Paying Income Taxe in America
Fatwa No: 82251

Question

Is the income tax we are supposed to pay in America haram?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Living in America or any other non-Muslim country is prohibited as the Prophet said: “I am innocent from any Muslim who lives among the polytheists.” [Abu Daawood]

Therefore, a person may live among them only for a dire necessity or a genuine religious reason.

Hence, if one is living there for these reasons, he may pay the taxes imposed on him. If he does not pay them, this may cause harm to him and he will not achieve the purpose for which he is living there. Therefore, paying taxes in America is permissible to commit the lesser of two evils and repel the greater harm or disadvantage.

Finally, it should be noted that a Muslim should avoid giving them any chance to humiliate him. But avoiding it by using legal means is the safest solution.

Allah knows best.

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