Scientologists to cash in on charity tax breaks
Change to legal definition of 'religion' will allow Scientologists to benefit from charity tax breaks
A change to the legal definition of religion will allow Scientology and other
non-mainstream religions to register as charities and claim generous UK tax
reliefs.
According to The Times, advisers believe that religious groups with
multiple gods, or even those with no gods at all, will be able to claim the same
privileges as religions such as Christianity.
Pagans, witches, Rastas and Scientologists are all set to benefit from the
change.
The Charity
Commission used to use the definition of a religion as the worship
of ‘a supreme being’, but under change to the 2006 Charities Act, religion now
includes belief in one, many or no gods.
If Scientology is granted charity status, its annual income of £10m will
increase in value by 22%, as it will be able to reclaim the basic tax rate on
donations.
Further reading:
Read the
2006 Charities Act
Find out more about
Scientology