Transcript
Samoa's Minister of Revenue Ti'alavea Tionisio Hunt has said in public forums and meetings that the main idea behind it, is that everyone who earns an income, needs to pay tax.
He's said that the proposed change only targets the money church ministers receive from the congregation, but excludes the money they get from conducting occasions such as funerals and weddings.
He also said that a form would be provided by the Ministry for every church minister, and that church run businesses won't be exempt.
But Samoa's National Council of Churches is asking for the Ministry of Revenue to allow more time for individual churches to consult.
Spokesperson Reverend Ma'auga Motu says the main denominations, - the Congregational, Methodist, Mormon and Catholic churches, are all tasked with discussing it with members.
"Well it is an important issue, but for me the government must give time. They must give time to the church leaders to consult and discuss among the church goers and church leaders on what to do. "
He says there is still a lot of division as to the best way forward, like Pentecostal pastor, Samoa Unoi who disagrees with his income being taxed.
The Peace Chapel pastor says that he doesn't get a set wage, but lives off donations from parishioners for doing God's work.
"A normal job you are dictated and you will be paid by the hours you work. But the pastor's job and calling cannot be organised by the same thing. There are no hours, its 24/7, and so that is why it is very hard to determine the hours in regards to the honororiums the churches have given the pastors."
Pastor Unoi also says that if you study scriptures closely, tax in the bible is seen in a negative light.
Reverend Motu says such divisions means that each of these church consultations will be very time consuming and consensus among mainline churches will take some time.
"They are arguing against the length of time since this was going on and on. And this was the promise from church goers that it is their godly gifts for their individual ministers in the villagers and so many disagree to tax their ministers. But I have heard from other churches that the leaders are agreeing with the government."
However our correspondent, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, says that it is not the first time this motion has been tabled, but has so far failed.
He says that the ministry is already busy finalising its latest report and findings, following their own consultations.
"They support the tax. Especially members and representatives from the church of latter day saints, the seventh day Adventists, they are all supporting the taxing of church ministers."
And he says the ministry is unlikely to wait.
"Not only for taxing church ministers but also for the head of state. The ministry will not wait for other churches like the Methodist or congregational, to have their say and will go ahead and give their report to the cabinet."
The chief executive of the Ministry of Revenue has declined to comment saying they are busy finalising their report to go before Cabinet.
It is expected to be tabled ahead of this year's Budget.
