Qums total payable
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How Qums Is Worked Out
1. Pick your date. Every year on the same day, you look at what you have.
2. Add up the leftover. Cash, bank money, investments, unused gold and anything bought from income that you have not used yet.
3. Take away what is not liable. Money you already paid Qums on, inheritance and mahr, plus gifts for followers of Ayatollah Khamenei. Loans and debts are never taken away.
4. Pay one fifth. 20% of what remains is your Qums. Half is Sahm e Imam and half is Sahm e Sadat.
5. Start fresh. What is left after paying is now khums paid. Next year, enter it in step 3 so it is not taxed again.
Your Qums, on one page.
Qums explained on a single page: the three steps, a worked example in rupees and the key rulings. Save it, print it or share it with your family. Your own result downloads in the same crisp style.
- Three steps, no maths
- A worked Qums example in rupees
- Key rulings summarised from sistani.org
- Your own PDF with Sahm e Imam, Sahm e Sadat and next steps
Sample PDF
A Sample Qums Calculation
Ali is a salaried professional. His Qums date is 1 April. He follows Ayatollah Sistani. Here is what he holds on that day and what he pays.
| What Ali holds on 1 April | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cash at home | ₹20,000 |
| Bank savings and an FD | ₹3,50,000 |
| Mutual funds bought from salary | ₹1,50,000 |
| Gold coins, not worn | ₹60,000 |
| Money a friend owes him | ₹25,000 |
| Unused groceries bought this year | ₹5,000 |
| Total he holds | ₹6,10,000 |
| Take away | |
| Savings he already paid Qums on last year | − ₹2,00,000 |
| Inheritance from his father, unspent | − ₹50,000 |
| Total taken away | − ₹2,50,000 |
| Surplus liable to Qums | ₹3,60,000 |
| Qums payable, 20% | ₹72,000 |
| Sahm e Imam, half | ₹36,000 |
| Sahm e Sadat, half | ₹36,000 |
Not counted. His flat, car, phone, furniture and his wife's jewellery she wears. These are in use.
Gift note. Ali also received ₹30,000 as a gift that is still in his bank. Following Ayatollah Sistani it stays in, as gifts count as income. A follower of Ayatollah Khamenei would remove it, and pay ₹66,000 instead.
Next year. After paying, ₹4,88,000 becomes Qums paid savings (₹2,00,000 + ₹3,60,000 − ₹72,000). Next April he enters the part still with him in step 3.
Things You Do Not Pay On
- The house you live in
- Your car and household furniture
- Clothes, phones and items in daily use
- Jewellery worn as is customary
- Money spent on this year's needs, gifts and travel
- Mahr and normal inheritance
Within reason and suited to your standing. Extravagant spending is not deducted.
Common Questions
What is Qums (Khums)?
Qums, also written Khums, means one fifth. In Shia Islam it is a yearly obligation of 20% on the surplus of your income, meaning what is left over after your own and your family's reasonable yearly expenses. Its basis is verse 41 of Surah al Anfal.
When do I calculate it?
Once a year, on your Qums date. For a working person this is usually the anniversary of the day they first started earning. You can pick a date and keep it every year.
Do I pay Qums on my house, car or daily items?
No. The home you live in, your car, furniture, clothes and other things you use, bought within reason for your needs, are not counted. Qums looks at savings and unused items, not things in use.
Is there Qums on gifts?
This is one place where maraji differ. According to the rulings of Ayatollah Sistani, gifts are income and are liable if unspent at year end. According to Ayatollah Khamenei, gifts are generally not liable. Pick your marja in the calculator and confirm with his office.
Is there Qums on inheritance or mahr?
Generally no. Mahr (dowry) and normal inheritance are exempt. Profit made later from inherited or khums paid money can be liable, so ask your marja about your case.
I already paid Qums last year. Do I pay again on the same savings?
No. Money you already paid Qums on is not taxed again. Only the new surplus, and any growth when sold, is counted. Enter last year's khums paid savings in step 3 so it is removed.
Who receives Qums?
Half is Sahm e Imam, given to your marja or his authorised representative. Half is Sahm e Sadat, given to poor believing Sayyids, usually with the permission or through the office of your marja.
Do loans and debts reduce my Qums?
Not in this calculator. Whoever you follow, it does not take away any loan or debt, which keeps the result on the safe side. Some rulings allow limited deductions, such as a debt for the current year's living costs (Islamic Laws, Rulings 1803 and 1804, sistani.org). If you think that applies to you, ask your marja's office before you pay.
Is this calculator a fatwa?
No. It is a planning tool built on commonly published rules. Every marja's office answers personal questions. If anything in your situation is unusual, such as business capital, loans, property or first time payment, ask them before you pay.
This calculator follows commonly published Qums rules, including the rulings of Ayatollah Sistani and Ayatollah Khamenei on the points shown. It is a planning aid, not a fatwa. Rulings differ between maraji and on details such as business capital, loans, property and first time payment. Please confirm your Qums with the office or authorised representative of your marja before paying. Further reading: Rules of Khums, sistani.org and Khums, a brief guide, The World Federation.
Why Qums Matters and How It Is Calculated
Short summaries of the rulings this calculator follows, from the official website of the office of Ayatollah Sistani. Tap any card to read the full ruling.
Qums Explained in English and Urdu
Popular talks by Shia scholars and organisations on YouTube. Rulings in a talk follow the speaker's marja, so check with yours.
English
Urdu
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