April 24, 2003
By Trinidad Vasquez

MANAGUA - Evangelical Churches, non-government rganizations and grassroots sectors raised a voice of alarm about a tax reform project under which even medicine and used clothing donations will apparently be subject to taxation.

The Pro-Denominational Alliance Council of Evangelical Churches (CEPAD) called on its pastoral committees and member Churches to protest and to demand a clarification about the negative impact of this tax reform.

CEPAD invited the second vice president of the National Assembly Orlando Tardencilla to a meeting Tuesday and former Congresswoman Dora Maria Tillez in order to analyze the socio-political crisis in Nicaragua.

Tardencilla told the CEPAD Assembly that up until April 22 there was no information about the so-called tax equity project as the executive branch was keeping it under wraps. He added that extra-officially he has been told that it includes hidden taxes that hit hardest at the poor and the Churches will be affected.

He added that the priority of the Assembly will be the approval of the law that will ensure equal opportunities for women One business sector is opposed to the project, affirming that it promotes abortion or same-sex marriages.

Tardencilla also affirmed that he will request reforms for the most polemic articles that have sparked opposition from both Catholics and Churches affiliated to the Evangelical Alliance.

The congressman also said that of 25,000 professionals in Nicaragua only 4,000 pay taxes and that there are private universities sheltered in foundations or NGOs that do not pay taxes but charge students US$200 or more each month. There are also public officials who earn US$5,000 - $8,000 each month as advisors and only pay taxes as state employees.

Dora Marma Tillez, former health minister under the Sandinista government said that even rice will face a higher taxes under the tax reform project and that cooperatives and Churches will be affected as they will have to pay taxes on donations for rural communities.

There is a need for political will so that the richest pay more and the poor are not affected, he said. There are business sectors that do not pay taxes and others that only pay a fixed amount, she said.

Rufino Lucas, CEPAD delegate in the Northern Atlantic region said that legislators always forget this region where the basic family food basket costs twice as much as it does on the Pacific because of the high price of fuel.

Professor Gilberto Aguirre, director of the CEPAD program denounced that the majority of green, red, black and other politicians have destroyed the country, increasing poverty and usurping goods for their own benefit.

Pastor Roberto Rojas, president of the Evangelical Alliance of Nicaragua also rejected the tax reform project and announced an energetic statement from Churches because the project will clearly have a negative impact on Nicaragua's poorest communities.

Finally, Pastor Adolfo Sequeira, president of the Inter-Church Center of Theological and Social Studies (CITES) rejected all reform that seeks to increase taxes for people and the Churches.

ALC News Service (Agencia Latinoamericana y Caribeqa de Comunicacisn)