Concealing Income to Avoid/Reduce Taxes (Muslim lands)

Question: Is it permissible, according to Sharī’ah, to conceal one’s actual income from the tax authorities? Sheikh Albāni raḥimahullāh: It is permissible and impermissible depending on the consequences. If concealing income leads to harm or defamation of Islam and Muslims, then it is not permissible. This is from one angle. From another angle, if we open this door, the nation's interests will become disrupted, because a portion of these taxes are necessary. Although today’s rulers have made a grave mistake by abandoning the implementation of Islamic principles in the collection of wealth, we - as individuals - should not compound this error with another mistake. We should not expand our efforts to evade taxes and injustices. If this door is opened, it will lead to chaos and widespread corruption on the earth. Therefore, we must approach this issue with great caution and careful deliberation. This is my view.