Is giving a discount for my services considered Ma’aser?

 

 

Question:

If I’m being chazzan somewhere for yomin noraim, and I’m giving them a discount, can I take from my Ma’aser to make up the difference? For example, say they are paying me $500 and it would usually be worth $1,500 can I keep my next $1,000 in Ma’aser to make the difference?

 

Answer:

Yes, if you normally charge $1500. You may not pay yourself from Ma’aser money for a service which otherwise you would not charge for.

Additionally, even if you usually charge, Maaser must be separated and given. Thus, you should charge them the full price of $1500 and then give them a refund or credit of $1000 using your Ma’aser money. Alternatively, you can give them a donation, using your Ma’aser money, which they can use for this service. Certainly, one may not calculate discounts which were already given in the past as Maaser, if they haven’t intended so when they gave the discount.

Lastly, I would like to point out that you would have to separate Ma’aser from your total income. In this case, this would be the entire fee, including what you would pay yourself from your ma’aser money (i.e., in your example, you should give $150 as Maaser and not just $50).

 

 

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