Church Ministers to face more charges

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 22 December 2018, 12:00AM

Church Ministers from the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa that are appearing in the District Court on tax evasion charges were only charged for the January to May, 2018 period. 

There are also another set of charges against the same defendants for the period June to November, 2018. 

This was according to Minister for Revenue, Tialavea Tionisio Hunt, in response to questions from the Samoa Observer. 

There is a total of 160-plus Church Ministers from the C.C.C.S. 

“Under Tax Administration Act 2012 of 70 and 71 charges the individual who failed to file five salary and wage tax returns; and failed to withhold tax from salary and wage income."

“Also under this same law, it targets a certain period of five months hence the Ministry will again file other charges on top of the current charges we have filed,” he said. 

In January this year the Parliament passed the law to tax Church Ministers and the Head of State and at the same time increase the threshold of taxes to $15,000. 

In the meantime, a total of 19 church ministers from the C.C.C.S. have appeared in the District Court on the charges that were outlined by the Minister for Revenue. 

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 22 December 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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