Priests, nuns in aided schools must pay income tax on salaries: Supreme Court
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has upheld a Madras High Court decision, ruling that salaries of priests and nuns working as teachers in government-aided schools are subject to income tax. Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, along with Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, dismissed an appeal challenging the taxation, stating that salary grants provided to schools cannot be exempt from Tax Deducted at Source (TDS).
The case initially saw a single judge in the Madras High Court rule that priests and nuns should be exempt from income tax, as per canon law, with the income directed to their diocese rather than personally retained. However, a division bench reversed this in 2019, leading to the current appeal in the Supreme Court.
During proceedings, Senior Advocate Arvind Datar argued that the funds bypassed the schools and went directly to dioceses, registered as charitable trusts under the Income Tax Act. However, the bench maintained that the government disburses funds to schools as salaries, making TDS mandatory.
Responding to arguments on the vows of poverty taken by priests and nuns, CJI Chandrachud stated that religious vows do not alter employment tax obligations, stressing that tax law applies uniformly. Despite references to past practices exempting priests from tax, the Supreme Court ruled that TDS deductions would apply, permitting priests and nuns to file for refunds if eligible.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Speaker UT Khader attends local cricket tournament during Bhatkal visit
Bhatkal: Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly U. T. Khader visited Bhatkal in Uttara Kannada district on Saturday and attended a local cricket match being played as part of a tournament organised by the Cosmos Sports Centre of Bhatkal.
After attending a programme at Anjuman Hami-E-Muslimeen, Khader proceeded to the Bhatkal Taluka Stadium, where the tournament is underway. He was accompanied by office-bearers of the Cosmos Sports Centre and several local community leaders.
Those present during the visit included President of Majlis-e-Islah Wa Tanzeem and former JD(S) leader Inayathullah Shabandri, Vice President of Tanzeem Atiqur Rahman Muniri, General Secretary Abdul Raqeeb MJ, President of Cosmos Sports Centre Ismail Anjum, Managing Director of Mohtisham Complexes S. M. Arshad, former president of the Bhatkal Muslim Youth Federation Imtiyaz Udyawar, among others.
Addressing players and organisers, Khader extended his best wishes to the participating teams and urged the players to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship. He said such tournaments help promote unity and brotherhood among the youth.
The cricket tournament began on November 21 and will conclude with the final match on December 21. It is being organised as part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the Cosmos Sports Centre.
Cosmos Sports Centre is one of the member clubs of the Bhatkal Muslim Youth Federation and is known for its active role in promoting sports in the town. Apart from sporting activities, the centre is also involved in various social and community initiatives, including efforts to promote education among students.
