Japan's High Court Says Pet Funeral Fees Are Taxable Income To Buddhist Temples

AFP today reports that Japan's Supreme Court has ruled that fees paid to Buddhist monks for pet funerals are not tax exempt income. Growing in popularity, the Jimyoin temple in Aichi offers last rites for animals similar to traditional Buddhist funerals. Pet owners are charged a set fee. Presiding judge Osamu Tsuno wrote that the set prices for the funerals do not have the characteristics of religious donations. and thus are taxable income under the corporate tax law.