Most-asked question
Is it permissible to avoid paying tax?
137 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 7 South African Darul Iftas (AskImam, Mufti Online, Azaadville, Ibn Masood, Jamiat KZN, MUBZ and others). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.
Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.
Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.
What the Darul Iftas say
“According to the SARS (South African Revenue Service) website, the estate duty is 20% of an estate exceeding R3.5 million. If the estate is R30 million or more, the estate duty will be 25%.”
“According to the SARS (South African Revenue Service) website, the estate duty is 20% of an estate exceeding R3.5 million.If the estate is R30 million or more, the estate duty will be 25%.”
“Sadaqah is something you give voluntarily out of love of Allah Ta’ala and zeal for Thawaab without anything in return. However if one is obliged to pay tax to the government and makes Niyyah for sadaqah it will be correct.”
“The money one receives from the government is not the same money one had given in charity. Hence, the reward of the charity will not be decreased. One can regard this money that he receives from the government as taking back his own money that he paid to them in taxes.”
Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.
Read the fatawa
- Deception In Tax Ibn Masood · 6 Apr 2026
- Accounting services to clients who wish to evade taxes - Is this permissible? AskImam · 28 Aug 2025
- Paying Income Tax With The Intention Of Sadaqah Azaadville · 6 Aug 2025
- Is the reward of charity decreased if I claim tax back on my charity? Mufti Online · 16 Sep 2024
- Submitting a Section 18A Tax Certificate for Tax Rebate MUBZ · 5 Sep 2024
- Taking out a Life Insurance Policy to avoid Estate Duty Taxes Jamiat KZN · 22 Jun 2020
- Section 18A tax deductions and zakah MJC · 7 Sep 2023
- Using Insurance Funds To Pay Taxes Ibn Masood · 31 Jul 2024
- Offsetting income tax with interest - Is this permissible? AskImam · 12 Oct 2024
- Tax Rebate On Zakaat Azaadville · 27 Oct 2021
- Clarification: Will the Vat amount be included in the zakaat? Mufti Online · 16 Feb 2023
- Paying rates and taxes with interest funds Ibn Masood · 6 Dec 2021
- Is it permissible to take a loan in order to avoid tax? AskImam · 4 Oct 2024
- Utility Bills (Rates And Taxes) On A Rented Property Azaadville · 11 Oct 2021
- Taking out a Life Insurance Policy to avoid Estate Duty Taxes AskImam · 26 Mar 2020
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