FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Word of Life Missionaries in Hungary and the Changing Tax Situation

Q. Why are missionaries being asked to pay more federal taxes in Hungary?
A. A law was passed by the Hungarian parliament stating that, beginning January 1, 2014, all employees of any foreign company or organization who are on assignment to Hungary will have to pay the Hungarian health care tax and retirement tax if they have lived in Hungary for two years or more. Their employers, although not located in Hungary or earning income in Hungary, will be obligated to pay the employers health care/retirement tax as well. Since our missionaries are legally employed by Word of Life Fellowship, Inc. located in NY, they are included in this law.

Q. Is there any way to continue ministering in Hungary and still avoid this tax?
A. No. The law has effectively closed any possible loopholes that could be used.

Q. How much more will WOL Hungary missionaries will need to pay?
A. The total for all new taxes that will need to be paid is about 22% higher than what our continuing missionaries have budgeted for in the past.

Q. Wouldnt it make more sense to turn the ministry over to nationals, since the cost of keeping missionaries on the field is getting more expensive?
A. In some cases, perhaps. We thank the Lord that the vast majority of our missionaries in Hungary are Hungarian nationals. However, Word of Life Hungary is a unique ministry with much US involvement. We have significant USbased support, English speaking students from twenty-seven different countries who attend the Bible Institute, American interns who serve short term with us, and other US-based work groups, coaches, and volunteers who help with our summer camps and other ministries as well. Because of this, it is essential that we keep at least a minimal number of strategically key American missionaries on the field to, in part, help meet these special needs.

Confused, Concerned, Got Questions? Please, feel free to contact us: Alex Konya Director Word of Life Hungary Call: 011-36-20-773-9698 Email: akonya@eletszava.org Or Kris Stout VP of International Ministries Word of Life Fellowship Call: 518-494-6000 Email: krisstout@wol.org

Q. Does this suggest that the door to proclaiming the Gospel is closing in Hungary or that missionaries are being targeted by the government?
A. No, not at all. Word of Life Hungary is experiencing no restrictions in our freedom and ability to proclaim the Gospel here. The doors remain wide open. In fact, we have more freedom to do so here than believers have in the US. Compared to some other countries in Europe, getting a residency permit to minister in Hungary is a relatively smooth process. Hungary is a safe environment for US missionaries to live and minister in.