Taking riba to pay the taxes that are obligatory upon one
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Fatwa number ( 13639 )
Q: I inform your eminence that I am one of the Saudi students studying in Britain , and since the government imposes taxes on us
British, such as the road tax and another tax of 15% on the items we purchase, excluding food items and children's clothing. Currently, a new tax has been applied to municipal services provided by the city municipality, such as education, cleanliness, swimming pools, parks, entertainment venues, and social services. Since we do not benefit from most of these services, as they conflict with the teachings of our noble religion, and we only benefit from education, cleanliness, and children's playgrounds, we are required to pay this tax, which ranges between 3,000 and 4,000 Saudi Riyals per year, i.e., approximately 300 Saudi Riyals per month. The question here, O honorable Shaykh: Is it permissible for me to place a sum of money in a deposit account, which is an interest-based account (dealing in riba) and yields profits reaching 12% per year, and to pay some of these taxes from the profits or interest I obtain from this account? And due to my inability to act in this matter except with evidence, in accordance with the saying of the Exalted:[At-Taghabun 64:16] I hope that your eminence will graciously respond to this message at the earliest opportunity so that I can act accordingly, as paying these taxes will add to my financial burdens. I ask the Noble Lord to prolong your life and grant you health and well-being, and in conclusion, please accept my best regards.
A: It is not permissible for you to deposit with interest to pay the taxes that are due on you from this interest; due to the generality of the evidence prohibiting riba.
And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: I inform your eminence that I am one of the Saudi students studying in Britain , and since the government imposes taxes on us
British, such as the road tax and another tax of 15% on the items we purchase, excluding food items and children's clothing. Currently, a new tax has been applied to municipal services provided by the city municipality, such as education, cleanliness, swimming pools, parks, entertainment venues, and social services. Since we do not benefit from most of these services, as they conflict with the teachings of our noble religion, and we only benefit from education, cleanliness, and children's playgrounds, we are required to pay this tax, which ranges between 3,000 and 4,000 Saudi Riyals per year, i.e., approximately 300 Saudi Riyals per month. The question here, O honorable Shaykh: Is it permissible for me to place a sum of money in a deposit account, which is an interest-based account (dealing in riba) and yields profits reaching 12% per year, and to pay some of these taxes from the profits or interest I obtain from this account? And due to my inability to act in this matter except with evidence, in accordance with the saying of the Exalted:
So fear Allah as much as you are able
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْA: It is not permissible for you to deposit with interest to pay the taxes that are due on you from this interest; due to the generality of the evidence prohibiting riba.
And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.