The WTS had a printery in Wiesbaden before they moved to Selters in the 80s. However, actually there was a legal case in the 60s or 70 when the WTS did not want to pay VAT. The court said they had to, otherwise they could applie for that public body status. The WTS replied that this status was against their belief! With this status they have some advantages with real estate, too, like building kingdom halls in living areas instead of industrial areas.
WTB&TS in Germany Gets Tithes...
by prophecor 15 Replies latest watchtower scandals
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Narkissos
It would be very interesting to see whether the WT resists the "temptation" to fully use the German system in the long run, because it potentially brings in much more money than "voluntary donations" (especially among JWs where the cash flow is comparatively low). I have heard that many international religious institutions live mostly on the contributions of the German churches for this very reason. This might actually save the WT worldwide.
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dust
GermanXJW,
I am interested in that VAT incident in the 60's ot 70's. I suppose there is little trace of this in online sources, but if you happen to know a site where it is mentioned, I would be more than happy, especially if it is a governmental archive. (I know, I know -- but I am allowed to dream, aren't I. ;)
I have googled "Mehrwertsteuer" and "Zeugen Jehovas", but there are 1450 hits. Perhaps if some newspaper has an online archive with old articles...
Well, I am pretty sure you can't help, but I have to ask you know. :) -
GermanXJW
The verdict of the highest German court has the signature 1 BvR 498/62 and is of Oct 4th, 1965. You find the whole German text on this Swiss university server: http://www.servat.unibe.ch/law/dfr/bv019129.html
The text states at §III, Sec.2, Sentence 2:
Die Beschwerdeführerin macht geltend, sie könne die Körperschaftsrechte jederzeit erlangen, lehne es nur aus Gründen des Glaubens und ihrer religiösen Überzeugung ab, einen entsprechenden Antrag zu stellen, der die Verleihung der Körperschaftsrechte und damit die Umsatzsteuerfreiheit zur Folge habe.
My poor translation:
The complainant argue that they could get the status of a public body at any time but just refuse due to reasons of belief and religious creed to file a corresponding request that would result in the granting of the rights of a public body and by means of this would grant exemption from VAT.
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dust
Wow! Vielen Dank! :)
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GermanXJW
Just to put things straight: the churches in Germany do not get 9% of your income. They get depending on the federal state 8% or 9% of the tax paid on your income. JW do not get a church tax but they could if they wished.