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The claim going around on social media, particularly Twitter and Facebook, the past week that only Hindu temples have to pay taxes is completely false, reports fact-checking website AltNews.
Youtuber Elvish Yadav tweeted the claim on September 26. The tweet received over 8,600 retweets. YouTuber Gaurav Taneja also claimed likewise and wrote, "If they [BJP] cannot do it with 282 (2014) and 303 (2019), I doubt if even 543 would be enough." The same claim was made by BJP MP Subramanian Swamy in 2017. Swamy had also likewise falsely claimed that mosques and churches are exempt from GST.
The Finance Ministry had tweeted that the claim is false on July 3, 2017. GST is not implemented based on religion, they added. As per law, any organisation with an annual earning of over 40 lakhs must obtain a GST registration. One can avail tax exemption only if registered under Section 12AA of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Religious activities from all faiths would be exempted from GST, provided the services are mentioned in the list issued by the government, such as organising religious ceremonies, renting out the religious premises, etc. Services outside of the list come under the purview of GST, and the trust shall have to pay tax for the same.