All ministers of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa are to meet today to discuss their next step in a tax boycott.
Photo: RNZ Pacific/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
They have been summoned by the Elders Committee to decide what action to take after the apparent failure of their boycott of a new government tax on church ministers.
The meeting comes as the government starts to prosecute ministers for failing to file tax returns.
A CCCS minister told KHJ News, on condition of anonymity, that the ministers hope the meeting would clear up confusion about the next course of action and some direction on the legal front.
The first eight ministers to be charged are all from parishes in the Apia area and includes at least one church elder.
Another source says legal advisers have already advised CCCS ministers to change ownership of any land holdings as well as vehicles and bank accounts after the Ministry for Revenue threatened to confiscate personal property.
He said the government's action had made them more steadfast on their course of action.