At this time each year I’m often asked, “should I tithe off my tax return?”
Well, it depends on how you’ve already been tithing throughout the year. This isn’t a full treatment of the practice of tithing. But in summary the Bible says to tithe off your increase or revenue. The definition of “revenue” is the top line figure before deductions are made or “gross income”. So those who tithe are looking at the top line of the pay stub, not the bottom.
So let’s assume you’re already tithing, but want to know if you should tithe off your tax return.
If you already tithe from your gross income during the year, then you have already tithed the full amount and won’t need to tithe from your tax return. You can still give, but your tithe has been met.
If you do not tithe from your gross income, but from your net income or take home pay, you may want to tithe from your tax return. If you give as you can throughout the year, you may want to tithe fro your tax return. In this case you haven’t given 10% of your income already and deciding to give 10% of your tax return is appropriate. Those who give 10% of their net revenue regularly are generous givers, though they do not fully tithe in the broadest sense of the term.
Remember that the tithe is an act of worship, an expression of faith, thanksgiving and obedience.
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