Seoul, South Korea - The government is expected to sit on public calls for the imposition of income taxes on clergymen to avoid risk of angering the religious sector.
The Ministry of Finance and Economy said yesterday it is still examining whether it can impose income taxes on religious workers.
But the issue is likely to be excluded from the ministry's tax reform plan to be announced at the end of this month, as some officials said that they are still reviewing the pros and cons of taxing the affected category.
``We're still examining the issue. There are too many related cases to review,'' said Choi Young-rok, director at the ministry's income tax division.
If the ministry's plan to tax clergymen were to be included in the tax reform plan, Catholic priests, Buddhist monks, pastors and authorities of other religious organizations would be subject to taxation though the majority of them would likely end up not paying a penny as they fall below tax exemption levels.
Clergymen have not been subject to income tax in the past, as there has been no related tax code.
Opinions are keenly divided over whether clergymen should be subject to taxation.
The Solidarity for Freedom to Criticize Religion, a civic group, in May filed a complaint against the National Tax Service Commissioner, saying it is neglecting its duty not taxing clergymen. The tax agency sought opinion from the finance ministry on whether it is possible to legally collect income tax from those engaged in religion.
However, the ministry has so far failed to give a clear answer.
The civic group raised suspicion that the ministry is purposefully delaying its decision.
The group said there is no legal problem in levying tax on clergymen.
``It is not a matter of choice. People will feel betrayed by the government not abiding by the equal taxation principle,'' the group said in a statement.
Churches have been arguing that they are non-profit organizations, and that pastors' services should not be subject to taxation.
Most people, however want the government to tax clergymen. In an online poll conducted in May, 86 percent of respondents said religion should not an exception for income tax, while 14 percent said religious activity is not labor but divine service, so it should not be taxed.
Kang Bong-kyun, chief policymaker of the governing Uri Party, admitted in a radio interview that it is a sensitive issue, which could provoke a severe backlash from the religious community.