGvZK

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) November 15, 2024

Editorial Perspectives

This means that priests and nuns did not have to pay taxes even though there was Government subsidy during the Congress rule. Therefore, action should be taken against the anti-people Congress and thousands of crores of rupees along with interest should be recovered from it.