Second group of church ministers in Samoa have tax charges withdrawn

Apia, SAMOA — The Ministry of Revenue in Samoa has withdrawn tax charges against a further 19 ministers from the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa.

The ministers appeared in the District Court this week with the church General Secretary Vavatau Taufao confirming the withdrawals.

In July a court also threw out charges of tax evasion against 20 other ministers from the country's largest church.

The charges against the ministers stem from a new law which makes it compulsory for all church ministers to pay taxes on the monetary gifts they receive from their congregations.

The CCCS voted in its annual general conference to boycott the law.