The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Financial accountability of churches seems to be something legislation must address as if there is no accountability I have to suggest many are being taken for a proverbial ride and long ride at that.

A registered church has tax exemptions from custom duties and soon VAT on certain merchandise they use for the church – BEC affords the church premises a lower rate than the commercial rate – no real property tax on their property, buildings.

A church with as few as 60 members if all place in the collection $10.00 per Sunday that Rev is collecting $31,200.00 per annum - take that up to say 1,000 members that’s $52,000.00 - take that up again to 20,000 that’s $10.4m take that up again to 40,000 that’s $20.8 million and there is no required independent audit?

There are many of these churches which are businesses, we know them and they probably receive far more than any of the calculations above and remember I was only suggesting the tithe was $10.00 every Sunday…imagine if the $10.00 was $20.00 per Sunday?

Any such organisation must have checks and balances - no few people so-called cliques or special friends of the Revs. Must remain in office for long period of time, five-years is too long for me without having to resign.
Money is money and if the Revs are to correctly use monies tithed for the works of God they better be willing to be checked and scrutinised.

How often are these numerous raffles for this and that charity audited by Ministry of Finance? It is not automatic you get the 15 per cent tax concession. How many actually bother to apply to Finance for the tax exemption?

VAT might be going to change a lot of things which will be to the improvement of accountability hoping churches will be included, as for too long many have gone along and never been challenged and have certainly not be accountable – I hope after recent occurrences things are not going to be found not proper?

W THOMPSON

Nassau,

November 27, 2014.