wfn.org | Taiwan's Presbyterian Bible College Served with Enormous Tax Bill

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Taiwan Church News 2718, 29 March through 4 April 2004
Reported by: Yang Shu-hao.  Translated and Rewritten by David Alexander

The Presbyterian Bible College, which has been located in Hsin-chu, Taiwan,
for over 50 years unexpectedly received a tax bill from the municipal
government a few days ago.  The bill was for thirty million Taiwan Yuan
(750,000 Euros).  It was to cover the property and structure tax assessments
for the past five years.

According to Taiwan's laws, institutions of religious and theological
education are exempt from these taxes.

The college's director of general affairs, Sher Jih-luen, the matter was
precipitated because last year the college petitioned to erect a new
education
building and used the most basic form of application for tax exemption.  The
municipal tax office took note of the college's unaccredited status and
decided to levy taxes retroactively on the entire campus.

At the beginning of the year, the college filed an appeal. The recently
received tax bill is an indication that the appeal was denied.

Mr. Sher says, "This threatens all of the educational agencies of the
Presbyterian Church in Taiwan that are not accredited.	All have been treated
as tax exempt in the past. We do not understand why the local municipal
government has suddenly changed course.  If it is to be so, the college must
seek redress through the central government.

College president Lin Rei-lung simply stated, "The Bible College is not a
business organization. If we have to shoulder a tax bill of thirty million
Taiwan Yuan now, does that mean we will owe 6 million per year in the
future?"

He questions the city government's motives, noting that this year the college
approached the health department offering the use of the campus as an
emergency health station in the event of a war. The offer was refused because
of the college's unaccredited status.

Subsequently a team from the government showed up to inform the school that a
stream bisecting its campus has been slated to be covered and turned into a
road. The government plans to take possession of campus land on both sides of
the new thoroughfare. School authorities pointed out that their land is
already limited. The presence of a public road dividing the campus and the
loss of land alongside it would make future conduct of the school's mission
impossible.

The college has been in the city for decades without tax problems. Dr. Lin
wonders if the entire affair is because the school had drawn unfavorable
attention for matters apart from religion or education.

The matter is not yet settled.	The college is appealing based on various
aspects of the laws governing religious training institutions.	In the
meantime, all are asked to pray, and if any can offer expert consulting
services, they are welcome to contact the college directly.

For More Information: Presbyterian Bible College www.pbc.org.tw
		    e-mail:  pbcem@pbc.org.tw

Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local languages.
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