NCRI – Mullah Ebrahim Raisi, a presidential candidate who is the trustee of the “Astan Qods Razavi” (the super wealthy administrative organization which manages the Imam Reza shrine and various institutions belonging to it), in response to Hassan Rouhani said that Astan Qods Razavi Since the establishment of the regime according to Khomeini’s decree do not pay taxes and current supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, has extended that command until today.
Ebrahim Raisi in order to justify non-payment of taxes by his Institution claimed that all revenues of this religious institution comes from donations and endowment funds and Astan Quds is paying much more than the tax it should pay the government to needy people of the country and as such actually is helping the government. Financial experts are estimating assets of Astan Qods Razavi at least $15 billion.
In addition to Astan Qods Razavi, none of the other governmental foundations under direct control of Iran’s supreme leader or companies affiliated with IRGC which are controlling 80% of country’s economy are not paying any taxes.
Hassan Rouhani during the debates of presidential candidates show asked Ebrahim Raisi: “If tax payment is according the law, why the institution under your control is not paying it”? Reuters has reported that the value of assets only under Khamenei’s control which are exempt from paying taxes are estimated at $95 billion and assets of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards movable and immovable properties are estimated to be at least $200 billion.
