The government has promised that the real estate tax will be that last tax in the package of measures. It will substitute the contribution for construction land. The public has already been acquainted with a few draft proposals. All have been met with disapproval and with the announcement of protests by farmers. The fact is that all real estate owners will have to pay more than they have until now.

In Monday's interview on TV Slovenia, Prime Minister Alenka Bratušek revealed that all real estates will be taxed. She explained that the word "all" also encompassed religious buildings. There will be different levels of taxation.

The tax would threaten the work of the parishes
The biggest Slovenian religious group, the Catholic Church, is worried about the announced taxation of all sacral buildings. The Catholic Church owns 2.366 churches.
"The Slovenian Bishops' Conference is closely following the passing of the new law on real estate tax with great concern. Given statements about the taxation of premises for religious practice apart from the taxation of sacral buildings is very alarming. We are convinced that the introduction of such a law would restrict religious freedom and the freedom of religious groups in the Republic of Slovenia. The introduction of such a tax would threaten the work of our parishes and institutions, as well as the work our catholic educational, cultural and charity organizations" said the press office of the Slovenian Bishops' Conference (SBC) to MMC.

The SBC stressed that the tax could affect the whole Church. "Our believers support the work of the Church. The introduction of the real estate tax will with no doubt be an additional financial burden on our believers and religious workers" the SBC emphasized.

What kind of taxes does the Catholic Church pay at the moment?
On its website the SBC says that church institutions, as legal entities in Slovenia, pay taxes for all their construction land, except for their churches which are sacral buildings. They also pay taxes when selling real estate, contributions for the maintenance of forest roads as owners of forests, a mandatory member's fee for the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia as a land owner, and VAT when purchasing equipment, renovating property etc.