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Tag: charity commission
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On this day: Scientology rejected by the Charity Commission, 26 years on
On this day 26 years ago, the UK Charity Commission rejected Scientology’s application for charity status, concluding it “does not benefit the public.” The ruling dealt a major blow for Scientology in their efforts to claim legitimacy through government recognition and juxtaposed their success with gaining IRS tax exemption in the United States 8 years…
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Scientology’s failed bid for UK charity status: 25 years on
25 years ago today, the Church of Scientology were rejected tax exemption by the United Kingdom’s Charity Commission. To mark the occasion, we revisit the 49-page ruling and comment on how it has impacted Scientology’s UK operations over the last 25 years.
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Charity Commission: Scientology cannot appeal tax-exempt status rejection
The UK Charity Commission has today confirmed its decision to refuse Scientology tax exempt status cannot now be appealed, upholding its view that “the Church of Scientology is not established for the public benefit“ Following a Freedom of Information Act request made by Scientology Business, the Charity Commission explained that due to a statute of…
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10 years of Scientology’s UK Financial Accounts
Since being rejected by the Charity Commission in 1999, Scientology has operated in the United Kingdom through an Australian-registered charity called COSRECI (Church of Scientology Religious Education College, Inc). As such, their revenue is considered ‘foreign income’ and is exempt from income tax. However, due to its lack of tax exemption in the UK, Scientology…
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Why UK Tax Exemption is so Important for Scientology
Since being rejected by the Charity Commission in 1999, Scientology has been required to pay taxes on its activities in the UK. This includes business rates on its properties, VAT (sales tax) and corporation tax, which is currently set at 25% of annual profits. As things stand, Scientology operates through an organisation named COSRECI, which…
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What the 2023 UK Court Ruling Means for Scientology
In 2013, the Church of Scientology won a landmark case in the UK’s Supreme Court and was authorised to conduct marriages at it’s London Org building at 146 Queen Victoria Street. The ruling redefined religion in British law and gave Scientology the freedom to conduct religious ceremonies at it’s UK premises, despite not being recognised…
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