Thorhallsson said: “We want people at the very least to be able to opt out [of the parish fee].” He added it was equally important that “in a modern society the state should not keep a register of people’s religious beliefs”. According to article 62 of the constitution, the Evangelical Lutheran Church “shall be the State Church in Iceland and, as such, it shall be supported and protected by the State”. Subscribe to RT newsletter to get stories the mainstream media won’t tell you, Icelandic volcanoes could power British homes, Senate votes to override Trump’s veto of defense spending bill. But last year, thousands of Icelanders suddenly joined the ancient Zuist movement -- a religion centered on worshiping Sumerian gods. The Evangelical Lutheran Church had no one available to comment. Things started to gain momentum last month, when over 1,000 people registered as Zuist. There are currently over 3,000 members, according to the Guardian. Thousands of residents, opposed to the state-funded system of religion, have recently joined in, amid promises to receive a refund for religion taxes. Some politicians have claimed that Zuism should be de-registered because it is not a true religion. Learn more about Iceland, including its history. They are allowed the same deductions for expenses as residents. In other words, the original receipt must show at least 6,000 ISK spent, this can include sales tax. It’s collected in two brackets, 11% and 24%, depending on the goods and services. As of 2019, 80.17% of the Icelanders were affiliated with some religion officially recognised by the government and listed in the civil registry, 13.02% were members of some unspecified other religions not registered within the civil registry, and 6.96% were unaffiliated with any religion. Practiced by way of singing ancient Sumerian poems, Zuism was officially recognized as a religion in Iceland in 2013. This dates back to the beginning of Christianity in Iceland, when tithes were enforced by the government. The English section of the Zuists’ website says: “The religious organisation of Zuism is a platform for its members to practise a religion of the ancient Sumerian people. However… The modern Icelander is a stylish, tech-savvy and well-informed human. Followers of Zuism will be refunded the tax element earmarked for religion. Their dominant faith before 1000 A.D was Paganism. “There is no opt-out. In Spain and Portugal paying a church tax is optional. We’re planning another.”. A significant sliver of Iceland’s population has suddenly found a new religion -- and the promise of a tax rebate. Zuists fully support freedom of religion, and from religion, for everyone. The church reportedly boasts some 3,000 members (almost 1 percent of Iceland’s modest population of 323,000), which means they actually outnumber Muslims. This means he has to pay tax on income arising from sources in Iceland although he still has unlimited tax liability in another country. The Norsemen had rich cosmology with mythology and held festivals celebrating the “divine”. Those who are unaffiliated or belong to unregistered religions effectively just pay higher taxes,” said Sveinn Thorhallsson, a Zuist spokesperson. But inactivity put it at risk of being de-registered by the authorities earlier this year. Tax free shopping in Iceland applies to goods that are purchased in Iceland for 6,000 ISK ($56 USD or 46,00 €) or more. People attend the lighting of the Christmas tree in front of Reykjavík Cathedral, the mother church of the state’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. “Their reasons for registering are rather twofold: to get money in their pockets, or to protest against current legislation about religious organisations.”. Almost 5% of people practice ásatrú, the traditional Norse religion. There are not 301,931 buddists in Iceland in 2007 as claimed on this page. They also worshiped their ancestors as devotion to deceased relatives was of great importance to them. “The organization’s primary objective is that the government repeal any law that grants religious organizations privilege, financial or otherwise, above other organizations. If the person is not religious, the payment goes to the state, becoming part of the income tax budget. Icelands total population was 307,672 and about 80% of the population is registered in the Lutheran Church of Iceland. Corporate, consumption, and labor taxes are less complex than they are on average in the OECD. Iceland's corporate tax rate of 20 percent is below the OECD average of 23.3 percent. The Iceland tax team reviews regularly the levels of tax knowledge and awareness so that the impact of tax can be considered at the outset of new projects and business decisions. A church tax is a tax imposed by the state on members of some religious congregations to provide financial support of churches, such as the salaries of its clergy and to pay the operating cost of the church. Another 5% are registered in other Christian denominations, including the Free Church of Iceland and the Roman Catholic Church. A new religion, Zuism, based on the worship of the ancient Sumeran gods promises a refund for government religion taxes for everyone registering with their religious group in Iceland. Here you find general information on rules and regulations regarding importation of goods to Iceland. However, the ties to old traditions and superstitions are strong. Religion and non-religious convictions; Social Security and Pensions; ... that exploit gaps and mismatches in tax rules to artificially shift profits to low or no-tax locations where there is little or no economic activity. Personal Income Tax Rate in Iceland averaged 44.63 percent from 1995 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 46.90 percent in 1996 and a record low of 35.70 percent in 2007. The church tax is payable by people above the age of 16 and amounts to an average of ISK 7,800 (£40) annually. However, tax authorities told Iceland Monitor that if Zuists do refund parish fees to their members, they will in their turn have to pay income tax from these funds. To calculate it, 20% (19,35%, to be precise) of the total retail price for the higher bracket is taken and 10% (9,91%) of the lower bracket. Iceland is obliged to transpose into Icelandic law the European rules which are annexed to the EEA Agreement. Zuism, it adds, “will cease to exist when its objectives have been met”. Icelanders are required to register their religion with the state, with almost three-quarters of the population affiliated to the established Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland. Ancient Zuist movement enjoys revival as thousands join as part of protest against requirement that citizens pay taxes to state church, Last modified on Wed 29 Nov 2017 06.12 GMT. The challenge set by Zuists is to abolish state funding for religious groups in Iceland. Icelanders Use Religion to Dodge Taxes A religion based on beliefs from thousands of years ago is allowing some Icelandic citizens to avoid mandatory religious taxes. Value-added Tax in Iceland is always included in the price of the product or service. The hof has been partially funded by Iceland’s taxpayers, who have to pay the government a religious tax, which is then distributed to official faith groups (hence why recognition was so important). The Public Finances The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs is responsible for implementing the Public Finances as a whole on the basis of the Public Finance Act. If you need further information you are welcome to send us an enquiry or a message via our online chat or call a service representative: (+354) 560-0300. Zuism is a new religion, set up in Iceland a couple of years ago and apparently based on the worship of ancient Sumeran gods. In fact, separation of religion and the state is what most Icelanders look forward to, recent polling has found. There were 652 icelanders registered in the Buddhist Association in 2007. Income tax. Importing to Iceland. Religion: Most Icelanders (80%) are members of the Lutheran State Church. Furthermore Zuists demand that the government’s registry of its citizens’ religion will be abolished,” members say on the group's website.They say the “religious organization of Zuism will cease to exist when its objectives have been met.”. A group of citizens opposed to the state funding of religion mounted a takeover, promising converts that they would be refunded their parish fees. For many countries and locations, there are different practices that have become archaic and obsolete. An individual that stays in Iceland for less than six months in a twelve month period, has limited tax liability in Iceland. The amount set in next year’s budget is the equivalent of about $80 (£53) per taxpayer over a year. And, there are a number of things that seem normal in Iceland that might look strange to an outsider. Catholics comprise the […] The tax team regularly reviews changes in tax legislation and assess the impact … © Autonomous Nonprofit Organization “TV-Novosti”, 2005–2021. Economy: GDP = $34,91 billion (2017). A Gallup survey published in late October shows over 55 percent of people are in favor of the separation of church and state (an increase of nearly 5 percent on the previous year), with 23.9 percent opposed to it. The Personal Income Tax Rate in Iceland stands at 46.24 percent. Iceland - Information on Tax Identification Numbers Section I – TIN Description The Icelandic Identification Number (kennitala) is used as a TIN in Iceland. This leads to a shift in profits by companies from high tax areas to low tax areas. An opinion poll published in September showed 55% of respondents want an end to the system. Understanding these factors about some specific locations, help individuals from other locations truly define other locations. Perhaps surprisingly, some newly registered Zuists were also showing an interest in Sumerian worship, he added. The amount set in next year’s budget is about $85 per taxpayer over a year, according to Zuists. See here in Icelands goverments official page: “But the real question is, what is a true religious organisation and how do you measure belief?” said Thorhallsson, who describes himself as agnostic. The … This page provides - Iceland Personal Income Tax Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Icelanders opposed to the state funding of religion have flocked to register as Zuists, a movement that worships ancient Sumerian gods and – perhaps more importantly – promises its followers a tax rebate. The organisation’s primary objective is that the government repeal any law that grants religious organisations privilege, financial or otherwise, above other organisations. Foreign specialists employed by an Icelandic entity are only subject to an income tax of 75 percent of their income for services performed in Iceland for the first 3 years as 25 percent of the foreign specialist’s income for services rendered in Iceland is exempt from income and withholding tax… Non-resident individuals staying temporarily in Iceland (for 182 days or less in any given 12-month period) who derive income from employment during their stay are subject to state income tax on such income. Iceland's tax authorities say that the Zuist church can do whatever it wants with the money, but that adherents who receive rebates on parish fees will be charged income tax on them. "There is no opt-out. This website uses cookies. Read RT Privacy policy to find out more. A church tax is imposed in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Sweden, some parts of Switzerland and several other countries. Iceland (red) Tax on corporate profits Indicator: 2.1 Total % of GDP 2019 Iceland % of GDP: Total % of GDP 2000-2019 Iceland (red), OECD - Average (black) Total % of GDP 2019 Iceland (red) Tax revenue Indicator: 36.1 Total % of GDP 2019 Iceland % of GDP: Total % of GDP 2000-2019 Iceland (red), OECD - Average (black) Total More than 3,100 people – almost 1% of Iceland’s population – have joined the Zuist movement in the past two weeks in protest at paying part of their taxes to the state church and other religious bodies. All rights reserved. Furthermore Zuists demand that the government’s registry of its citizens’ religion will be abolished.”. Cultural practices, language, dressing, sports, religion and environment are some of the most important. Lying on the constantly active geologic border between North America and Europe, Iceland is a land of vivid contrasts of climate, geography, and culture. Zuism, a religion based on ancient Sumerian beliefs, has become the fastest growing religious group in Iceland. Dedacted from income taxes, it goes to a religious organization of choice. Stefán Bogi Sveinsson of the Progressive party urged the Zuists to de-register as a religious movement. The organization promises to give the cash it receives back to its members, saying that anyone over the age of 16 registering with the religion would get a refund for the so-called parish fees. All Icelanders are charged a Church Tax (regardless of their faith), which is paid to the official State Church. Iceland has a territorial tax system that fully exempts foreign dividends and capital gains with no country limitations. Non-Lutherans can choose to have their tax paid to a charity or the University of Iceland. New religion in Iceland promises tax rebates to followers, membership surges In addition, the results of the poll showed growing support for the separation of church and state, with 72% of those who responded to the question speaking in the favor of full separation. Our website in Icelandic has more detailed information on this subject. There are more than 40 other registered religious bodies that qualify for “parish fees” paid through the taxation system. There are so many factors that truly define and properly explain the history of a specific location. Unemployment rate: 2,9% (2018). Thousands of residents, opposed to the state-funded system of religion, have recently joined in, amid promises to receive a refund for religion taxes. Zuism, a religion based on ancient Sumerian beliefs, has become the fastest growing religious group in Iceland. As things stand now, citizens are required to pay a congregation tax (sóknargjöld). According to the Visir news website, Zuism Association of Iceland was established two years ago, but was inactive, having only three members on board until recently. “No one has registered in the organisation to practice Zuism itself,” he wrote, according to a report in the Reykjavik Grapevine. Iceland, island country located in the North Atlantic Ocean. Zuism, based on the worship of Sumerian gods, registered as a religion in Iceland in 2013. This number is a unique number issued to both individuals and entities. Icelanders are required to register their religion with the state, with almost three-quarters of the population affiliated to the established Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland. Ironically, atheists are also expected to pay the church tax. The country’s capital is Reykjavik. “We had a service, with a reading of ancient Sumerian poetry. Tax liability. The TIN has a special structure depending on the type of taxpayer. 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