Praise be to Allaah.

It is not permissible for the taxes which people pay on their wealth to be counted as part of the zakaat which they are obliged to pay. The obligatory zakaat must be paid separately and spent in the ways prescribed by Allaah in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning): “Al-sadaqaat (here it means zakaat) are only for the fuqara’ (poor) and al-masaakeen (the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allaah’s Cause (i.e., for those fighting in the holy battles), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything)…” [al-Tawbah 9:60]. And Allaah knows best.