Sunday, January 22, 2023

Don't have to change.


"Less than half a million taxpayers have opted for the new exemption-less income tax regime since its rollout,  prompting a review to see if measures are needed in the budget to promote its adoption, people familiar with the matter said." ET. Out of "75.2 million income tax returns have been filed in the current assessment year." It's easy to understand why. "Individuals and HUFs (Hindu undivided families) can opt for the Existing Tax Regime or the New Tax Regime with lower rate of taxation (u/s 115 BAC of the Income Tax Act). The taxpayer opting for the concessional rates in the New Tax Regime will not be allowed certain Exemptions and Deductions (like 80C, 80D, 80TTB, HRA) available in the existing tax regime." incometax.gov.in. Income up to Rs 2,50,000 in a financial year does not attract any income tax in both regimes, but after that there are 3 slabs in the old regime while there are six in the new one, and because the slabs are so narrow a small income will send an individual into a higher slab. Also, every year taxable items, such as capital gains, and tax rates are changed in the budget. The new regime could therefore be a trap. Middle class "Households have about a third of what they earn taken away at lifestyle levels that are modest in comparison with their counterparts in well-off countries. In the US, for example, where the top income tax rate is 37%, a 32% rate kicks in only once an assessee rakes in roughly over $170,000 (Rs 13.94 million) a year, which affords a cushy life even by American standards of comfort with the result that professionals who make, say, $85,000 (Rs 6.97 million) and live middle-class lives do not feel a tax pinch." Mint. Then there is tax terrorism. Every budget sets an imaginary target on tax officials, ET, who then resort to strong-arm tactics on taxpayers, leading to disputes. "In 2017, the income tax law was amended to weaken the checks on tax authorities," wrote Suyash Rai. They can now conduct searches and seize assets without giving any reason, thus operating like historical secret police forces (toptenz.net). Authorities are successful in over 50% of cases of tax disputes in OECD countries. "In 2020, the average for 47 jurisdictions included was 66%. In India, this was only 7.9%." To enhance job creation, the government has introduced Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes providing incentives to increase production in manufacturing. wikipedia. The budget should extend the PLI schemes to more sectors, enhance the "Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products scheme", concessional taxes on research, and funds for sustainable development, wrote Arun Chawla, Director General, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry. It is impossible to invest and create wealth if the budget keeps changing tax regimes every year to penalise hard work. Perhaps, a printed budget should be presented to Parliament for debate and amendments, like in the US. To take away the grandstanding by the Finance Minister. Sadly, they prefer coercion.  

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