Imposing income tax on clergy members is expected to be implemented next year as initially planned.
 
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon made no particular mention of the clergy tax when he unveiled new tax reform measures on Wednesday. A ministry official said it means taxes will be collected from priests, monks and other religious leaders.

The idea of having those working in faith-related capacities pay income taxes was first introduced in 2012 by then Finance Minister Park Jae-wan.
 
Though the measure became law in December 2015, its implementation was delayed two years due to fears of opposition from religious groups. Rumors swirled that the implementation could be further delayed after Kim Jin-pyo, the head of President Moon Jae-in’s de facto transition team, made a comment about putting off the clergy tax for two more years.
  
National Tax Service Commissioner Han Sung-hee said earlier during his confirmation hearing that he was not thinking of further delaying levying income tax on clergy members.