The Church invites to mark the X in the Renta as a "social shield" of aidChurch support for 4 million people in Xtantos 2023 campaignCampaign kicks off in Spain XtantosNothing is more convincing than the truth".The Spanish Episcopal Conference has communicated that in the last income tax campaign there was a notable increase in the number of declarations that allocate the 0.7% of the IRPF to the Catholic Church. In total, 9 million taxpayers checked this box, which represents an increase of 208,841 declarations with respect to the previous year. This growth resulted in a historical collection of 382 million Euros, 6.6% more than in the previous year. 2022.
Although the percentage of declarations that included the Church box decreased slightly to 31.29% (half a point less than the previous year), the overall increase in the number of declarations filed in Spain explains this significant economic increase. This financial support represents approximately 23% of the resources available to the dioceses, which use these funds to maintain their pastoral, educational and social activity, as well as to preserve their extensive cultural and religious heritage.
Support for the Church
The Episcopal Conference has underlined the importance of this support in a context of growing social demand and has emphasized that, since the reform of the system in 2007, there has never been such a high number of contributors in favor of the Church. This result reflects that the Church generates a remarkable confidence in a third of Spanish citizens.
By autonomous communities, the increases in Madrid and Andalusia stand out, where citizen commitment has been particularly notable. The Episcopal Conference thanked the citizens who, with this voluntary gesture, reinforce the initiatives of the Church, especially those aimed at the most vulnerable groups and the promotion of Christian values in different areas of daily life.
Use of money
The funds raised enable the Church to support a broad network of social services, ranging from soup kitchens for people in vulnerable situations to international cooperation projects. They also finance cultural and educational activities, such as values education in schools and the maintenance of historical monuments, which are an essential part of the national heritage.
However, the Church's tax revenues not only support its many social projects, but are also essential for the support of the clergy and the preservation of worship. These funds guarantee the salaries of priests, the maintenance of temples and places of prayer, and the celebration of liturgical activities that are fundamental to the spiritual life of millions of the faithful. This financial support allows the Church to continue to be a cultural, historical and spiritual reference in society, in addition to its commitment to those most in need.
Transparency
On the page Xtantos website the results of the 2024 Income Tax Campaign (IRPF 2023) have been published, presented in a clear and visual way. It includes a thematic video that follows the path of the tax allocation, an interactive map with data by Autonomous Communities and five rankings that highlight the highest allocation rates. It also shows the impact of these contributions on those most in need. For its part, the portal I donate to my church facilitates direct donations to parishes, supporting social initiatives in an immediate manner.
Among other innovative initiatives, the Spanish Episcopal Conference organized the campaign "A trip for so many", in which 15 people who had not marked the "X" of the Income Tax collection, made a bus trip visiting what the economic contributions that arrive through taxes are destined to.
