CAIRO — Egypt’s State Council Judges Club and the Administrative Prosecution Authority Judges Club each held meetings Sept. 14 to discuss changes from the tax authority that will increase income taxes on Egypt’s judges, a judicial source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity.

The Supreme Judicial Council held a meeting on the same day in which its head, Abdallah Amin Asr, said he understands the woes and interests of the judges. He promised to be in contact with the Ministry of Finance but thus far has been unable to get the tax increase repealed. The Egyptian Ministry of Finance issued a decision June 17 whereby judges’ salaries would be subject to a higher income tax, raising the ire in judicial circles.

The judicial source commented on this decision, saying that according to a June circular issued by the Ministry of Finance concerning income tax, the standard 22.5% tax levied on judges’ incomes would now be deducted from their gross salary, rather than from their basic salary as previously done. Thus, any bonuses, perks or additional payments would now be subject to tax. The decision went into effect in early September.

The same source said the judges have agreed to keep their communications with the government calm and to communicate with the relevant authorities.