Nuns and priests are liable to pay taxes on their salary : Kerala HC

Article 25 does not give any immunity from taxation

Editorial comment

Every earning Indian should pay taxes. Tax revenue helps the governance of the nation. How can nuns and priests be exempted from the rule ? It would not be surprising if someone asks such individuals to leave the country if they do not wish to pay the taxes.

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) – While hearing an appeal, Kerala High Court made it clear that ‘No one could be exempted for tax based on Article 25 of the Constitution. This article does not abuse the freedom of Religion. It is essential to deduct TDS from the salaries of nuns and priests. If the salary is being paid under the Income-tax Act, then TDS should be deducted’.

In 1944, there was no tax on the salaries paid to nuns and priests by Government and Aided Institutions; but after some amendments in 2014, as per the revised rule, nuns and priests were included in the law. This amendment was challenged in the Court.

Kerala High Court has held that salaries paid to nuns and priests of religious congregations working as teachers in government or government-aided educations institutions are liable for tax deduction at sourcehttps://t.co/8COoJbddyo

— OpIndia.com (@OpIndia_com) August 8, 2021