Big stir in the Polish Senate! The Senators' desk was hit by a civic petition that could radically change the way spiritual institutions are financed in Poland. The proposal to introduce a compulsory ecclesiastical tax, modelled on the controversial German model, has already caused a storm among lawyers, economists and average citizens. If this task is implemented, millions of Poles may be burdened with additional 100 PLN per month, which will importantly hit home budgets and can lead to an unprecedented outflow of believers from the Church.
The initiative, which entered the legislature in June, assumes automatic deductions from the salaries of all Poles working for churches and spiritual unions. Language of the taxation in the amount eight percent income tax. This solution, although promoted by petitioners as a way to stabilise the finances of the Church, raises serious constitutional and social doubts. Is Poland ready for specified a fundamental change, whose consequences in Germany are already dramatically visible?
Mandatory tax: How much will you truly pay?
The proposal to introduce a church tax, although at first glance it seems abstract, has very circumstantial and painful financial consequences for the average Pole. According to the petition, 8% of income taxation would be automatically deducted from salary. This means that with an average gross wage of about PLN 5000 per month, the additional charge would amount to as much as PLN 400. For people who gain PLN 10,000 gross per month, this amount would increase to stunning PLN 800.
These numbers aren't just dry statistics. They are a crucial proportion of the home budget a typical Polish family. In a country where inflation is inactive felt, and the cost of surviving increases, an additional fewer 100 PLN per period can find whether the household will be able to make ends meet. Experts specified as Piotr Juszczyk, Chief taxation Advisor inFakt, point out the deficiency of precision in the petition – it is unclear whether the tribute would be charged on gross or net remuneration, which further complicates the situation and creates a field of explanation for the detriment of the citizen.
It is worth noting that the proposed mechanics would cover only those employed for the employment contract, the contract and the work contract, completely bypassing entrepreneurs operating an economical activity. specified selectivity raises serious doubts as to compliance with the constitutional rule of equality with the law and can lead to discrimination against circumstantial professional groups, deepening social divisions.
German Model: Warning, Not a Model to Follow
The petitioners point to Germany as a function model, but Kirchensteuer (a church tax) there provides warnings alternatively than affirmative examples. In most German lands, this taxation amounts to 9% income tax, and in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg – 8%. What became his consequence? Mass drain from the churches.
The statistic are alarming. At the end of 2024, the 2 largest Christian denominations in Germany belonged together 37,8 million people, which means a fall from 38.9 million a year earlier. The number of Catholics for the first time in post-war past fell below 20 million, reaching the level 19.8 million believers. The Protestant Church besides notes the dramatic decline in membership to 18 million people. These figures clearly show that a compulsory church tax, alternatively of strengthening the position of religion in society, contributes to its marginalisation.
Faithfuls specified as Peter essential of North Rhine-Westphalia, with heartache, decide to resign from the Church solely for financial reasons. The yearly taxation represents a crucial burden on the household budget, especially erstwhile the quality of spiritual services is systematically deteriorating. The German churches face a staff crisis, deficiency of clergy, and the faithful must travel tens of kilometres to attend the services. The situation is so absurd that Catholic families organize the first communion in Evangelical churches due to deficiency of service in their parishes. In addition, leaving the Church in Germany involves a fee 30 euros in the territory court and losing the right to a last rite or ceremony involving a clergyman. Does Poland want to go this way?
Poland at the crossroads: What does this mean for you?
The introduction of a akin strategy in Poland would have even more serious social consequences than in Germany. Poland, as a country with much lower per capita income, would gotta face a proportionally higher financial burden on its citizens. While in Germany average earnings let easier abolition of additional tribute, in Poland 400 or 800 PLN per period represents a crucial part of the household budget.
The most problematic aspect of the proposed solution is forcing citizens to declare their spiritual affiliation or deficiency thereof. Unbelievers would gotta formally step out of the procedure to avoid automatic deductions. This mechanics is in clear conflict with constitutional freedom of conscience and religion and the rule that support for spiritual organisations should be voluntary. A strategy that forces citizens to publically declare their spiritual beliefs carries a hazard of breach of privacy and can lead to deep social divisions.
Instead of coercion, taxation experts point to the existence of alternate models of spiritual financing that better match democratic standards. An example is simply a strategy analogous to the transmission mechanics 1.5% taxation on public benefit organisations. specified a model would let believers to consciously and voluntarily support their spiritual community without the request to declare confessional affiliation in taxation papers and without creating additional financial burdens.
The Future of Church Financing: Voluntary or Forced?
The analysis of global experiences with church taxes provides clear conclusions: forced systems frequently lead to a decline in religiousness and a mass outflow of believers. Countries that have never introduced compulsory church taxes specified as France, the United Kingdom or the United States have no major problems with the financing of spiritual activities. Their Churches developed alternate models based on voluntary contributions, economical activities and philanthropic supportwhich are frequently more effective than forced taxation systems.
The introduction of compulsory ecclesiastical taxation in Poland would be a step backwards compared to European trends towards greater spiritual freedom and limiting state interference in spiritual matters. alternatively of strengthening the position of religion in society, it could lead to its further marginalisation and deepening social divisions against the background of the worldview. The destiny of this petition in the legislature will find whether Poland chooses the way of coercion, or whether it will choose freedom of choice and voluntaryness in matters of religion and its funding.
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I've got an urgent petition for church tax. Poles will pay even 800 PLN per month!
