By Blessings Preston Memena

Mzuzu, April 21, Mana: Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Synod of Livingstonia has hailed government for removing Pay as You Earn (PAYE) tax which church ministers have been remitting to Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA).

A letter dated April 12, 2024 signed by MRA Deputy Commissioner General, Henry Ngutwa, indicates that synod reverends, clergies and pastors are not supposed to be subjected to PAYE because they are not salaried but only get stipends.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Saturday, Lingstonia Synod General Secretary, Revered William Tembo, commended government for the intervention saying it will contribute to the synod’s development and improved livelihood of church ministers.

According to Rev. Tembo, the development will address some of the challenges the ministers were facing hence the synod has all the reasons to celebrate it.

"The Synod started engaging government on this issue three years ago. We are happy that government has listened to our call," he said.

Reverend Berlings Chiumbo of Saint Paul Congregation of Lilongwe Presbytery under Livingstonia Synod said the development will improve ministers’ livelihoods and that of their families.

"This has brought happiness to every minister and pastor within the Synod. It has been an old request to government from our Synod. We thank God and our Synod Secretariat for this," said Rev, Chiumbo.

However, the letter says the tax removal does not extend to individuals working in various arms and departments for the Synod.

Livingstonia Synod has about 350 ministers at both the Synod Secretariat and in about 280 congregations in its 34 presbyteries.

The Synod, appealed to government to consider removing tax which pastors working under it were paying every month, saying it was the only synod whose pastors were subjected to.