Govt ‘see reason’ over ‘sneaky tax on prayer’

The Government has “seen reason” and deferred a controversial levy on candles – which had been called  “sneaky” and described as “a tax on prayer” – until at least 2022.

The Department of Finance had proposed to withdraw a VAT exemption on the white candles used as votive lamps – a huge source of comfort to the faithful and an important source of donations for parishes.

“It’s great that it’s been deferred, I’m happy, the churches are happy,” Desmond Wisely of Wisely Ecclesiastical Supplies said. He had previous accused the Government of trying to “sneak” the tax in. “We’re in outbreak number three of Covid and churches are on their knees with regard to income coming in. Candles are the main source of income now I’d say with the envelopes dropping off,” he added.

Fr John Carroll who had criticised the move as being a “tax on prayer” – comparing it to taxing counselling sessions – welcomed the deferral, saying the decision makers should be “commended for their sensitivity to such a matter at this particular time when so many seek hope and comfort and draw it from prayer moments at churches”.

Mr Wisely said that it was good the Government have “seen reason” and won’t introduce the tax in the midst of the pandemic.

”It’s such a small thing, so minuscule, it’s not a big tax earner,” he said. “If it came in tomorrow, the person who’s going to pay for it is the church and the parish, which is something they can’t afford and that’s the bottom line.”

Mr Wisely said that it was good the Government have “seen reason” and won’t introduce the tax in the midst of the pandemic.

”It’s such a small thing, so minuscule, it’s not a big tax earner,” he said. “If it came in tomorrow, the person who’s going to pay for it is the church and the parish, which is something they can’t afford and that’s the bottom line.””Colin O’Carroll, Chairperson of the Irish Candlemakers Association – who had appealed to Government that it be deferred – said they were “very pleased with the concession”.

“It’s been kicked to touch for 12 months,” Mr O’Carroll said. “We had been given no notice. If it hadn’t been deferred I don’t think there would have been any chance of getting it back to what it was before, but now that it’s been deferred for 12 months we have a chance to get it deferred long term or completely. At least we now have that space.”

Mr O’Carroll said that as VAT is an EU-wide tax, they will be keeping a close eye on “any other changes in EU countries and make a case based on that”.

Fr Carroll said: “Sacred spaces, or sanctuary moments, play a vital role in the health of the country,” he continued. “They provide strength needed in times of trial, gratitude expressed at a time of deliverance – during exams, health tests, times of discernment – our churches facilitate this ‘self-help with God’ every year.

“The health benefits are enormous – we should make it as easy and as low cost as we can. The State shouldn’t exhaust society’s possibilities. Lighting a candle reminds us of how much more there is to life – like petition, gratitude and wonder. Let’s keep it tax free,” he concluded.