Claiming Tax Deduction for Zakat Payments

By Mufti Muhammad Kadwa
Posted: 6 Sha'ban 1423, 13 October 2002

CHECKED AND APPROVED: Mufti Ebrahim Desai


Q.) In North America I have seen many people when they give Zakat money to some Islamic Organization then they ask for the receipt of that amount and submit that receipt with their Income Tax returns to get some money back from Government because by paying that Zakat their annual income of that year will be less and then Government will apply less tax on their income. I am just wondering whether doing like this is allowed in Islam. [Abdul Qayyum Khan, Ottawa, Canada]

A.) Zakat is a donation. A person may claim this as a tax-deductible donation. There is nothing wrong with this. And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best