The author of the petition – let us emphasize – follows solutions from Germany. It argues that "this system, which has been successfully operating in Germany for many years, proves its advanced efficiency and transparency". People who declare their membership of the Church or any another spiritual union – according to infor.pl – would pay 8% of the income taxation on remuneration. The fee would be collected by the employer and transferred to the taxation office. The money would go to a church or a spiritual union that the payer would point out. Church taxation would not should be paid by those who declared that they were not part of any spiritual community. "This would be fair, due to the fact that the work to participate in the maintenance of a peculiar spiritual union (by paying the tax) would lie solely with those who consciously declare their affiliation and benefit from the activities of their spiritual union," says the petitioner. The petition on the introduction of church taxation was addressed to the legislature Committee on Petitions. How is the Church financed in Poland?Currently, the main origin of income of the Catholic Church is the victims of the faithful. They are not taxed. Another origin is the Church Fund, which funds the state. Churches and spiritual associations may apply for grants. This money can be utilized for, for example, charitable activities, moving hospitals, nursing homes, preservation of sacral monuments. This year the maximum amount of the grant from the Kościelny Fund is PLN 200 thousand. In exceptional cases, the grant may be increased. The parishes of the Catholic Church besides have income from business activities, including the rental of real estate, the sale of devotives and the operation of cemeteries. ‘ The current strategy of financing spiritual institutions in Poland, based mostly on voluntary donations and grants, is frequently opaque and controversial. The introduction of a ecclesiastical taxation would improve the circulation of funds, making it more formal and subject to public control," the petitioner stressed. Read also:
