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Germany goes even further. The authorities collect tax for the religious organizations since 1919. If you're a Roman Catholic moving to Germany, suddenly you're

by oever 8y ago

Germany goes even further. The authorities collect tax for the religious organizations since 1919. If you're a Roman Catholic moving to Germany, suddenly you're faced with 8-9% of extra income tax. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_tax#Germany https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_tax#Germany

taejo 8y ago
8-9% of the income tax. Since income tax is substantially less than 100%, the church tax is substantially less than 8% of income.
- isostatic 8y ago
  With income tax of say 30%, that's still well over 2% of your income funding a cult? How is that possible?
  - michaelt 8y ago
    People who aren't members of a church-tax-collecting denomination don't have to pay it. So it's entirely voluntary. Much like signing up for Netflix, except more expensive and a slightly different collection mechanism. And if you think that's weird, look at the British "Chancel repair liability"
    - isostatic 8y ago
      That I think comes from various claims to the land which, while freehold, has certain obligations (just like you may have covenants for neighbours to be able to access their land over yours). It was particularly bad until recently, as the obligations were often hidden. They no longer are - if there's an obligation it's right there on the land register, just like covenants, and show up in the standard searches during the conveyancing process. It's effectively a land tax to support a local amenity -- churches are part of the cultural background of British villages. I'd rather a formal land tax system to support all local amenities. A larger concern to me are faith schools.
zaarn 8y ago
You don't have to pay that if you actually bother but it also has some other implications. IIRC if you pay church tax then the church you are part of is required to hold your burial, otherwise there is no direct obligation though they can if they want. In turn the church has the ability to levy rules, laws and taxes (as long as they don't break or inhibit existing law), ability to set religious holidays (which your employer will have to honor), religious school classes and some other neat stuff. Of course, as mentioned, you can not have that and just pretend you're not in any of the recognized religious organisations.

by oever 8y ago

taejo 8y ago

8-9% of the income tax. Since income tax is substantially less than 100%, the church tax is substantially less than 8% of income.

isostatic 8y ago
With income tax of say 30%, that's still well over 2% of your income funding a cult? How is that possible?
- michaelt 8y ago
  People who aren't members of a church-tax-collecting denomination don't have to pay it. So it's entirely voluntary. Much like signing up for Netflix, except more expensive and a slightly different collection mechanism. And if you think that's weird, look at the British "Chancel repair liability"
  - isostatic 8y ago
    That I think comes from various claims to the land which, while freehold, has certain obligations (just like you may have covenants for neighbours to be able to access their land over yours). It was particularly bad until recently, as the obligations were often hidden. They no longer are - if there's an obligation it's right there on the land register, just like covenants, and show up in the standard searches during the conveyancing process. It's effectively a land tax to support a local amenity -- churches are part of the cultural background of British villages. I'd rather a formal land tax system to support all local amenities. A larger concern to me are faith schools.

zaarn 8y ago

You don't have to pay that if you actually bother but it also has some other implications. IIRC if you pay church tax then the church you are part of is required to hold your burial, otherwise there is no direct obligation though they can if they want. In turn the church has the ability to levy rules, laws and taxes (as long as they don't break or inhibit existing law), ability to set religious holidays (which your employer will have to honor), religious school classes and some other neat stuff. Of course, as mentioned, you can not have that and just pretend you're not in any of the recognized religious organisations.