Law exempts churches from sales tax

“We are focused on continuing to eliminate barriers that affect the revenue of these institutions and reduce their opportunities to do their social work,” the governor said.

The law shields churches from paying the IVU on sales, including fundraisers for capital improvements, and activities directly related to their ministries. It also covers charitable works and services related to their social welfare programs.

The IVU exemption also applies to:

— bookstores, cafeterias and stores operated in or for schools.

— retirement homes

— bookstores, cafeterias, flower shops and stores operated in or for hospitals and funeral homes.

“We didn’t want this tax to continue affecting the limited resources with which these institutions work to help the people of Puerto Rico with their efforts and community service,” Fortuño said.

The governor also issued an executive order creating a new Chaplains Volunteer Corps to provide counseling and spiritual guidance to citizens during emergency situations. The corps will be assigned to the State Emergency Management Agency.

The governor, accompanied by first lady Lucé Vela, acknowledged faith-based organizations for their roles in a recent program for citizens to surrender firearms.

“Thanks to their help we were able to get nearly 2,000 guns and more than 100,000 rounds of ammunition off the streets, saving countless lives in the process,” he said.