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| The church tax isn't necessarily an insignificant amount - depending on one's situation it can run into the many thousands. Quite a sum to have to fork over to an institution whose beliefs, values, and goals may conflict with one's own.
I am a sometime Catholic, and don't earn a penny here. My husband is very much not religious, and he earns all the family income. Because of the way the families are taxed (at least in SZ) , if I were to register as Catholic we'd get hit for the full church tax - meaning my non-Catholic husband would be forced to pay his hard earned cash to a church where he is not even welcome.
So, we have registered as non-religious. To play fair, I don't go to the local church. If I feel the occasional need to tend to my soul, I go to Mass at the monastery in the next valley, making whatever voluntary donation I see fit. (They are a far more open and welcoming bunch anyway.)
As for the charity aspect - I prefer to donate directly to the causes I support. No need for the middleman. 
In the end it's a matter of conscience, I guess. But one should be sure one fully understands the financial implications of church membership before signing on the dotted line. | |
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That's the way I think is best. Register as non religious then just donate directly when you feel like you want.
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| Two points:
1) Generally, there are only a few taxed "religions". One is the Catholic Church (big C), the other is Swiss Protestant. I'm not sure about Jewish, etc., being an Anglican. Anglicans do not have to pay tax.
2) A friend of my husband's ticked the "no tax" form when he moved here. He then got married (didn't change his tax form), had kids and had them baptized in the Catholic Church. They were more than happy to do the baptism, but then sent the man a bill for 5 yrs worth of back church taxes. Good times! | |
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OMG! Really?!
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| A swiss citicien in the kanton Zürich who wishes to leave the protestant church, must write a letter to the local priest`s office. You tell them you want not to be a member of the church because of some reason.
In my case, i got a rude expressed answer back without being sorry of my wish or further efforts keeping me in the church. With the instruction that i will not get a abdiction or a churches blessed funeral.
That letter you send to the municipal administration, every time you move you need to hand out this letter to your new municipal administration.
Businesses are obliged to pay church tax (kanton Zürich) it does not matter what religion the business keepers are.
But you can claim that your business must be blessed 2times a year and occasional church service held in your business. I am not joking. But you can not force your employees to atempt unless they are paid in this time.
As a beliver you can deduct tax on your tax declaration for prayers you do, your priest will you hand out a dvotions meter for that. | |
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OMG! That was rude saying that about your funeral. Yeah that's totally different from how it is in America none of that is necessary at all. You just join a church when/if you feel like it then leave when/if you feel like it no taxes or anything like that involved, no official letters of leaving a church or anything. You give when/if you want and that's it. I see. This is interesting to hear how others do it differently. For the way I am, it's best to just mark as non religious.
Then if I'm in the mood to go to church from time to time I'll just donate something if I want at that time. I probably won't attend at all until my Swiss German gets better anyway.
So non religious is better for me.
I don't really
have to go to church I don't really
need to go in that way. This is interesting.