France court asked to pay the tax in dew

by bj 7 Replies latest jw friends

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  bj

  JW in France were asked by the court to pay the tax in dew which since 1998 they been contesting.

  Joe

  Le Parisien , 1er mars 2002

  [Texte intégral

  La Cour d'appel de Versailles a confirmé hier le redressement fiscal infligé aux Témoins de Jéhovah.

  Les juges ont donné raison à l'administration fiscale qui leur réclame, depuis 1998, 45 millions d'euros (295 MF). Cette somme colossale correspond à un impôt de 60 % sur les dons et offrandes des fidèles que doivent acquitter les associations non reconnues comme cultuelles, comme c'est le cas des Témoins de Jéhovah, répertoriés comme une secte apocalyptique.

  Un « tel arrêt, s'il devait être confirmé », constituerait « une lourde menace pour la liberté religieuse », ont protesté les Témoins de Jéhovah .
• 

  funkyderek

  Here's a (computer-assisted) translation into English. It's a bit clunky but accurate enough, I think:

  Le Parisien, 1st March 2002

  [complete Text

  The Versailles Court of Appeal confirmed yesterday the payment of back taxes imposed on Jehovah's Witnesses.

  The judges ruled in favour of the tax authorities who are demanding from them, since 1998, 45 million euros (295 MF). This colossal sum corresponds to a tax of 60% on the gifts and offerings of believers that associations not recognized as religious have to settle, as is the case with Jehovah's Witnesses, listed as an apocalyptic sect. "Such a ruling, if it were to be confirmed ", would constitute "a grave threat for religious freedom", protested Jehovah's Witnesses.

  --
  "Theology is never any help; it is searching in a dark cellar at midnight for a black cat that isn't there. Theologians can persuade themselves of anything." -Robert A. Heinlein
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  bj

  Ireland, thanks for the translation.

  Joe
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  bj

  Here's what JW had to say on the issue (perhaps somebody can translate it)

  Joe

  Communiqué du consistoire national
  - 28 février 2002 -

  Ce jeudi 28 février 2002, la Cour d'appel de Versailles vient de confirmer une mesure de l'administration fiscale visant à taxer, rétroactivement, à hauteur de 60 %, les offrandes perçues par l'association religieuse des Témoins de Jéhovah.

  Cette taxe réclamée par l'administration est colossale. Outre qu'elle génère un endettement inextricable pour une association religieuse centenaire, elle confisque le soutien financier apporté par quelque 250 000 fidèles.

  Pourtant, l'administration fiscale a retenu le caractère non lucratif et la gestion désintéressée de l'Association " Les Témoins de Jéhovah ". Les seules ressources de l'association étant les offrandes des fidèles, il reste à savoir si les offrandes recueillies pour acquitter cette taxe seront à leur tour imposées à hauteur de 60 %*. Chacun mesurera le grotesque de la situation.

  Doit-on désormais parler, en France, d'" excommunication fiscale " ? Devant l'extrême émotion suscitée par la décision de la Cour d'appel de Versailles, le Consistoire des Témoins de Jéhovah, présidé par Jean-Marie Bockaert, craint qu'un tel arrêt, s'il devait être confirmé, constitue une lourde menace pour la liberté religieuse et une entrave sérieuse à la vie associative en France.

  Fidèles à leur foi chrétienne, les Témoins de Jéhovah continueront de rendre un culte à Dieu.

  ' Si cette œuvre vient des hommes, elle sera renversée ;
  mais si elle vient de Dieu, vous ne pourrez pas la renverser. '
  Actes des Apôtres, chapitre 5, versets 38 et 39.

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Note

  * Si cela devait être le cas, cela signifierait que pour régler les 45 millions d'euros (300 millions de francs) réclamés, l'association devrait réunir 112,5 millions d'euros (750 millions de francs) d'offrandes, à leur tour taxables à hauteur de 60 % !
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  Scully

  Communique from the National Treasury
  - 28 February 2002 -

  On Thursday, February 28, 2002, the Court of Appeals in Versailles ruled on the proposal of the revenue administration which will tax, retroactively, up to 60%, the donations received by the religious association of Jehovah's Witnesses.

  This tax claimed by the administration is colossal. Other than creating an insurmountable debt for a century old religious group, it confiscates the financial support provided by about 250,000 followers.

  Yet, the revenue administration maintains the non-profit nature and the charitable status of The Association of "The Jehovah's Witnesses". The only resources of the Association are the donations from followers, it remains to be seen whether the donations received toward settling this tax will in turn be taxed at up to 60%.* Each person realizes the gravity of this situation.

  Must we sadly speak of, in France, of 'excommunication by tax'? In light of the extreme emotion elicited by the decision of the Court of Appeal of Versailles, the Treasurer for the Jehovah's Witnesses, presided by Jean-Marie Bockaert, believes that such a decree, if it is passed, constitutes a heavy menace for religious liberty and a serious hinderance to the helping communities in France.

  Loyal to their Christian faith, Jehovah's Witnesses continue to render worship to God.

  "If this scheme or this work is from men, it will be overthrown; but if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them." Acts 5:38, 39.

  --------

  Note

  * If this is the case, it means that in order to settle the 45 million Euros (300 million francs) in taxes, the Association would have to collect 112.5 million Euros (750 millon francs) in donations, which in turn would be taxable at 60%!
• 

  anglise

  Why are the WTBTS fighting this?
  'Render to caeser' etc
  Any links for this article?
• 

  Sargon

  Funny thought, it was attempted taxation by the King of France,that
  put the Knights templar out of business. Maybe they're trying to do
  the same with the witnesses. If it works, someone should let the people of Stratton know.

  
  They faught like warrior poets...and gained their freedom.
• 

  Satanus

  If this is the case, it means that in order to settle the 45 million Euros (300 million francs) in taxes, the Association would have to collect 112.5 million Euros (750 millon francs) in donations, which in turn would be taxable at 60%!

  As if they don't have a penny to their corporation. Cry me a river! They have been fleacing their sheep till now, and now they want to pass this tax onto their backs as well. The wt is just like any other bad govt.

  SS