Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Is it permissible to lie to the inland revenue to avoid paying high income tax as we are self employed and live in the west?
The Light of Creation, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
“I was only sent to perfect noble character.”
[Ahmad, and others]
The Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,
“The one who cheats is not of us.”
[Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, and others]
He also said (peace and blessings be upon him),
“The one who does not fulfill trusts has no faith, and the one who does not fulfill commitments has no religion.”
[Ahmad, with a sound chain of narrators]
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
It is not permitted to cheat and deceive the government in regards to taxes. However, one can take all legal means to minimize one’s taxes.
Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani